Best Places to See Fall Colors and Foliage Near Jersey City![]()
One of the best activities to do in the fall is to gaze at the stunning fall colors of nature. Red, orange, yellow, and lush greens are everywhere. It is one of the prettiest times of the year in New Jersey. Jersey City may not have the best fall foliage to look at, but that doesn’t mean there are not many places close by that will allow you to immerse yourself in the changing colors of the season. Below are some of the best places to see fall colors and foliage near Jersey City!
Liberty State Park
This gorgeous historic park is one of the largest parks in Jersey City. It boasts a beautiful, unobstructed view of the Statue of Liberty and Manhattan. It is filled with fall colors and foliage in the autumn. Whether you prefer jogging, hiking, or skating, this park has it all. And of course, it features gigantic playgrounds for children of all ages.
Monmouth Battleground State Park: Manalapan, NJ
With almost 2,000 acres of park to walk and/or drive through, the Monmouth Battleground State Park is one of the best places to see fall colors and foliage near Jersey City. There are tons of trees, walking trails, and picnic areas, and the park is filled with a rich history. It is the perfect place to gaze at the fall foliage on a weekend afternoon. This park offers a lot.
It has designated areas for biking and mountain biking. During the winter people can ski through the vast, hilly farmland. There are 25 miles of farm roads, paths, and field edges for hiking. Hikers can explore the battlefield retracing the footsteps of Revolutionary War soldiers. If you enjoy horseback riding this place has many designated trails for it.
Ringwood State Park: Ringwood, NJ
Located northwest of Jersey City, Ringwood State Park is near the Ramapo Mountains and has 5,000 acres of trees to see the best fall colors around! There are also great places to canoe, walk, and much more.
This is particularly beautiful since there’s a botanical garden here. There are streams, ponds, specialty gardens, an extensive trail system, and more. It offers numerous recreational activities. A unique factor of this park is the large number of beautiful manors present here.
Cheesequake State Park: Old Bridge, NJ
This state park has great campgrounds, five walking and hiking trails, and a significant number of picnic areas to eat lunch on a crisp autumn day. So be sure to stop by this park, as it is one of the best places to see fall colors and foliage near Jersey City.
Cheesequake State Park has a unique geographical location since it lies in a transitional zone of two ecosystems. It has open fields, saltwater and freshwater marshes, swamps, a hardwood forest, and more. With this kind of ecological diversity, it is a feast to look at during the fall season. The park has several recreational facilities including trails, camping, boating, kayaking, etc. Check their website for details on what is open and till what dates/times since some activities close for the winter.
High Point State Park: Sussex
The lush forest of High Point State Park surrounds Lake Marcia, making it one of the most scenic places in NJ, especially during the fall. Nothing is more tranquil than sitting near calm waters and enjoying the reds, yellows, golds, and oranges of the fall season.
High Point State Park is exactly what its name suggests. It is located on the highest point in the state of New Jersey, which is the summit of Kittatinny Ridge. On this summit is the High Point Monument dedicated to NJ’s veterans. From the top, you have a splendid view of the Pocono Mountains toward the west, the Catskill Mountains to the north, and the Wallkill River Valley in the southeast.
Palisades Interstate Park, Alpine
This park is located along the Hudson River and has many cliffs studded with fall foliage. You can either walk or bike along the trails within the park, with many places to stop and look/take pictures of the vibrant fall colors. There’s a riverfront picnic area. Palisades Interstate Park has one of the best drives in this region since there are miles of tree-covered roadway next to the Hudson.
Speedwell Lake, Morristown
This is a spot that combines the best of fall foliage and tranquil water. It is a perfect spot to take photographs of your family with breathtaking fall foliage as the backdrop! Speedwell Lake can be easily driven to, so if walking, hiking, and biking do not appeal to the kids, you can also drive up to the most scenic point.
Delaware Water Gap National Recreational Area
There are many different places to explore the fall colors and foliage in the Delaware Water Gap. You can hike, walk trails, ride bikes, or drive winding roads to see the best fall colors for miles. It’s truly a special place to view the changing colors of autumn.
This is one of the most popular areas to visit for fall colors. This has stunning scenery along 40 miles of free-flowing river Delaware. This park offers several recreational facilities throughout the year including camping, paddling, fishing, hunting, and more. There are swim beaches, waterfall areas, picnic zones, and a lot more.
Monksville Reservoir, Passaic County
This man-made reservoir is stunning and when the surrounding trees turn bright fiery red in the fall it is a sight to behold. Be sure to visit to discover this for yourself. The reservoir is great for anglers, sporting clubs, and the US Sailing Association and is open throughout the year. This is situated in Long Pond Ironworks State Park.
Staten Island Greenbelt
Finding an undisturbed forest in Staten Island is not an easy feat, but the Greenbelt is just that. We highly recommend you take this drive to see the unique fall colors this special spot offers. You and the kids will feel like you have been transported into a land of magic. This is a surprisingly large area of natural pristine tranquility in Staten Island, a part of bustling New York City. It includes one of New York’s largest forest preserves. It has tidal and freshwater wetlands, oak and beech forests, open meadows, rolling hills, and more.
The Catskills, New York
If you are looking for another mountain experience to see the fall colors, look no further than the Catskill Mountains in New York. These mountains have over 100 peaks as high as 3,000 feet so that you can get multiple birds-eye views from almost anywhere. We recommend checking out Giant Ledge and Panther Mountain for the absolute best views of the fall colors.
A very popular area for the fall season, one can do more than admire the Fall foliage here. You can ride on the Catskill Mountain Railroad, bike along miles of trails, swim, and hike. Also, there’s golfing, paddling, driving and so many other things you can do. The Catskills region is divided into Northern, Southern, Western, and Eastern Catskills. Each region has a different set of things to do and discover.
Waterloo Village: Stanhope, NJ
This is an excellent place to view New Jersey fall foliage and have a memorable family experience. Stanhope is also a restored 19th-century village with tons of unique shops, seasonal festivals, and historic tours. Waterloo lies between Schooley’s Mountain and Allamuchy Mountain in the Musconetcong River Valley. This has many natural and historic resources. There’s abundant wildlife here.
Hacklebarney State Park — Long Valley
Hacklebarney State Park is a state park located between Long Valley and Chester in Morris County. The park is managed by the New Jersey Division of Parks and Forestry. In the 19th century, it was the site of iron ore mining. Today, it is the perfect spot for avid anglers, hikers, and picnickers. The gushing river against the grey boulders and dark green hemlocks creates a majestic beauty in any season.
There are nine hiking trails, many of them offering stunning views of the Black River. There are several small waterfalls along the way adding to the charm of the hike. During winter cross-country skiing is permitted though the trails are not groomed. The diverse upland and wetland habitats attract a variety of birds making it a haven for birdwatchers.
If you like fishing, this place will not disappoint. You can do stream fishing throughout the year at the Black River. Hunting is allowed in the southern part of the park. The habitat is great for wildlife like the fox, deer, bear, woodchuck, and over 100 species of birds.
Watchung Reservation
Watchung Reservation Trails is a 4.7-mile lightly trafficked out-and-back trail located near Mountainside, New Jersey, that features a river and is suitable for all skill levels. The trail offers several activity options and is accessible year-round. Dogs can also use this trail but must be kept on a leash. Watchung Reservation is the largest nature reserve in Union County, NJ.
This is a History Trail that has several historic spots along it. You can start at the Trailside Nature & Science Center. The next stop would be Copper Mine followed by Feltville Mill. Other stops include Hermit’s Pond, Seeley’s Pond, Drake Farm House & Barn, Deserted Village/Glenside Park, Corn Field, and Lake Surprise. There is so much to see and each spot has signposts, which will give the details.
Ramapo Mountain State Forest
This hilly forest provides a sanctuary for wildlife and is located about an hour from Jersey City. Ramapo Mountain State Forest includes 14 official trails, totaling more than 28 miles. Many multi-use trails are suitable for hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding, and cross-country skiing in the fall. A 120-acre clearwater mountain lake, the Ramapo Lake, provides an excellent spot for fishing and birdwatching.
The main attraction here is the Ramapo Lake which affords fantastic views from its numerous outcroppings and ledges. There are miles of trails for hikers and bikers. And needless to say, the lake is great for fishing. The forest contains streams, ponds, and marshes that are perfect habitats for birds and other wildlife. Activities here include boating canoeing, kayaking, fishing, hunting and bird/wildlife viewing.
Wharton State Forest — Hammonton
Wharton State Forest is the largest state forest in New Jersey. In addition, it is the largest single tract of land in the state park system of New Jersey. Visitors can observe wildlife, from bald eagles and great horned owls to turkeys and foxes scattered throughout the forest. It’s a must-visit during the fall to see the beautiful changing colors of the season.
Wharton has numerous trails of varied difficulty for hiking and biking. There are also trails for horseback riding. The rivers and lakes offer recreational activities like boating, kayaking, canoeing, hunting, and fishing. The conditions are perfect for bird watching and wildlife viewing. Camping sites are aplenty. You can make online reservations for the campsites. Some are primitive campsites that can only be accessed through hiking, canoeing or hoseback.
It is also the site of Batsto Village, which is an erstwhile bog iron and glassmaking industrial center of the 18th century. You can explore the historic site.
Hamilton Park, Jersey City
Don’t forget to stop by Hamilton Park to see some beautiful fall colors. If you don’t want to head to the big state parks, visit Hamilton Park! It is a perfect local spot to enjoy the fall foliage.
One of the best ways to celebrate the return of autumn is to take some day trips with the family and experience the changing natural colors of the season. Why not add pumpkin picking or visiting a local corn maze to really get in the fall mood?
Fall is a season of so many things – fall colors are the main attraction in the initial weeks when you can see the entire region burst into blazing colors. The weather cools down giving a fresh crispy feeling, especially in the mornings. You can opt to stroll out and sit in the cafes and sip coffee or maybe even decide to start the day with ice cream, because, why not? The zoos, water parks, sprinkler parks, beaches, and other summer activities are relegated to the back as the Fall season brings in opportunities for hiking, camping, fishing, hunting, farm visits, drives, etc. With the schools reopened, kids soon settle in and then look forward to Halloween and visits to the pumpkin patches.
Updated August 22, 2024
