Pennsylvania’s Laurel Highlands region is again among the nation’s 10 best destinations for fall foliage.
The region finished sixth in the USA Today 10Best Readers’ Choice Award for Best Destination for Fall Colors. Results of the nationwide contest were announced Sept. 16.
“Autumn colors peak in this region of the Allegheny Mountains around mid-October, making for a stunning show,” according to USA Today 10Best. “The plethora of hiking and biking trails, including a portion of the Great Allegheny Passage, mean it’s easy to explore the highlands during the height of the season. Several fall festivals add to the welcoming vibes in this region each October.”
Allegany County in Maryland was ranked No. 2 in the USA Today 10Best Readers’ Choice Award. For those who are peeping leaves from the Western Maryland Scenic Railroad or pedaling along the C&O Canal National Historical Park and Towpath, fall really comes alive in this region of the Appalachian Mountains, according to USA Today. Several festivals, including the Heritage Days Festival and George Washington’s Whiskey Rebellion, offer music, eats, and fun during the autumn months.
Laurel Highlands attractions
The Laurel Highlands offers 3,000 square miles of scenic views and recreation. The four-season destination attracts outdoor enthusiasts who enjoy skiing, hiking, biking and golfing opportunities. The Laurel Highlands is also home to historic sites and attractions, family activities and world-class resorts.
This is the seventh consecutive year that the Laurel Highlands region or a destination within it has placed among the top 10 in a USA Today 10Best Readers’ Choice fall foliage contest. Previous awards for Laurel Highlands from USA Today 10BEST include:
In 2025, No. 4 Best Destination for Fall Colors; 2024 No. 2 Best Destination for Fall Foliage, and No. 5 Best Summer Travel Destination; in 2022 No. 7 Best Destination for Fall Foliage; in 2021, No. 8 Best Destination for Fall Foliage and in 2020, No. 3 Best Destination for Fall Foliage.
Fall foliage in the state
Pennsylvania has a longer and more varied fall foliage season than any other state, according to the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR). The Laurel Highlands is an ideal destination for an autumn getaway, with nearly 200,000 acres of public land. A diverse mix of trees – some with their own signature fall color – line the region’s mountain ridges and river valleys to provide a dramatic landscape, according to GO Laurel Highlands press release.
The USA Today recognition follows additional national coverage of the region’s fall scenery. Condé Nast Traveler included the Laurel Highlands in its recent article, “Where to Find the Best Fall Foliage in the USA This Autumn.” TravelPulse also featured the region in “Best Destinations for Families to Enjoy a Fall Foliage Themed Getaway,” published Sept. 12, according to GO Laurel Highlands.
“We know Mother Nature dampened many summer weekends, so we encourage visitors to turn those postponed plans into a Laurel Highlands autumn itinerary,” said Ann Nemanic, executive director of GO Laurel Highlands, the official destination marketing organization for Fayette, Somerset and Westmoreland counties.
“Book an extended getaway and start the morning with a Laurel Highlands Coffee Club stop, then populate the day with a few attractions or a festival or two. September and October are ideal months to relax and unwind with a craft beverage from the Laurel Highlands Pour Tour and end a full day with a cozy night stargazing from a Chestnut Ridge mountaintop.”
Fall festival features
Fall festivals fill the calendar in September and October, with Laurel Highlands staples such as Confluence PumpkinFest (Oct. 1-4), Springs Folk Festival (Oct. 2-3), Delmont Apple ‘n Arts Festival (Oct. 3-4), Fort Ligonier Days (Oct. 9-11) and Seven Springs’ Autumnfest, a nominee for USA Today 10Best’s Best Fall Festival.
“At Seven Springs Autumnfest, you’ll be able to enjoy Pennsylvania’s gorgeous fall foliage in person at this mountain resort,” USA Today wrote. “Over three weekends in October, you can gawk at the leaves, explore the pumpkin patch and hay maze, go on chairlift rides, and enjoy live music and the best of local food vendors and craft artisans in one of the state’s most stunning spots.”
