Pennsylvania Fall Colors

[d360]

Camelback Mountain, Big Pocono State Park, northeast Pennsylvania

Where: From the summit, you'll see color in eastern Pennsylvania, the gorgeous Delaware Water Gap and parts of New Jersey and New York.

Stars of the show: The view encompasses maple, birch, poplar, sycamore, oak, hickory and dogwood trees -- a stunning canvas painted with bright reds, oranges and yellows.

Color peak: Oct. 12 to 17

More info: The Poconos' 24-hour Fall Foliage Hotline: (570) 421-5565; www.dcnr.state.pa.us,

[bmd]

Pennsylvania is among the most beautiful areas for lovely autumn colors, and if you've ever experienced the sights, smells, and feeling of fabulous fall, you'll agree that this wonderful season deserves its place in all hearts. Certainly the hilly areas and mountains, the Poconos, will offer a prolific supply of autumn foliage, but there are even more areas that will awe and inspire the traveler. I'm a mover and traveler by nature, and I've had the pleasure and privilege of living in, visiting, and passing through a variety of areas that offer the gorgeous colors of the season. For two years, I lived in West Chester, near Philadelphia, where we'd often jump in the car and just drive around to see the fall colors in Pennsylvania. I used to drive up to see my husband on his lunch break, and one of my favorite roads to take was called Swedesford Road, where there were some gorgeous old stone and wooded farm houses and plenty of lovely foliage to be seen during the autumn season. Some of our other favorite drives were Strasburg Road, Shadyside Road, Embreeville Road and some of the other rambling roads in between. Two of the local state parks in the area that we never missed during this season were Ridley Creek, on West Chester Pike, and Marsh Creek, with a beautiful lake and a fantastic view of the fall colors.

[Vicolette]

Pennsylvania is spectacular during the fall season that begins in October. Several other places for hiking biking, and families taking advantage of the crisp weather to experience fall in Pennsylvaia are Moraine State Park, McConnells Mill State Park and the very old Warrior Trail once used by Native Americans.