When the leaves start to turn, Morris County becomes one of the best places in North Jersey to watch fall roll in. Between the county park system, two state parks, and a couple of quiet arboretums, you can find red maples, golden hickories, and burnt orange oaks without driving far from home. Here is where to see fall foliage in Morris County, and when the color usually peaks.
When leaves peak in Morris County
Morris County sits in the higher, cooler northern part of the state, so the color tends to arrive a little earlier than it does at the shore. In most years the leaves peak from the middle to the end of October, usually around the third and fourth weeks of the month. The New Jersey Division of Parks and Forestry posts weekly fall foliage reports through the season, and they are the easiest way to time a trip. Cool nights and sunny days are what push the color along, so peak can slide a week in either direction from one year to the next.
The best spots for fall color
Pyramid Mountain Natural Historic Area in the Kinnelon and Montville area is a favorite for good reason. The ridge and its rock outcrops open up long views over the tree canopy, and on a clear day you can pick out the Manhattan skyline. The trail up to Tripod Rock is the classic fall hike.
Mahlon Dickerson Reservation in Jefferson Township sits at the highest elevation in Morris County, which gives its ridge-top views some of the widest sweeps in the county once the trees light up.
Tourne County Park, straddling Boonton Township, Denville, and Mountain Lakes, has an overlook near the top with a broad view of the surrounding hills and, again, the New York City skyline off in the distance.
Hacklebarney State Park in Chester Township is one of the prettiest fall settings around, with the Black River running through a rocky gorge and the color reflecting off the water.
Schooley’s Mountain County Park in Washington Township wraps trails around Lake George, so you get both hillside color and lake reflections on one easy loop.
Lewis Morris County Park in Morris Township, with its loops around Sunrise Lake, is an easy, family-friendly option close to Morristown.
Frelinghuysen Arboretum in Morris Township has 127 acres of labeled trees and gentle paved paths, which makes it a good pick for a relaxed walk or a stroller.
Willowwood Arboretum in Chester Township is the quieter cousin, a 130-acre collection of native and exotic trees spread across rolling hills.
Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge in Harding and Long Hill rounds out the list. The boardwalks at the Wildlife Observation Center put you right out in the wetlands as they change.
Tips for leaf peeping
Head out on a clear day a day or two after the first real cold snap, when the color tends to pop the most. Mornings give you softer light and thinner crowds, which matters at busy trailheads like Pyramid Mountain. Wear layers and real shoes, since the higher trails can get muddy this time of year, and check our guide to the best hiking trails in Morris County if you want to turn a foliage trip into a longer walk. For water and color together, our guides to Morris County waterfalls and the best lakes in Morris County pair perfectly with peak season.
