With Pennsylvania’s fall leaves changing fast, here’s where to find peak color in October

• By Erin Negley / LNP | LancasterOnline

Pennsylvania’s fall foliage season has an early start. Luckily, last week’s rain has slowed the transformation.

Still, in a few counties, the show was so short, conditions went from “approaching peak” to “still nice, but declining” in one week.

Six counties throughout the state have reached peak color, according to the latest foliage report, issued Thursday, Oct. 2.

Bradford, Cameron, Elk, Somerset, Susquehanna and Wayne counties have reached peak color. Parts of central Pennsylvania and Southeastern Pennsylvania are approaching peak color. Four counties in northern Pennsylvania (Clinton, McKean, Potter and Tioga) are still nice but declining. Through the rest of the state, including Lancaster County, foliage is just starting to change.

Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources started weekly foliage reports a week earlier than usual because of dry conditions.

Fall color is expected to be vibrant but thanks to dry weather, the leaves will change early and put on a shorter-than-usual show, according to the agency.

To find the best areas to see fall color, state forest staff suggest:

• Bradford County: Loyalsock State Forest, including overlooks such as High Knob Overlook

• Cameron County: Elk State Forest and the Autumn Festival, Saturday, Oct. 4, at Sizerville State Park and nearby East Cowley and Crooked Run Road

• Somerset County: Forbes State Forest, including Jones Mill Run Road

Closer to Lancaster County, they pointed out:

• Northern Dauphin and Lebanon counties on Blue, Second, Broad and Peters mountains

More areas with fall color are in the latest report.

The weekly reports will be published each Thursday for at least six weeks this fall.