Fall Foliage in Lancaster County

People have all sorts of ways for predicting the weather and seasonal outcomes of the year, such as reading a Farmer’s Almanac, studying the way the moss grows on trees, achy bones, etc.

According to the interactive map on SmokeyMountains.com, the peak time for foliage peeping in Lancaster is at the beginning of October. Others may factor in that we have had quite a bit of rain this summer which usually makes for an early autumn. One thing we do know for certain is that Lancaster is beautiful in the fall and so is its foliage.

Below is a list of popular Lancaster County spots to take in the beauty of the season.

Parks and Preserves
Parks are a great place to admire Mother Nature dressed in her fall finery, and better yet they are free! Make a day out of it by taking a hike and packing a picnic lunch. Below are some of our favorite parks around Lancaster County.

• Breezyview Overlook at Chickies Rock County Park
• Lancaster County Central Park
• Lititz Springs Park
• Pinnacle Overlook, Susquehannock State Park
• Speedwell Forge County Park
• Money Rocks County Park
• Middle Creek Wildlife Management Area
• North West River Trail

You can also explore fall foliage and the great outdoors in Lancaster County with Adventure Explorations! Offering climbing, kayaking, cycling, fishing, and more there's tons of ways to experience Lancaster!

For more ideas about beautiful hikes in and around Lancaster County, click here.

Planes, Trains, and Automobiles
Not a hiker? There are still plenty of ways for you to leaf-peep. Sit back, relax and take in the foliage while using one of these modes of transportation. You will also get great views of Lancaster County’s countryside.

• Take a Strasburg Rail Road train ride through the countryside.
• Try a helicopter tour with Smoketown Helicopters over the patchwork of farmland.
• Gaze at the tree tops in a U.S. Hot Air Balloon Ride as you gently float on you may even be able to reach out grab a leaf!
• Drive along Discover Lancaster’s Covered Bridge Tour (this way you can stop and take photos wherever you want to).

For some easy road trips around Lancaster County, check out this blog.

Sip While You Sight-See
See the auras of autumn view while you are sipping. These local vineyards not only serve local wine, but also provide great outdoor spaces to take in the view.

• The Vineyard at Grandview
• The Vineyard and Brewery at Hershey
• Nissley Vineyards
• Waltz Vineyards