Fall is one of the busiest seasons in the Poconos, and for good reason. Oaks and maples turn the ridges red, orange and gold, and the color moves from north to south over a few weeks, so a trip anywhere in October usually catches good color somewhere nearby.
The Pocono Mountains Visitors Bureau says color typically peaks in early to mid October, with the northern Poconos first and the southern Poconos, including Carbon County and Jim Thorpe, often in late October. Weather shifts the timing every year, so check the state's weekly foliage report before you go.
When the leaves peak
In its 2026 forecast, the visitors bureau put peak color at October 8 to 14 for the northern and central Poconos (southern Wayne, Pike and northern Monroe counties) and October 20 to 28 for the southern Poconos (southern Monroe and Carbon counties, including Jim Thorpe). That's the usual pattern: north first, south about two weeks later. The state's typical timing is October 1 to 10 for northern Pennsylvania, October 10 to 20 for the middle of the state and October 20 to 31 for the southeast.
Pennsylvania's Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) posts a fall foliage report every Thursday in season at pa.gov/agencies/dcnr/conservation/forests-and-tree/fall-foliage-reports. In its October 22, 2026 report, Carbon County was at peak and Monroe and Pike were "still nice but declining", with chestnut and white oaks at peak in the Poconos.
Scenic drives
The visitors bureau recommends these fall drives. Two start right where our homes are.
- Route 390 from Cresco: north through Mountainhome and past Skytop to Promised Land State Park.
- Route 903 from Lake Harmony: south to Jim Thorpe, past Hickory Run and the Lehigh Gorge.
- Route 402: through Delaware State Forest past Pecks Pond and Porters Lake, down to Marshalls Creek.
- Route 507: around Lake Wallenpaupack to Greentown.
- Route 6: Milford, Hawley and Honesdale.
- Route 209 north: Delaware Water Gap to Milford, through Bushkill and Dingmans Ferry.
- Route 209 south: Stroudsburg to Lansford, with a detour on Pohopoco Drive to Beltzville State Park.
- Viewpoints: Tank Hollow Overlook and Irving Cliff near Honesdale. Big Pocono State Park, on top of Camelback Mountain, has views of three states.
Fall trains and festivals in Jim Thorpe
- The Lehigh Gorge Scenic Railway runs Autumn Leaf trains from Jim Thorpe Station, 1 Susquehanna Street. In 2026 they ran September 26 to November 15, about 45 minutes round trip. Book ahead for October weekends. Parking in Jim Thorpe is run by Carbon County.
- The Jim Thorpe Fall Foliage Festival fills the historic downtown with craft and food vendors and live music at four spots. In 2026 it ran the first three weekends of October (October 3-4, 10-11 and 17-18). Check for next year's dates before you plan around it.
