Leaf Peeping Season in the ANF
Leaf Peeping Season in the ANF
Take in a Spectacular Show in the Allegheny National Forest Region of PA
Fall is when Mother Nature puts on the show of year! The Allegheny National Forest (ANF) consists of over 513,000 acres of land located in northwestern Pennsylvania with over 80 species of trees. Of these 513,000 acres, over 60 percent is covered in trees - the perfect destination for fall leaf peeping.
As you travel into the forestlands of Pennsylvania, you will discover the beauty of the Allegheny National Forest, enjoying the many trails perfect for a fall hike. The Kinzua Bridge State Park, home of the Kinzua Sky Walk, is a must-see during the fall foliage season. What fun to plan a nearby “staycation” in one of the many choices of lovely B&Bs, cabins, campgrounds, hotels, historic inns, or a grand four-star lodge.
Generally speaking, maples reach peak color earlier in the season and have more vibrant fall leaf color than oak trees. The areas in the higher elevations, such as the Kinzua Bridge State Park at 2,136 feet, the Kinzua Bridge Scenic Byway (Lindholm Road), and Pennsylvania Route 6 in Mount Jewett and Lantz Corners, are usually the first areas of our region to show fall color. The trees in the areas around the Allegheny Reservoir and the Allegheny River corridor will change color later in the season.
Sunshine yellow, bright scarlet, rich gold, and vibrant orange foliage will cover the hillsides like a patchwork quilt. The brightest colors are usually in October, but due to the early frost this year, fall leaf color is already beginning to show on some of the maples at the higher elevations. The length of the season, and the quality of fall color, will depend on Mother Nature.
Joshua Hanson, District Silviculturist for the Allegheny National Forest predicts, “Peak color for the ANF will occur in the first half of October. If I were planning a weekend trip to do some leaf peeping, the first three weeks in the month would be on my short list.”
Two designated scenic byways offer exciting opportunities for fall leaf peeping. The first area to show fall color will be along the Kinzua Byway, which leads to the Kinzua Sky Walk. The Kinzua Byway is a tree-lined, two-lane byway which connects Pennsylvania’s Route 6 to the Kinzua Bridge State Park. The Longhouse National Scenic Byway circles the Allegheny Reservoir in the ANF, offering stunning overlooks at Rimrock, Kinzua Point and Jakes Rocks. A side trip to Kane from the southern tip of the byway offers an opportunity to shop for fresh farm produce at Bell’s Market, dine at Table 105, Texas Hot Lunch 4 Sons, enjoy a specialty cocktail at CJ Spirits, wine tasting at Flickerwood Wine Cellars, or a craft brew at Logyard Brewery.
AWESOME! WOW! TWO WORDS TO BEST DESCRIBE THE KINZUA SKY WALK
The Kinzua Sky Walk is a historic viaduct reinvented as a skywalk following a tornado in 2003 which twisted and tossed 11 of the original 1900 steel towers into the Kinzua Gorge. Recognized as “One of the top 10 most scenic skywalks in the world” by the Culture Trip, U.K., the amazing skywalk invites visitors to walk 624 feet into the Kinzua Gorge at a height of 225 feet to peer through the partial glass floor of the skywalk at the fallen towers below. The skywalk offers a stunning 360-degree view of the gorge. The Kinzua Bridge Visitors Center, located at the park, showcases the amazing history of this structure, which when first built of iron in 1882, and then rebuilt of iron in 1900, was the highest and longest railroad viaduct in the world. A true engineering masterpiece.
For those seeking adventure, hike down the side of the gorge to peer at the fallen towers of the viaduct. For those who enjoy biking or a longer hike, the Knox & Kane Rail Trail (a 3.8-mile linear trail) can easily be accessed from the park. The Kinzua Sky Walk is open from 8:00am-dusk, seven days a week. The Kinzua Bridge State Park Visitors Center is open from 10:00am-6:00pm daily. Admission is free for both the skywalk and the visitors center. When traveling, use the GPS address of 296 Viaduct Road, Mt. Jewett, Pa.
PLAN YOUR STAYCATION
Three of the lovely mansions located within the Smethport Mansion District - the Blackberry Inn, the Sheriff Sartwell Mansion, and the Mansion District Inn - all offer first rate accommodations in the charming village of Smethport. A stroll around Hamlin Lake with dinner at the Smethport Bistro is a relaxing and refreshing end for your day spent enjoying the colors of fall.
In Port Allegany, the Inn on Maple Street was highlighted in the “15 Top Romantic Getaways in Pennsylvania” article by US News.
In Bradford, stay at the Best Western Plus Bradford Inn and walk to a variety of great restaurants or enjoy a brew at the Bradford Brew Station. Two fun and quirky lodging choices - the Skinny Building Bradford, and the Bradford Flat Iron Building - offer overnight accommodations in historic buildings located within the National Historic District of Bradford. The Mountain Laurel Inn has beautifully decorated rooms, a parlor, dining room and a porch swing, inviting you to relax and enjoy the crisp autumn air.
Plan a private getaway in the Allegheny National Forest by booking your staycation at the Timberdoodle-A Little Cabin in the Woods. In Kane, the Kane Manor will pamper you after your day of leaf peeping along the Longhouse National Scenic Byway. In the ANF, cabins, RV, and tent sites may be booked online at www.recreation.gov.
FALL FOLIAGE PREDICTION MAP AND LOCAL INFORMATION
The interactive fall foliage prediction map produced by www.SmokeyMountains.com is probably the best visual planning guide available, as it is based on data including historical precipitation, precipitation forecasts, elevation, actual temperatures, and temperature forecasts.
For local fall color information, a daily fall foliage photo and update, plus downloadable scenic driving trail maps and lodging choices, go online to www.VisitANF.com.