Fall is almost here! As the pumpkin spice comes out and the cool weather begins to creep in, the Garden State will soon be blanketed with gorgeous fall foliage.
With the vibrant seasonal colors just around the corner, SmokeyMountains.com released its annual Fall Foliage Prediction Map, described on the website as the “ultimate visual planning guide to the annual progressive changes of the leaves.”
The map allows users across the country to see how fall foliage is forecast to evolve in their state throughout September, October and November.
In New Jersey, the leaves may start to change sooner than you think.
Here’s a look at the Garden States’s fall foliage forecast for 2025, according to SmokeyMountains.com’s Fall Foliage Prediction Map.
When will the leaves start changing colors in New Jersey?
The northwestern corner of New Jersey will begin to see minimal changes as soon as Sept. 8, according to the Fall Foliage Prediction Map. By Sept. 29, bright fall colors will sweep across the entire state as well as New York, Pennsylvania and Delaware.
When will fall foliage peak in New Jersey?
Fall foliage will begin to peak in North Jersey around Oct. 6 with peak colors sweeping across the Garden State by Oct. 20. Per the map, all of North Jersey and parts of the rest of the state will be past peak by Oct. 27.
Why do leaves change color? The science behind fall foliage
In early autumn, the layers of cells between the leaf stem and tree branch stops transporting nutrients and water to the leaf, resulting in trees losing their leaves, according to AccuWeather. This, combined with less sunshine and cool nights, slows down the production of green chlorophyll, allowing other colors to emerge.
As chlorophyll production slows, other chemicals present in the leaves become more prominent, allowing colorful pigments to take over.
Per AccuWeather, the weather also plays a major role in the vibrancy and timing of colorful fall foliage,
“Warm nights can hinder the production of anthocyanins, the pigments responsible for bright reds and purple color leaves,” said AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Paul Pastelok. “An early frost or freeze can stop the leaf’s ability to produce red and purple pigments or just end color of foliage (more browns or increase fallen leaves.)”
Colors also depend on the type of tree, according to AccuWeather, which says that each tree species is unique with leaves that produce a different balance of chemicals. As a result, some trees may have more red leaves while others are more yellow or orange.
Where to see fall foliage in New Jersey
From strenuous hikes to relaxing walks, there is no shortage of spots to check out North Jersey’s gorgeous fall foliage.
Check out the following parks for the best views of fall foliage, as detailed on NorthJersey.com last fall. Each park offers a variety of hiking trails and lookout points.
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Palisades Interstate Park: 12 miles long and 2,500 acres in size, this park along the Hudson River offers more than 30 miles of trails lined with bright fall foliage.
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High Point State Park: Part of the Kittatinny Mountains, this park consists of more then 16,000 acres of forest. It is home to the highest elevation in the state, offering sweeping views of fall foliage in New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania.
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Stokes State Forest: Also located in the Kittatinny Mountains, Stokes State Forest offers more than 16,000 acres of forest mountains, freshwater streams and scenic views of Sussex County. The park has more than 63 miles of trails.
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Hacklebarney State Park: Looking to explore North Jersey’s bright fall colors without going on a strenuous hike? Hacklebarney State Park is 1,186 acres in size with 10 connecting hiking trails, which are almost all less than a mile in length. Most of the paths are either paved or gravel.
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Norvin Green State Forest: Norvin Green State Forest, part of the Wyanokie Wilderness Area, is 5,416 acres in size, offering miles of rugged terrain. Offering a range of trails, hikers have the opportunity to view fall foliage from various vantage points.
To view the interactive fall foliage map, visit https://smokymountains.com/fall-foliage-map.
This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Fall foliage forecast for North Jersey 2025 and where to view