09/21/2026
🍂 My 4 picks
1. 🍁 Peak Foliage at Jim Thorpe
Historic downtown + colorful mountains + Lehigh Gorge. The 2026 forecast puts the southern Poconos, including Jim Thorpe, around October 20–28 for peak color.
2. 🚂 Autumn Leaf Train through Lehigh Gorge
This is probably one of the most visually recognizable “fall Poconos” experiences. The Autumn Leaf Train runs September 26 through November 15, 2026, taking passengers through the foliage around Jim Thorpe and the Lehigh Gorge.
3. 💦 Bushkill Falls in Peak Color
Instead of simply saying “hiking,” make it + fall foliage. The central Poconos are projected to reach peak color around October 8–14, 2026, and Bushkill Falls is specifically highlighted as a fall foliage destination.
4. 🎉 Jim Thorpe Fall Foliage Festival
This is your big “you need to go” event. It runs October 3–18, 2026, across the first three October weekends, with food and craft vendors, live music, and the town surrounded by fall color.
Save this before your fall weekend fills up. 🍂