HARRISBURG, Pa. — Resources from the Pennsylvania Tourism Office will be available next week for residents and visitors to experience a colorful autumn in a variety of ways across the Commonwealth.
(Pictured above: Scenic Point Overlook, Cook Forest State Park, courtesy of PA Wilds.)
To celebrate the fall season in Pennsylvania, personnel from the Bureau of Forestry will be available to serve as regional experts on fall foliage.
Fall foliage typically peaks for several weeks near the beginning of October across Pennsylvania.
Starting September 27, weekly fall foliage reports can be found online on the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation of Natural Resources (DCNR) website and will be updated every Thursday.
Visitors can get suggestions about the best spots to view fall foliage on the Penn’s Woods Fall Foliage story map and on the Pennsylvania Tourism Office website.
“With 121 state parks and more than 2.2 million acres of state forestland, Pennsylvanians are truly blessed with an abundance of prime fall-foliage viewing areas,” said DCNR Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn. “Across the state, our park personnel and foresters look forward to recommending both the best times and locations to glimpse our autumn woodlands in all their splendor.”
While the leaves are the star of the show, Pennsylvania is abounding with great festivals, pick-your-own farms, and unrivaled haunted attractions that make the state the obvious choice for autumn.
Each year, Pennsylvania’s nearly 200 million domestic travelers inject an estimated $40.8 billion into Pennsylvania’s economy, generate $4.1 billion in tax revenues, and are responsible for nearly 500,000 jobs related to or benefitting from tourism.
“Not only does Pennsylvania boast some of the best foliage in the world, it’s home to some of the most fun and unique ways to view the gorgeous autumn colors,” said Carrie Fischer Lepore, Deputy Secretary of the Office of Marketing, Tourism and Film in the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED). “From historic train rides and scenic hikes to outdoor festivals and hillside wineries, I encourage residents and visitors alike to pursue their happiness in Pennsylvania this fall.”
The regional experts can discuss the chemistry of fall foliage color, as well as the projected outlook for fall foliage in their region of Pennsylvania. Pennsylvania’s experts include:
- Northeast Pennsylvania
Tim Latz, forester: Pinchot Forest District, Dalton - Northwest Pennsylvania
Cecile Stelter, district forester: Cornplanter State Forest District, Warren - Southeast Pennsylvania
Rick Hartlieb, assistant district forester: William Penn State Forest District, Elverson - Southcentral Pennsylvania
Ryan Reed, environmental education specialist: Harrisburg - Southwest Pennsylvania
Rachael Mahony, environmental education specialist: Forbes State Forest District, Laughlintown - Northcentral Pennsylvania
Chris Firestone, wild plant program manager: Tioga State Forest District, Wellsboro
For fall-inspired festivals and experiences, go to visitPA.com or follow Visit PA on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Pinterest. Pursue your happiness and join the conversation using the hashtag #FallinPA.
