Best Places to See Fall Colors and Foliage Near Jersey City![]()
One of the best activities to do in the fall is the gaze at the stunning fall colors. 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 close places to enjoy the color-changing trees. 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 Jersey City parks and playgrounds. It boasts a beautiful, unobstructed view of the Statue of Liberty and Manhattan. It is filled with fall colors and foliage in the autumn that are beautiful to stop by and enjoy. Whether you prefer jogging, hiking, or skating, this park has it all. And of course, it features gigantic playgrounds for children of all ages.
Battleground State Park: Manalapan, NJ
With almost 2,000 acres of park to walk and drive through, this 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.
Ringwood State Park: Ringwood, NJ
Located northwest of the Jersey City area, this state park is by 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.
Cheesequake State Park: Old Bridge, NJ
This state park has some great campgrounds and a variety of trees to explore to see the fall colors. In addition, there are five walking and hiking trails if you feel like getting more active, and have significant 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.
High Point State Park: Sussex
The lush forest surrounds Lake Marcia, making it one of the most scenic places in NJ, especially during the fall. Nothing is more relaxing and tranquil than sitting near calm waters – combined with reds, yellows, golds, and oranges, will be nothing short of breathtaking. High Point is one of the best places to see fall colors and foliage near Jersey City.
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 take bikes along the trails within the park, with many places to stop and look/take pictures of the vibrant fall colors. Check out this location for some of the best places to see fall colors and foliage near Jersey City.
Speedwell Lake, Morristown
Again, this is a spot that combines the best of fall colors and foliage with calming waters. It is a perfect spot for photographs of the colors and your family! It can be easily driven too, so if walking, hiking, and biking don’t 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 color-changing leaves. You don’t want to miss this area as it has some of the best places to see fall colors and foliage near Jersey City.
Monksville Reservoir, Passaic County
This man-mand reservoir is nothing short of stunning, and then the trees surrounding the water turn bright firey colors; it is undoubtedly a sight to behold.
Staten Island Greenbelt
Finding an undisturbed and woodsy 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 colors this forest offers. You and the kids will feel like you have been transported into a magical, colorful land.
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 in the Catskills.
Waterloo Village: Stanhope, NJ
This is an excellent place to view NJ fall foliage and have a fun, unique fall experience. Stanhope is a restored 19th-century village with tons of unique shops, fall festivals, and historic tours.
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. Perfect for avid anglers, hikers, and picnickers, yet in the 19th century, the park was a mined iron ore site. The gushing river against the grey boulders and dark green hemlocks creates a majestic beauty in any season.
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, New Jersey, United States.
Ramapo Mountain State Forest
This hilly forest provided a sanctuary for wildlife and was 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 provides an excellent spot for fishing and birdwatching.
Wharton State Forest — Hammonton
Wharton State Forest is the largest state forest in the U.S. state of New Jersey. In addition, it is the largest single tract of land in the state park system of New Jersey. They also 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 beautiful colors.
Hamilton Park, Jersey City
Don’t forget to stop by Hamilton Park to see some beautiful colors and foliage. If you don’t want to head to the big state parks, head to Hamilton Park! It is a perfect local spot to enjoy the colors.
Updated November 11th, 2021
