New Jersey Fall Foliage – How to Plan the Ultimate Autumn Road Trip

If you’ve been dreaming of seeing the famous New Jersey fall foliage, this guide will help you book the ultimate autumn getaway.

What Makes Fall Foliage in New Jersey Special?

The tree diversity in New Jersey provides a unique opportunity for anyone who loves fall foliage. With a range of tree species, the New Jersey fall foliage is a rich tapestry of colors, shades, and hues. Every year, the colors change in subtly different ways due to weather and environmental changes. 

Traveling through multiple parts of the state can also reveal different progressions of leaf changes, so be sure to cruise through a variety of locations. The Latitude Suites Tinton Falls Eatontown is ideally located so you can visit all the best leaf-peeping spots in New Jersey.

Ready to book your fall getaway? Keep reading for tips on how to plan your trip to catch the most brilliant fall colors New Jersey has to offer.

Peak Timing for Your Fall Foliage New Jersey Trip

Peak timing varies by location—North Jersey, Central Jersey, South Jersey, and the Jersey Shore all have slightly different ideal times. These also change each year depending on factors such as temperature, rainfall, and elevation. 

In general, late September through mid-October is considered a good time for leaf-peeping in New Jersey.

Let’s look at the three main areas for fall foliage and their peak times:

North Jersey

North Jersey will see changes in fall foliage earlier, as the autumn change usually starts in the northern part of the state and moves south. If you travel earlier in the season, late September, for example, you may want to concentrate on North Jersey for fall foliage pictures. 

Peak viewing in the north is expected to happen from mid- to late October, but earlier fall colors can also be impressive.

Central Jersey

In Central Jersey, you can usually observe brilliant fall colors beginning in the middle of the season. If you’re aiming for an early to mid-October trip, you won’t want to miss the middle of the state.

Mid-October is an excellent time to enjoy outdoor activities like hiking before the weather gets too cold, and Central Jersey has a diverse array of forests and outdoor environments. Consider a leaf-peeping hike through one of the area’s state parks, which we’ll discuss later in this article.

South Jersey and Shore

Fall foliage will reach these areas last, so South Jersey is a good place to concentrate if your vacation falls in late October. By October 27, most of the state is expected to be past peak colors, but South Jersey and part of the shoreline will likely still be at peak coloring. 

While it’s too late in the season for swimming, you can still enjoy beachcombing at the shore when you’re not taking in the leaves, or try a shoreline hiking trail. 

Fall Foliage Maps and Weekly Reports

Prediction maps and weekly reports help visitors ensure they don’t miss any New Jersey peak fall foliage. Here are some sources to check:

• The Explore Fall map shows areas with little to no color, low color, moderate color, high color, peak color, and past peak color.
• The Old Farmer’s Almanac provides projections throughout the fall season.
• The Smoky Mountains’ fall foliage prediction map also includes information about why leaves change color. 

Using a fall foliage map for New Jersey can help you plan your trip. Some people start with the earliest peak areas, then visit others as the season continues. Others plan a trip to catch all the locations at their ideal times.

Best Places to See Fall Foliage in New Jersey

It can be hard to decide where to go first for fall leaf-peeping, so we’ve compiled a list of the best places to view the fall foliage. These locations are separate by region, so you may want to choose based on the timing of your visit.

North Jersey

Here are a few can’t-miss places to check out in North Jersey:

• High Point State Park is home to Kittatinny Ridge, the highest elevation in New Jersey, which rises 1,803 feet above sea level. It’s ideal for hiking, camping, and taking photos of the fall leaf canopy.
• Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area is perfect if you want to enjoy boating or water recreation while capturing fall colors. Enjoy hiking or paddling on the river while soaking in the autumn changes.
• Stokes State Forest offers over 63 miles of trails, allowing you to take in the fall scenery. While hiking, don’t forget to snap some pictures for Instagram.
• At Palisades Interstate Park, you can enjoy fall foliage stretched across 2,500 acres of Hudson River shoreline, uplands, and cliffs. The park offers boating, biking, hiking, and picnic areas overlooking the treeline.

Central Jersey

• The one-mile scenic walk around Watchung Lake is surrounded by beautiful fall foliage. Don’t miss the majestic cascading waterfall set among the trees.
• The combination of two different ecosystems in Cheesequake State Park includes a northern hardwoods forest and southern pine barrens for a wide variety of autumn leaf colors. Known for its variety of foliage, Cheesequake offers boating, canoeing, and nature trails for exploring the NJ fall colors.
• Allaire is an excellent place to visit if you want to enjoy local history while checking out the fall colors. The Living History Museum gives you a taste of early Industrial America, with stunning tree-lined streets on the way in and out of town.

South Jersey and the Shore

• The Wharton State Forest features canoeing, mountain biking, and hiking amidst a canopy of colorful fall leaves. It’s known for beautiful treelines any time of year, but particularly in the fall.
• Tucked into the Pinelands National Reserve, Belleplain State Forest is home to the most expansive variety of habitats in the state. Catch the unique sight of the Atlantic white cedar swamp, the mixed-hardwood swamp, and the oak-hickory forest.
• If you’re more into beaches than hiking, Cape May offers a combination of shoreline activities and gorgeous fall foliage, which usually peaks in the second and third weeks of October. It’s also close to Belleplain State Forest so that you can visit both in one day.
• Batsto Village is another great place to visit when you want to mix history with falling leaves. Dating back to 1766, it has multiple historic buildings nestled against the backdrop of the South Central Pinelands.
• Located in southwestern New Jersey, Parvin State Park includes both pine forests and a hardwood swamp forest. Parvin Lake is an excellent place to view the trees from a boat or enjoy a waterfront walk with a thermos of hot cocoa.

Why the Jersey Shore is a Prime Leaf-Peeping Destination

Many people assume the Jersey Shore is a summer vacation spot because they associate the shore with beach activities. However, it’s also close to many beautiful fall foliage locations, and there are fun indoor activities in the Jersey Shore. 

Here are several reasons not to sleep on the Jersey Shore when checking out the best fall foliage in New Jersey:

• Located close to the shore, Allaire and Hartshorne Woods Park bring history to life with a side quest of capturing the fall color on camera.
• Although swimming season is over by fall, Island Beach State Park has eight miles of trails to hike or bike.
• The Edwin B. Forsythe National Wildlife Refuge specializes in protecting over 360 species of birds, so you can observe birds and fall leaves at the same time.
• Cape May Point State Park features meadows, ponds, and vibrantly-colored forests along with its iconic lighthouse.
• Much of the Jersey Shore is located in Monmouth County, which is home to the Pollak Theater, Monmouth Mall, and a variety of unique restaurants and coffee shops.

Visiting the Jersey Shore in the off-season, or “shoulder season,” has additional benefits. With fewer visitors, parks and other tourist attractions aren’t as busy. As a result, you can visit more locations in less time, and prices for flights and hotel accommodations may also be lower.

In fact, the Latitude Suites Tinton Falls Eatontown frequently posts special offers for their luxurious suites. After an exciting day of leaf-peeping, you can relax in an upscale suite with free wifi or enjoy the indoor, heated pool.

Fall Foliage Cruises from New Jersey

Exploring the autumn leaves on land is a lot of fun, but taking a fall foliage cruise in New Jersey can also provide unique views from the water. Seastreak Ferries offers a narrated fall foliage cruise up the Hudson River, ending in New York Harbor. 

Or, enjoy a fall foliage brunch cruise on Saturday or Sunday, October 4 through November 2. You’ll return to the train depot close to the Latitude Suites Tinton Falls Eatontown, where you can unwind in a comfortable suite.

NY Waterway’s Shades of Autumn Fall Foliage tour runs October 11 through November 2, offering a two-hour (Saturdays only) or four-hour (Saturday and Sunday) trip. Sip a hot cider while you snap pictures of the gorgeous fall colors in New Jersey along the Hudson River.

Fall Foliage Train Rides in New Jersey

Train rides provide another way to see the fall foliage in New Jersey, especially if you visit later in the season when the temperatures are cooler. From inside a heated train, view miles of colorful leaves in only a few hours.

Here are some of the can’t-miss fall foliage train rides New Jersey has to offer:

• Departing from Phillipsburg, New Jersey, the Delaware River Railroad Excursions’ Great Pumpkin Train glides through acres of gorgeous New England leaves every day in October. Enjoy the pumpkin patch at the end of the ride, or head back to your hotel for a relaxing night in.
• The Black River & Western Railroad also has a Pumpkin Train, which runs on weekends from late September to the end of October. After gazing at some of the best fall foliage in New Jersey, take a wagon ride or pick a pumpkin.
• If you’re a history buff or just love trains, the New Jersey Museum of Transportation at Pine Creek runs its own railway in Wall Township. Ride the train through colorful fall trees, then check out the historic museum displays.

Scenic Drives & Day Routes

Boats and trains are fun, but sometimes you want to enjoy the scenery at your own pace. A scenic drive through one of New Jersey’s peak fall foliage areas allows you to take pictures or explore local attractions at your leisure.

Here are three scenic routes you can easily access from your modern hotel suite at the Latitude Suites Tinton Falls Eatontown:

• Route 52 takes you through the pine barrens, where pine trees coexist with scrub oaks and other deciduous trees to create a fall splash of color.
• The Delaware River Scenic Byway features historical landmarks like Washington’s Crossing, and in the fall, it comes alive with autumn leaf colors.
• The Jersey Shore Loop is a recommended ride for motorcyclists, but you can take it in any vehicle to see stunning fall foliage.

Photography and Planning Tips

One of the best planning tips is to consult a fall foliage map in New Jersey and plan your New Jersey trip accordingly.

Next, check the website of any state park or public venue that you intend to visit to confirm park hours and learn about fees. 

When it comes to photographing New Jersey fall colors, here are some tips to snap the most Instagrammable pics:

• Consider shooting some of your photos during the “golden hours”, sunrise and sunset. These are ideal for capturing bright autumn leaves because the lower light doesn’t overwhelm the colors.
• You may enjoy a modified “treasure hunt,” in which you aim to take pictures of all the key tree species in New Jersey: Northern Red Oak, Maple, Hickory, and Beech. When visiting the Pine Barrens, search for Pitch Pine and Eastern Hemlock for a variety of colors.
• Remember to check the weather report. Overcast or foggy days are actually ideal for capturing bright fall colors, for the same reason that sunrise and sunset work well, lower light brings out the contrast and vibrancy in the leaves.

Conclusion

It’s hard to choose the best place to see fall foliage in New Jersey because there are so many locations with stunning fall leaves. For this reason, you should plan your trip as early as possible and choose the ideal locations for your interests, pumpkin patches, hiking, biking, history, etc. 

Separate your plans by North, Central, and South Jersey, plus the Jersey Shore. Then, choose from scenic drives, train rides, boat excursions, or state park treks to capture the widest variety of fall leaf views.
You don’t want to miss out on the incredible fall foliage in New Jersey, so book your suite at the Latitude Suites Tinton Falls Eatontown today. It’s centrally located to make visiting all the best tree-gazing spots accessible.

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