Discover When Leaves Change Color in New Jersey (And 5 Beautiful Places to See Them)

Are you interested in chasing the leaves as they change and embracing the fall foliage? Many people claim autumn as their favorite season because of its stunning foliage. As summer begins to end and cooler weather sweeps in, many trees lose their green coloring and sport various autumn colors. Beautiful oranges, reds, and yellows line the streets, and leaves fall from the trees. Why does this phenomenon happen? As temperatures shift to cooler, the days become shorter. Shorter days mean less sunlight for the trees. Less sunlight affects the leaves on deciduous trees because they stop producing chlorophyll, thus leading to red and yellow-toned leaves. 

While you can see the beauty of fall foliage in various states across the US, one state that showcases the autumn colors spectacularly is the state of New Jersey. New Jersey is located in the Mid-Atlantic region of the United States and is the fourth-smallest state in the nation regarding total area. However, don’t let its size fool you. This state has a ton of beauty to offer. This article will discuss the top 5 best locations to see New Jersey’s fall foliage. 

When Do Leaves Change Color in New Jersey? 

Before learning about the best places to view this stunning fall foliage, you need to discover when it happens. According to this year’s AccuWeather fall foliage forecast, the best time to see the leaves change color in New Jersey this year will be “early to mid-October in the state’s northern region, mid-to-late October in the central region and late October to early November in the southern region.” 

Meteorologists from Accuweather predict it will be an excellent year to witness the foilage and that the colors should be prominent across the entire Northeast. Although it is predicted to be a good fall season, it is important to remember that not all trees change the color of their leaves. Only deciduous trees have their leaves change color during the autumn months. New Jersey is home to many species of trees, but the following are some of the most prominent deciduous trees you can witness during the fall foliage.

White Oak Tree 

White oak trees (Quercus alba) are a native species to New Jersey. It can grow 80-100 feet tall and showcases beautiful yellow leaves during the fall foliage. White oak is commonly used for crafting wine and whiskey barrels due to its water-resistant nature. This tree produces acorns that serve as a food source for various wildlife. 

Black Walnut Tree 

The black walnut tree (Juglans nigra) is also a native species to New Jersey. It can reach heights up to 130 feet tall, making this an impressive tree to behold. In the autumn, this tree turns a beautiful shade of bright yellow. It is used primarily for timber production and for making furniture. The walnuts they produce offer a variety of health benefits, including healthy fats and vitamins. 

Bigtooth Aspen Tree  

Bigtooth Aspen (Populus grandidentata) is a common deciduous tree that is found throughout the state. These trees grow 60-75 feet tall. Similarly to the previous trees, the bigtooth aspen showcases beautiful gold and yellow colors in the autumn months. This tree is a favorite of many animals. Beavers dine on the bark while deer nibble on the leaves. Many different birds call this tree home as well. 

Red Maple Tree 

Red maples (Acer rubrum) can be found across New Jersey. This tree can range from 50-100 feet high and boasts magnificent fall foliage. These trees have an impressive red coloring during the autumn months, although — despite their name — they do occasionally showcase yellow and orange colors as well. These trees are also one of the earliest to bloom, so when seeking fall foliage, follow the maples! Additionally, these trees are often used to make furniture or to produce syrup. 

Sassafrass Tree 

The sassafras tree (Sassafras albidum) has more to love about it than its unique name. Ranging from 40-50 feet tall, these trees can also be spotted across the garden state. Offering a variety of shades of red, orange, and yellow, this tree is truly stunning in the autumn months. The sassafras tree provides food and shelter to a wide array of wildlife, including white-tailed deer and rabbits. It has also been used to aid in a variety of medical conditions. 

5 Beautiful Places to See New Jersey’s Fall Foilage 

If you are interested in watching the leaves change color in New Jersey, here are the five most beautiful places to enjoy this state’s impressive fall foliage.

1. Delaware Water Gap 

Encompassing nearly 70,000 acres, the Delaware Water Gap Recreational Area sits between I-80 South and I-84 North. It resides on the border of Pennslyvania and New Jersey. You drive to reach this park and enter it through one of its entry points. 

The best time to see fall foliage in this location is early to mid-October. You can drive through roads neighboring the recreational area or hike some of the trails for a slower-paced enjoyment of the beautiful autumn colors. 

2. High Point State Park 

This state park is located in Sussex County and offers the highest elevation in New Jersey at 1,803 feet. This park is located minutes from the New York and Pennsylvania borders and the Delaware River. People often drive up to this park for hiking and camping; the autumn months are a phenomenal time to visit. 

Similarly to the Delaware Water Gap, the best time to visit this park for stunning colors is early to mid-October. Due to this point’s elevation, you can see for miles on a clear day. That fact alone makes this one of the best places to see New Jersey’s fall foliage. 

3. Lambertville 

Lambertville is a city within Hunterdon County in New Jersey. This city is near the Delaware River and directly across the river from New Hope, Pennsylvania. Besides being an adorable city with many interesting shops and great dining, it is also a superb place to observe fall foliage. 

The best time to see the leaves change color here is mid to late October; one spot stands out among the rest. Goat Hill Overlook offers stunning views of both the river and the trees as they showcase their fiery autumn colors. Located near Baldpate Mountain, the hike up to Goat Hill Overlook is easy and well worth the journey. 

4. Stokes State Forest 

Stokes State Forest is located in Branchville, New Jersey. This park features various mountains, forests, freshwater streams, and an incredible panoramic view from Sunrise Mountain. This park has over 63 miles of trails to choose from when you visit and is a great place for various outdoor activities. 

The best time to visit this location to see the fall foliage is early to mid-October. If you want the best, uninterrupted views of the fall foliage, you will want to venture to Sunrise Mountain. With an elevation of 1,653 feet above sea level, this mountain is the second-highest mountain in New Jersey. It even offers views of High Point Mountain! When atop this mountain, you will experience one of the best views of New Jersey’s fall foliage.  

5. Belleplain State Forest 

Located in Woodbine, New Jersey, Belleplain State Forest is a popular destination to see the leaves change color as well. This location is uniquely beautiful because the lake there — Lake Nummy — captures and reflects the colors of the surrounding trees, making the view twice as impressive. 

The best time to see the fall foliage in this location is in late October. This forest is a camper’s paradise and offers over forty miles of hiking, biking, and horseback riding trails. Those trails can also be used to observe the beautiful trees and their leaves during autumn. Be sure to catch a spot near Lake Nummy for the best views. 

A Summary of the Best Places to See New Jersey’s Fall Foilage

New Jersey is a great state for viewing fall foliage. While it offers a variety of destinations to see these leaves put on their spectacular show, the time to see them is now! Most of the locations’ best times to catch peak fall foliage are in the month of October. There are so many incredible places that you could visit right now to see this magic happening. Below is a recap of the top five best destinations in New Jersey to see the fall foliage and when to visit them.

The photo featured at the top of this post is © Sharan Singh/iStock via Getty Images