National Recreation Area·New Jersey, Pennsylvania·58,143 acres
Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area
Forecast issued Nov 10, 7:57am ET
Roadsides and wetland edges turn first, and the woods behind them run a few days later.
Weather Hard frost Friday night. Peak may come early and go fast.
1 report came in from Pike County this week, 1 of them past peak. Our date held. See the county on the map.
When is peak fall foliage at Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area in 2026?
Our forecast puts peak color at Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area around Oct 8, and the four days to aim for are Oct 7 to 10.
The recreation area runs from about 371 to 1,351 feet, and the color comes downhill over about 3 days: the high stands around Oct 6, the low ground around Oct 9. That's 9 days earlier than our model alone would say, because this season's reports from the ground moved it.
| Week | In the recreation area | Elevation at peak |
|---|---|---|
| Sep 21 to Sep 27 | Starting to turn | |
| Sep 28 to Oct 4 | Nearly peak | |
| Oct 5 to Oct 11 | Peak color | 250 to 500 ft, 500 to 750 ft, 750 to 1,000 ft, 1,000 to 1,250 ft, 1,250 to 1,500 ft |
| Oct 12 to Oct 18 | Just past peak | |
| Oct 19 to Oct 25 | Just past peak |
- 1,250–1,500 ftLeaves downpeak Oct 610%
- 1,000–1,250 ftLeaves downpeak Oct 717%
- 750–1,000 ftLeaves downpeak Oct 835%
- 500–750 ftLeaves downpeak Oct 923%
- 250–500 ftLeaves downpeak Oct 915%
Height off 3DEP inside the recreation area’s own boundary; each band carries the date our model gives that elevation, corrections and all. The percentage is how much of the recreation area stands in it.
That’s 9 days earlier than our model alone would say. This season’s reports from the ground moved it, and they outrank us.
The place
Situated within the most densely populated region of the United States, Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area provides a unique opportunity to experience tranquil landscapes, rich human history, and striking scenery along 40 miles of the longest free-flowing river east of the Mississippi. The park offers year-round recreation including hiking, paddling, fishing, and hunting.
Established 1965.
If you can only come on certain days
Set the days you can be here. Everything under them answers for those days, not for peak.
Wednesday, October 7 to Thursday, October 8
You’ll find it peak color.
That's the day our forecast puts peak color here.
- 1,250–1,500 ftPeak colorpeak Oct 6
- 1,000–1,250 ftPeak colorpeak Oct 7
- 750–1,000 ftPeak colorpeak Oct 8
- 500–750 ftPeak colorpeak Oct 9
- 250–500 ftPeak colorpeak Oct 9
- Where to drive
- Route 97 (Hawk's Nest), about 20 miles · Palisades Interstate Parkway, about 52 miles · Route 28 through the Catskills, about 71 miles
- What turns
- northern red oak, red maple, white oak, shagbark hickory, sugar maple
What turns, and when
- northern red oak26%
- red maple23%
- white oak20%
- shagbark hickory13%
- sugar maple7%
- blackgum4%
Also named across Pennsylvania, outside what the canopy read measures here: American Beech.
Pennsylvania's vast forests turn every shade from scarlet maple to burgundy oak to bronze beech, and the Allegheny Plateau produces color that rivals the best of New England across a much larger canvas.
Questions people ask about Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area
- When is peak fall foliage at Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area?
Our forecast puts peak color at Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area around Oct 8, and the four days to aim for are Oct 7 to 10.
- Where is the best fall color at Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area right now?
On Nov 10 the recreation area is leaves down. The last band to peak was 250 to 500 feet, around Oct 9.
- How long does peak last at Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area?
About four days at the top, Oct 7 to 10, with a week or so either side that's still worth the drive. Across the recreation area's elevations the color moves over about 3 days, so there's peak color somewhere in it for roughly 7 days.
- Is Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area past peak?
Yes. Peak was around Oct 8, and on Nov 10 it's leaves down.
- What trees turn color at Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area?
Red Oak, Sugar Maple, Red Maple, Hickory, American Beech. Pennsylvania's vast forests turn every shade from scarlet maple to burgundy oak to bronze beech, and the Allegheny Plateau produces color that rivals the best of New England across a much larger canvas.
This forecast is built from the species that stand here, their elevation and this September’s weather, and corrected in season by cameras, foresters and our own crew. We score it here against 27 long-running forest cameras: two dates in three land within 10 days of the camera’s own peak. How this map is made
Nearby, and when they turn
- Peak Oct 24 best Oct 23 to 26
- Peak Oct 20 best Oct 19 to 22
- Peak Oct 13 best Oct 12 to 15
- Peak Oct 7 best Oct 6 to 9
- Peak Nov 4 best Nov 3 to 6
Fall color roads near Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area
Nearest first. Distances are straight-line from the recreation area, so allow more by road.
- Route 97 (Hawk's Nest)
A short, thrilling stretch above the Delaware River near Port Jervis. Photograph from the overlook on the east side for the classic shot.
- Palisades Interstate Parkway
Runs along the Hudson River cliffs from the George Washington Bridge north. The understory turns gold beneath towering oaks.
- Route 28 through the Catskills
From Kingston to Margaretville through the heart of the Catskill Mountains. Best in the first two weeks of October.
- Route 30 (Great Northern Catskills)
Runs through Schoharie Valley and into the northern Catskills. Less traffic than Route 28 with equally stunning maple color.
- Mohawk Trail (Route 2)
The original scenic highway in America, crossing the Berkshires. The Hairpin Turn overlook at Florida, MA offers a 60-mile view of color.