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New Jersey Fall Foliage

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New Jersey Fall Foliage.

New Jersey Fall Foliage Reports, maps and resources to help plan fall foliage hikes and scenic drives.

Check out the New Jersey and the Northeast Foliage Resources below.

For our fall hike recommendations see Best Fall Foliage Hikes in New Jersey.

Need even more hike ideas? Try our interactive Hike Finder map – now with a 🍁foliage map overlay🍁 during the season in order to choose hikes with the best chance of fall color, updated weekly in season.

Also check out the book Best Easy Day Hikes New Jersey for a nice selection of easy day hikes.

Peak Foliage in NJ for 2024

*Average New Jersey peak fall color is October 19 through 29*

While there are average times for color change, it really depends on several variables like temperature and rainfall.

Trees at higher elevations turn color before ones at lower elevations. Leaves change first along water so head to areas with lakes, ponds, or rivers.

Leaves usually change color starting from Maine and higher elevations of New England and then work their way south.

New Jersey fall foliage generally starts in the northwest corner at High Point and in the Highlands region in north central, progresses to the central part of the state, and finally to the south and the coastal regions.

This means that leaves could be past peak in North Jersey but still barely changed in South Jersey.

Use the info here to get in as much color as you can, it doesn’t last long!

** Follow @njhiking on socials for more photos weekly. Foliage Resources are below the report section **

11/8/24… Final Report

This weekend and into next week… Color is still out there but trees are quickly losing their leaves, and it’s getting harder to suggest hikes with a good amount of color.

The best chance for any color is to look towards the southwestern corner and possibly the eastern coast but expect more leaves on the ground than on the trees.

Hopefully everyone enjoyed wonderful fall hikes this year! Don’t miss our Gifts for Hikers list to take care of the outdoorsy people on your holiday list …or to treat yourself!

For our fellow year-round hikers – or anyone looking to be – we post hike content all year to our socials and in our email newsletter. Also check out our Winter Hiking pages:

Large red leaf.

11/5/24…

Currently… The season is winding down but color can still be found toward the coasts – from Monmouth County (scroll a bit for photos from Tatum Park on 11/2) down and around.

Basically, the same suggestions we had on Friday except that any leaves on the trees in the northern half of the state are going be leaning quickly into the brown tones.

Overall the east coast and southwest corner of New Jersey are your best bets for lingering color. This week will again have a few more unseasonably warm days, so if you can get out… do so!

If you want to venture further out… color should also be in southeast Pennsylvania, eastern Maryland, all of Delaware. These areas traditionally peak towards the end of New Jersey’s season and are often overlooked (and we don’t have hike guides for these areas, so no specific locations to offer).

Potentials for color, in and around NJ (we make no guarantees!):

🍁Be sure to check out the foliage overlay on our interactive Hike Finder!!🍁 Choose hikes with the best chance of fall color. Zoom out for east coast foliage road trip locations.

New Jersey Fall Foliage 2024 map graphic for 11/5/24.

11/2/24…

Quick update – upper Monmouth County does indeed have color. There are, of course, bare branches and plenty of leaf drop as usual at this point but the sun is lighting up the color nicely. There are also some unchanged green trees so this region may work into next week too.

We hiked Tatum Park this morning but this general area should have similar level of color potential: Hartshorne Woods / Huber Woods / Henry Hudson Trail / Cheesequake: Green Trail / Yellow, Blue, and Green /  White Trail and Arrowsmith and possibly more south of this, see list for 11/1.

Looking up at yellow foliage on tall trees.
Field of grasses with yellow and red tones.

Tatum had a mix of bright yellow foliage and some unchanged green in there as well, this area might have lingering color for another week plus.

Yellow and green foliage on a trail.

11/1/24…

This weekend and into next week… The best chance for color is still towards the coasts. Possibly color lingering along the Palisades (sources often conflict at this point on this one) and then along the eastern coast of Jersey (potential focus on upper Monmouth County) to the southern tip in Cumberland and Cape May counties.

The southwest corner of NJ will likely be last to fully turn – western parts of Salem, Gloucester, Camden, Burlington.

Though even much of that the state is technically past peak there’s still plenty of color still on the trees. But realize that the leaf drop is very fast at this point, so it will be hard to get a full color display anywhere.

The forecast for this weekend is AGAIN looking to be sunny and dry and with nice, but more seasonable, temperatures. Get that color before it’s totally gone! And perhaps some more cider donuts.

Potentials for color, in and around NJ (we make no guarantees!):

Further out… New York: Harriman/Bear Mountain is at peak to past peak while the Gunks region is past peak. Pennsylvania: Southeast and south central is peak but moving past. Wissahickon Gorge or Ridley Creek might be potentials.

Even further out…north: All of New Hampshire and Vermont are past peak but there may be pockets of color.

Even further out…south: Look to eastern Maryland for peak color while western past with a bit of color still. West Virginia is peak, with the higher elevation past peak. Virginia is at peak with the higher elevation past, while the eastern most area is near peak.

10/28/24…

Currently… The best chance for peak color is to look towards the coasts, all the way around – from the Palisades down to the southern tip in Cumberland and Cape May counties, and back up the east coast to Burlington Co.

Northern third still has color but is quickly dropping off – expect bright color on some trees mixed with totally bare trees. Inland areas in central and southern NJ range from peak to past peak.

Again, just want to point out that “past peak” doesn’t mean leafless trees, just that all the leaves have turned and the color may no longer be at its very best or there is significant drop (therefore some color is on the ground instead of above).

Normally by this time in the season Jersey would have had a rain or wind storm… or three… so we’ve lucked out from that stand point and there’s still a lot of color to enjoy.

Sun and warm temperatures are AGAIN forecasted for this week at least through Thursday (and we’ve got a page on Halloween Hikes in NJ if you need ideas) and possibly another nice weekend. Unreal! Get out if you can.

Potentials for color, in and around NJ (we make no guarantees!):

New Jersey Fall Foliage 2024 map graphic for 10/29/24.

10/27/24…

Manasquan Reservoir – Monmouth County. Lots of nice bright color along the trails, a little green, and some thinned from leaf drop.

Perimeter trail at Manasquan Reservoir with fall foliage.
Trail bridge surrounded by colorful leaves.

The water level in the reservoir was, of course, low due to the drought conditions the state is experiencing. Colors were a bit muted when view at the edge.

Manasquan Reservoir.

10/25/24…

This weekend and into next week… The peak color is quickly spreading across the state now. Generally, most areas are at peak or near peak except for more moderate color on coastal regions (which normally lag a little behind inland).

We hiked the always epic Mt. Tammany this morning then did a scenic drive back (more on that below) and have updated our report from yesterday.

The most northern areas of NJ have color but are moving past peak with leaf drop – you’ve probably noticed leaves cascading all around while out and about in Jersey this week. The central section of southern NJ is also moving past peak.

This a good time to point out that “past peak” doesn’t mean totally bare trees, just that all the leaves have turned and the color may no longer be at its very best. People often give up on the fall color once north NJ hits peak… but there’s still plenty of color throughout New Jersey still.

So we’ve got a big list of suggestions for fall color this weekend. Color should continue into next week in many places, especially if we don’t have rain or wind events, but expect an increasing amount of leaves on the ground.

This week’s forecast is AGAIN looking to be perfect for being outside: sunny and 55-60 degrees. We can’t recall an autumn with such a solid stretch of pleasant sunny weather with nice Saturdays AND Sundays. Take advantage!!

Potentials for color, in and around NJ (we make no guarantees!):

Further out… New York: The Gunks region and Harriman/Bear Mountain is at peak, while Catskills and Adirondacks are past peak. Pennsylvania: southern Poconos is at peak, central is peak but soon will be moving past, and north is past.

Even further out…north: all of Maine is past peak. Vermont is mostly past but still has some color. New Hampshire is a mix of peak (Lakes region, Merrimack Valley) and past peak color.

Even further out…south: Central Maryland is at peak, eastern is moderate, and west is past. West Virginia is near and peak, with the higher elevation past peak. Virginia mountains are at peak with the higher elevation past, while central and east area is moderate color with a lot of green.

10/25/24 – Mt. Tammany

Worthington S.F. / Delaware Water Gap Nat. Rec. Area – Warren County, NJ.
The Delaware Water Gap is nowhere near the state of Delaware, as many people often believe. At the border of New Jersey and Pennsylvania, the Delaware River has cut through the Kittatinny Ridge leaving a large gap with Mt. Tammany on the New Jersey side, and Mt. Minsi on the Pennsylvania side.

This is THE classic Jersey hike and one we’ve done a zillion times. While the color here is technically past peak due to some browning leaves and leaf drop – it was still pretty glorious.

Hike it>>> You can use our Mt. Tammany hike page or if try our enhanced Mt. Tammany guide that features an easy to understand trail map, turn-by-turn hike directions, parking and restroom locations, photos, and more. 

From the summit of Mount Tammany the view is of Mount Minsi in PA. Somehow on a perfect sunny fall morning – amazingly – we had the viewpoint entirely to ourselves at around 9am.

Mount Tammany with colorful fall foliage.

Just past this is a short side trail that overlooks the Delaware River with New Jersey on the left and Pennsylvania on the right:

View of fall foliage in New Jersey around the Delaware River.

The BLUE trail back was past peak with more bare trees than with leaves. Once back on Dunnfield Creek Trail, there was leaf drop but it got more yellow the closer to the parking lot we got.

Hiking trail with bright yellow foliage.

Post-hike we decided to try Marshall’s Farm Market off of Rt 46 in Delaware, NJ and picked up a bag of cider donuts and their homemade peanut butter. We ended up eating the whole bag they were so good (they weren’t huge donuts…). Wonderful peak color driving back from Mt. Tammany down to Rt 46 and Rt 31 through Warren and Hunterdon Counties.

10/23/24…

Cheesequake State Park – Middlesex County. Did an extended version of our Yellow, Blue, and Green hike by also going past the lake and over the crabbing bridge.

Nice bright color throughout the park, with some green still so this is in “near peak” range.

Hooks Creek Lake with bright foliage and green trees.

Color change is quickly happening but so is the leaf drop, as per usual. There really is never one “peak” moment where everything is colorful, it’s always a progression – that’s why we have weeks of color here.

Boardwalk trail surrounded by fall color.

Color across NJ will last though this weekend into next week so get out there if you can. Temperatures should drop to a seasonal normal Thursday/Friday but we’re still looking at sunny and 55-60 degree days… perfect for being outside. And rewarding your effort with a cider donut.

Trees with a mix of yellow foliage and green leaves.

Potentials for color, in and around NJ (we make no guarantees!):

New Jersey Fall Foliage 2024 map graphic for 10/22/24.

10/21/24…

Currently… Peak color can be found across much of New Jersey. North west and north central across to the northern part of the Palisades, then down through central and parts of southern. Anything that isn’t peak is near peak, for the most part.

This color should hold through this week and into next, however note that the most northern areas of NJ are starting to moving past peak with leaf drop. So while there’s still nice color you’ll find less on the trees in High Point / Stokes and across northern Sussex and Passaic Counties. The focus will be moving down the state for next weekend.

This past weekend was fantastic, hope everyone got out to enjoy it! We found the Kittatinny Mountains in full color (10/20) as well as along the D&R Canal (10/19).

This week’s forecast is calling for sunny 70s and yet more perfect hiking weather. Unreal! Take a day off and get out there (we’ll write you an excuse note for your boss if you need it!).

10/20/24…

Catfish Fire Tower via Appalachian Trail – Delaware Water Gap Nat’l Rec Area, Warren County
also can do this as Rattlesnake Swamp – Catfish Fire Tower Loop.

The effort-to-reward ratio is in your favor on either of these – big views from the tower and tons along the ridge in a rocky route with manageable miles.

A chilly morning start warmed up quick with bright sun and blue skies. From Catfish tower you can see in all directions. This is looking south over the Kittatinny range.

View of fall foliage from Catfish Tower south.

Looking north from the tower shows the open rocky area just below the tower and some pops of red foliage, with the Kittatinny range extending further ahead.

View of fall foliage from Catfish Tower north.

Further down the Appalachian Trail from the tower, the valley below yielded a beautiful patchwork of fall color. Views like this happen all along the A.T. here.

Colorful fall foliage in the valley below a ridge.

Lower Yards Reservoir comes into view further down the Appalachian Trail, with lovely color over rolling hills.

We hiked this route last fall too but that day we had overcast and angry looking clouds that dampened the vibrance of color so this morning was a real treat to get such nice conditions.

Speaking of treats… I’d planned on trying another farm stand for post-hike refreshments but Tom said “I liked the one we went to on Thursday…” sooooo instead we found ourselves meandering some very pretty back roads that we’ve somehow never been on to get over to Windy Brow Farms about 30 min from the trailhead.

It was much busier on a Sunday than a Thursday but we still found a table to enjoy pastries (pumpkin cheese danish, pumpkin chocolate scone… took a brownie home for later) and coffee (shaken espresso for Tom and pumpkin cream cold brew for me… going to turn into a pumpkin I suppose… this was so much better than what I get at Starbucks, goodness). Also scooped up a jar of their pecan apple butter.

Rt 206 on the way back was bursting with color, especially around Chester.

Bright fall color on Rt 206 in Chester, NJ.

10/19/24…

D&R Canal, main towpath near Blackwell’s Mills, Somerset County. We got in a quick 20-miler bike ride in the morning. Perfect weather for it – little chilly to start but soon were removing layers.

Peak color along the canal but there’s still some green in there. By the time that green changes, the color will be dropping … so anytime this week into next week will be nice color here. And catch the reflections in the water.

10/18/24…

This weekend and into next week… The north west and north central region of New Jersey has reached peak color. The best color extends from High Point in the most NW corner down into Hunterdon County and over to parts of Bergen. Near peak is throughout the rest of north and central, and down into parts of southern.

So there are TONS of locations for great color right now, and we’re pretty much on target for the usual peak range in NJ of Oct 19 – 29. This peak color should hold into most areas well into next week, except for the most northwestern corner (and barring any major rain/wind events).

We found beautiful peak color around Stokes S.F. this Thursday (10/17), see below the hike picks for info and photos from that.

This weekend’s forecast is perfect hiking weather – AGAIN. Take advantage of it!!!

Potentials for color, in and around NJ (we make no guarantees!):

Further out… New York: Peak in lower elevations of Catskills and Adirondacks (higher is past). The Gunks region is nearly at peak. Harriman/Bear Mountain moderate to near peak. Pennsylvania: central Poconos is at peak, while northern is starting to move past.

Even further out…north: Central and southern Maine is at peak, while north is past but still has nice color. Vermont is still at peak with a lot of great color (Taconic Mountains, southern Green Mountains, Route 100 scenic byway) though the highest elevations are going past. New Hampshire has beautiful peak color throughout the entire state, with some northern regions moving past.

Even further out…south: Western Maryland is at peak (very west is past) with the east and southern region at moderate color. Near to peak color found along the border of West Virginia and Virginia.

10/17/24…

Stokes State Forest: Culvers Gap / Stony Lake
It was too sunny and nice to work so we headed up to Stokes and and found peak conditions all around with nice foliage. Stokes is one of our favorite places to hike, and definitely an option to hit up very soon. We combined pieces of two of our hike routes that we have on the site.

We headed on the Appalachian Trail up to Culvers Gap, looking over Culvers Lake:

View of fall color from Culvers Gap.

Continuing along the Appalachian Trail, looking over towards Stony Lake:

Fall color at Stokes State Forest.

Took Tower trail down to see how the foliage was cooking at Stony Lake:

Fall foliage around Stony Lake.

Then continued back on Coursen trail to the parking lot at Culvers Gap.

Fall foliage around a bridge on a trail.

Looking down Sunrise Mountain Road:

Sunrise Mountain Road.

On the way home we checked out Windy Brow Farms in Newton. Unsure how this was never on my radar but we really enjoyed everything we got and will be adding it to our post-hike spots. We had tasty raspberry and almond croissants with their cold brew (apple caramel and peanut butter mocha – nice, not too sweet) then took cider donuts and a jug of cider home.

We eyeballed the ice cream, pies, and bread for next time. Delicious all around and it was a nice chill farm location with tables to sit outside (they do apple picking but not activity stuff). However it was a Thursday so it’s probably hoppin’ more on a weekend.

Our scenic drive continued with kickin’ foliage down through Allamuchy S.P. area and the Hikemobile steered us to one of our favorite brewery stops, Czig Meister, for a flight and some items to pop into our cooler.

The foliage continued to be near peak to peak as we meandered through Long Valley and Oldwick. Below Rt 78 the color change isn’t as much, more moderate to near-peak – but still nice.

10/14/24…

Currently… Color is barreling toward near peak / peak across north west and north central (especially High Point, Stokes, Wawayanda) and moving across the rest of the New Jersey.

The roads around Norvin Green had near or peak foliage, but then a bit more green on the hillsides. Moderate color found in Morristown but some big pops of color from decorative trees along roads and in yards.

Note that at any given area you might run into a mixed bag – as is usual – and find color and green leaves. Some spots have a decent amount of leaf drop going on too but that just makes the trails colorful and crunchy.

Color should be great at least through the next two weekends, don’t miss out. This was the 2nd weekend in a row that weather was fantastic (this seldom happens)… and the upcoming is looking to make it three… fingers crossed!

Potentials for color this week, in and around NJ (we make no guarantees!):

New Jersey Fall Foliage 2024 map graphic for 10/15/24.

10-12-24 Norvin Green: Lake Sonoma, Overlook Rock, Manaticut Point (short loop)
We like this rugged loop because there is a lot to see AND you’re usually guaranteed to get some color even if you don’t time it just right – the lake can change early, the trails have sustained color as they go to yellow, and the overlooks change fully later.

Bright blue Lake Sonoma ringed by fall color mixed with greens.

Lake Sonoma with fall foliage.

Overlook Rock overlooks a sea of trees that are nearly unbroken by civilization. We sat here for awhile enjoying our snack. There is more color change than it appears, as by this point it was quite bright and a wee bit hazy which washed out the color a bit.

View of fall foliage from Overlook Rock in Norvin Green.

Another overlook, from the Manaticut Trail. Evergreens are in the foreground but dappled color is seen in the distance.

Overlooking fall foliage from the Manaticut Trail.

The forests were a warm yellow but we did encounter a lot of leaf drop on the trail. Crunchy crunch.

Fall foliage on a trail in Norvin Green State Forest.

We were going to try Wightman Farms for cider donuts on the way home (Morristown, just off of Rt. 287) but it was utter mayhem with no parking so we bailed.

We pivoted to Ashton Brewing which we’ve been meaning to try (we often hit Jersey Cyclone on our ride back for their sours but this gives us another option in the area). Tasted a wide variety of styles and took home several (always keep a cooler in the Hikemobile!).

10/11/24…

This weekend and into next week… The best chance of color is in the north west and north central region, where color has been spreading further across and down – pretty much on target timing wise.

The color progression may move quickly from near to peak in that most NW corner (High Point, Stokes) so don’t wait on getting out there.

More moderate color is popping up across central and south, where it is a mix of low to moderate color still. There are lots of options for seeing color right now.

This weekend’s forecast for Jersey is prime hiking weather – try to get out and enjoy it!

Potentials for color in and around NJ (we make no guarantees!):

Further out… New York: Peak in the Catskills and lower elevations of Adirondacks (higher is past). Near Peak around the Gunks. Pennsylvania: northern Poconos region is at peak.

Even further out… Central Maine is at peak, with the south ranging from low to moderate (north is past). Vermont is at peak with the highest elevations starting to move past. Northern New Hampshire is at peak. Western Maryland is near peak. Higher elevations of West Virginia are near or at peak.

Note that Hurricane Helene caused widespread damage areas of the south (Asheville, Blue Ridge Parkway, Smoky Mountains etc etc) – so check the current status before heading down. Shenandoah N.P. is open.

10/8/24…

Currently… Color should ramp up this week with a little dip in evening temperatures. North west and north central NJ is seeing a lot of color in the moderate range and will likely be moving to near peak this weekend, with the most northwestern corner possible to peak range (High Point, Stokes S.F.).

This past weekend we saw color ranging from low to moderate up Rt 15, with more moderate color through Stokes. Our return route on Rt 206 through Newton to Rt. 80 showed decent color, with moderate to almost near peak, and even in the Chester area color was moving along.

This is what is guiding our hike picks this week but other areas of the state have color too. Basically, the most advanced color is mostly north west/north central like usual right now but everywhere has some color.

If you are looking at hillsides you might not see a broad spread of color across them but get on the trail and you’ll see color change. The next two weeks are key, so make sure you get out and enjoy it as much as you can – don’t wait for the elusive “peak” moment. New Jersey enjoys weeks of fall color!

10-7-24 – Cliff Park, Milford Knob, Hackers Falls / Raymondskill Falls
We hiked Cliff Park, just over the border in Pennsylvania, because there is a terrific panoramic view of NJ from the cliffs. Morning haze muted some of the color in the photos but there is color moving along here.

View of foliage from Cliff Park.
View from Cliff Park over New Jersey.

Jersey’s High Point monument is visible, perched at the top of a ridge.

Zoom into High Point monument with clouds in front of it.

Zoom into foliage cropping up around the Milford-Montague bridge that spans the Delaware River. New Jersey is on the top and Pennsylvania is on the bottom of the photo.

Bridge from NJ to PA.

Before we started our hike, we popped over to Raymondskill Falls, which shares the same parking lot as the hike. Lots of yellow tones surrounded the falls.

Raymondskill Falls surrounded by fall foliage.
Raymondskill Falls ravine with fall foliage.

Also of note, not far from these hikes on the PA side of the Delaware Water Gap Rec. Area… George W. Childs Park has just reopened after being closed in 2018 due to extensive storm damage. This is a short scenic hike to three waterfalls using multiple bridges in a shady ravine, and a portion of the trail is ADA accessible.

On the way home our Hikemobile might have steered it’s way though Chester so that we could swing by the Hacklebarney Cider Mill for donuts, cider, and a praline pumpkin pie. Just maybe.

Potentials for color in and around NJ (we make no guarantees!):

New Jersey Fall Foliage 2024 map graphic for 10/8/24.

10/4/24…

‘Tis the season! Colorful crunchy leaves, perfect hiking temperatures… and ample opportunity to shovel cider donuts into your mouth.

This weekend and into next week… All of New Jersey is seeing at least low color, and the fall color change is running just a wee bit ahead of usual. For moderate color, look to northwest and north central New Jersey.

The best chance of color is in High Point and Stokes State Forest, as is usual at this point in the season. Little bits of moderate color are popping here and there in some southern spots as well.

Of note, the Ragnar race is at Wawayanda State Park this weekend so you may want to avoid trails in the main park around Lake Wawayanda (don’t think the race course extends to Wawayanda’s Terrace Pond section or Stairway to Heaven).

Potentials for color in and around NJ (we make no guarantees!):

Further out… some regions of the northeast are near or arriving at peak (also a smidge early) and will be seeing terrific color this weekend and through next weekend (Columbus Day): New York’s Adirondacks and bits of the Catskills and northern Poconos region of Pennsylvania.

Even further out… peak is hitting northern Maine as well as northern Vermont and New Hampshire. In the south, higher elevations of West Virginia are nearing peak.

Note that Hurricane Helene caused widespread damage in the southeast (Asheville, Blue Ridge Parkway, Smoky Mountains etc etc) – so check the status of any area you’re planning to head to.

New Jersey Fall Foliage 2024 map graphic.

9/20/24 – Fall color might arrive juuuust a bit earlier than normal this season, based on reports for regions further out from New Jersey that change first (higher elevations of Adirondacks in NY, Maine, Vermont, New Hampshire, W. Virginia). But NJ is still a ways out from all the leafy eye candy (…but you might be able to locate some cider donuts…).

9/9/24 – The “early” fall color you might have noticed appearing around Jersey is probably more due to summer drought stress than the leaves actually starting to change early. The temperatures have been a bit colder at night than normal, and it’s those chilly nights that kick off the color change, but we’re not quite there yet.

Previous years foliage report archiveSee how the color usually progresses through various hiking areas in New Jersey. Archive of njHiking.com reports from 2010 to date.

About the NJ Hiking Fall Foliage Report

Since 2010, njHiking.com has been providing New Jersey with suggested foliage locations and hikes, updated weekly in season.

The report is created by reviewing multiple state and regional reports, incorporating map data from The Foliage Report and Explore Fall, combined with our own observations on hikes and drives each week. The result lets Jersey and metro area residents quickly find the best color locally as well as plan east coast road trips.

Resources for tracking fall color in and near New Jersey

Sites that contain forecasts or foliage maps for NJ and the surrounding region such as the Adirondacks or the Catskills in New York or the Poconos in Pennsylvania.

New Jersey Div. of Parks and ForestryFacebook updates for NJ during the season
New York State Fall FoliageFoliage report and map
PA – Pocono Mountains
Foliage maps and reports for the Poconos, plus webcams.
PA – DCNR Fall Foliage ReportsWeekly Fall Foliage Map and Reports.

Resources for tracking fall color in the Northeast

These can be used to help plan trips to the New England region that change well before New Jersey, such as Maine, Vermont, and New Hampshire.

Savvy planners can hit foliage in several spots as it works it’s way down.

The Foliage ReportWeekly foliage map and report for The United States. Detailed and accurate for current conditions.
ExploreFallFoliage maps for the United States, including historical map data.
MaineFoliage.comWeekly report and map for Maine.
Vermont.comCurrent conditions map for Vermont.
VisitNH.govFoliage reports for New Hampshire.
ctvisit.comConnecticut’s Foliage Finder; based on historical data.
Fall Foliage Prediction MapInteractive U.S. map, slide date for color prediction, from SmokyMountains.com. **Note** This popular map is often used in news articles but is a forecast based on prior year data and is not the current status. It also tends to predict the color moving along much earlier than reality for New Jersey.
The Weather ChannelRegional color report maps.
New England TodayNortheast usual color map.

General info about fall foliage in New Jersey

The best fall foliage displays start with healthy green trees. Then September needs warm sunny days and cold but not freezing nights.

If it remains too warm it can delay the change and dull the colors. A cloudy fall also can mute the colors.

Rainfall is also a big factor. Too much before the season is bad for color, while drought conditions can bring on an early change and leaf drop.

Overall it can be very hard to predict the quality of fall foliage every year because it’s a delicate balance between many variables.

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