Our partners at the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Bureau of Forestry provide a Fall Foliage Report each year that provides information on the peak times across the state to see fall color. Here in Western Pennsylvania, some counties are currently at peak while most counties are nearing vibrant color. According to DCNR, Pennsylvania has a longer and more varied fall foliage season than any other state in the nation or anywhere in the world!

Chlorophyll helps trees turn sunlight into food and when sunlight is in short supply, levels of this green pigment fade, revealing vibrant oranges and yellows. And in some trees – like maples – glucose is trapped in the leaves after photosynthesis, turning them red. Sunny days and cool nights in late summer and early fall help produce beautiful, bright autumn colors.

While there are plenty of great opportunities to see fall foliage at state parks and forests, the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy also has trails across the region where you and your family can trek the woods and experience the peace and solitude nature provides – while seeing the natural beauty of the fall foliage season. View this list below or learn more about all WPC-owned preserves on our Explore Our Preserves page.

1.

Bear Run Nature Reserve

LOCATION: Stewart Township and Springfield Township, Fayette County and Lower Turkeyfoot Township, Somerset County - VIEW ON MAP
ACTIVITIES: Hiking, Camping, Birdwatching, Hunting (by permit only) and Fishing
SIZE: 5,119 acres
TRAILS: 28 miles

2.

Beechwood Farms Nature Reserve

LOCATION: Borough of Fox Chapel, Allegheny County - VIEW ON MAP
ACTIVITIES: Hiking, Wildlife Watching and Bow Hunting (by permit only)
SIZE: 131 acres
TRAILS: 5 miles

3.

Bennett Branch Forest

LOCATION: Jay Township, Elk County; Huston Township, Clearfield County - VIEW ON MAP
ACTIVITIES: Hiking, Biking, Wildlife Watching, Fishing and Hunting
SIZE: 1,465 acres
TRAIL: 3.6-mile loop

4.

 

Dutch Hill Forest

LOCATION: Heath Township, Jefferson County - VIEW ON MAP
ACTIVITIES: Off-Trail Hiking, Wildlife Watching and Hunting
SIZE: 490 acres
TRAIL: Off-trail hiking

5.

Helen B. Katz Natural Area

LOCATION: Hayfield Township, Crawford County - VIEW ON MAP
ACTIVITIES: Hiking, Wildlife Watching, Hunting and Fishing
SIZE: 552 acres
TRAIL: 0.5 miles

6.

Joshua C. Whetzel, Jr. Memorial Recreation Area

LOCATION: Confluence Borough, Somerset County - VIEW ON MAP
ACTIVITIES: Hiking, Wildlife Watching and Hunting
SIZE: 40 acres
TRAIL: 1.2 miles (up and back)

7.

Toms Run Nature Reserve

LOCATION: Ohio and Kilbuck townships, Allegheny County - VIEW ON MAP
ACTIVITIES: Hiking, Wildlife Watching and Hunting
SIZE: 369 acres
TRAIL: 3-mile loop

8.

Wolf Creek Narrows Natural Area

LOCATION: Slippery Rock Township, Butler County - VIEW ON MAP
ACTIVITIES: Hiking, Wildlife Watching, Hunting and Fishing
SIZE: 243 acres
TRAIL: 1.5-mile loop

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About the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy:
The Western Pennsylvania Conservancy (WPC) enhances the region by protecting and restoring exceptional places. A private nonprofit conservation organization founded in 1932, WPC has helped to establish 11 state parks, conserved more than a quarter million acres of natural lands and protected or restored more than 3,000 miles of rivers and streams. The Conservancy owns and operates Frank Lloyd Wright’s Fallingwater, now on the UNESCO World Heritage List, which symbolizes people living in harmony with nature. In addition, WPC enriches our region’s cities and towns through 130 community gardens and other green spaces that are planted with the help of more than 7,000 volunteers. The work of WPC is accomplished through the support of more than 10,000 members. For more information, visit WaterLandLife.org or Fallingwater.org.