Fantastic Fall Foliage in the Allegheny National Forest: Kinzua Skywalk, Festivals & Scenic Drives
Fantastic Fall Foliage in the Allegheny National Forest Region
There are few places in the Northeast where fall arrives with such dazzling drama as the Allegheny National Forest region of northwestern Pennsylvania. Just a quick 45-minute drive south from Ellicottville, NY, visitors find themselves immersed in more than half a million acres of forestland, transformed each autumn into a mosaic of fiery reds, golden yellows, and glowing oranges.
Here, peak foliage color typically stretches from the last week of September through the first two weeks of October. The air is crisp, the days are sunny, and the nights cool - perfect for road trips, bike rides, festivals, and exploring the rich outdoor opportunities that make this part of Pennsylvania an autumn wonderland.
The Star of the Season: Kinzua Bridge State Park
No fall trip to the region is complete without a visit to Kinzua Bridge State Park, home of the legendary Kinzua Skywalk. Once the world’s longest and tallest railroad viaduct, the bridge partially collapsed during a tornado in 2003. What remains today has been reimagined as a breathtaking pedestrian walkway extending 624 feet into the Kinzua Gorge. At the end of the Skywalk, a glass-bottomed observation deck offers a heart-pounding look 225 feet straight down to the forest floor.
In autumn, this view becomes even more unforgettable. The rolling hills of the Allegheny National Forest, blanketed in vibrant foliage, stretch endlessly toward the horizon. With each gust of wind, colorful leaves drift into the gorge like confetti. Walking the Skywalk during peak fall color is an experience that blends history, engineering, and natural beauty into one moment of awe.
The best part? The Skywalk is open to foot traffic daily through October 31, 2025. After that, access will pause until next year’s fall foliage season - yet another reason to plan your trip now, before the opportunity slips away.
Celebrate Autumn at the Kinzua Fall Festival
Every fall, the hills surrounding Mount Jewett come alive with the Kinzua Bridge State Park Fall Festival. This year marks the 26th annual celebration, happening September 20-21, 2025, from 10:00am to 5:00pm each day. Admission is free, and the festival captures everything that makes autumn in the ANF region special:
Dozens of art and craft vendors
Food trucks serving everything from chicken BBQ to funnel cakes
Live music filling the park with energy
Family-friendly activities for all ages
The festival has become a tradition for locals and visitors alike, a chance to gather at one of Pennsylvania’s most iconic landmarks and soak in the sights, sounds, and tastes of the season.
Getting There: Trolleys, Shuttles, and Bicycles
With its popularity, the Kinzua Fall Festival attracts thousands of visitors. This year, parking is even more limited due to construction equipment in the park’s overflow lot. To make things easier, event organizers are offering a trolley and shuttle service to transport guests to and from the festival grounds.
But here’s the insider tip: the best way to arrive is on two wheels. Cyclists can take advantage of two nearby trailheads: From Mount Jewett, it’s a beautiful 4-mile ride along the Knox & Kane Rail Trail directly into Kinzua Bridge State Park. From Lantz Corners along U.S. Route 219, cyclists can enjoy a slightly longer 7-mile ride into the park.
Both routes offer a safe, scenic, and healthy way to access the festival while avoiding parking hassles. Pedaling through the crisp fall air, with colorful leaves crunching under your tires and a canopy of foliage above, is the kind of autumn memory you’ll treasure long after the season fades.
Outdoor Adventures Beyond the Bridge
The Kinzua Bridge is just one jewel in the crown of the Allegheny National Forest, which offers more than 600 miles of four-season trails. Whether you prefer hiking, biking, or off-road exploration, there’s a trail for every skill level.
Hiking: Trails like Tracy Ridge wind through dense hardwoods and open to sweeping views of valleys painted in fall color.
Biking: Rail trails such as the Knox & Kane or the Clarion Loop provide smooth, scenic rides perfect for families.
ATV and off-road fun: The Marienville and Timberline trails deliver heart-pumping rides through colorful backcountry terrain.
Water adventures: The Allegheny Reservoir and local lakes reflect the fall foliage like mirrors, perfect for kayaking or fishing beneath a canopy of crimson and gold.
And don’t miss the region’s signature overlooks, each offering its own spectacular perspective on fall:
Rimrock Overlook – A dramatic stone stairway leads down to vistas that seem to stretch forever across the reservoir.
Jakes Rocks Overlook – Known for its towering sandstone formations, this site also boasts one of the most expansive views of the Allegheny Reservoir, especially striking at sunset.
Big Bend Overlook – True to its name, this stop showcases the sweeping curve of the Allegheny River, framed by hills ablaze in autumn color.
Marilla Reservoir (outside Bradford) – A quieter gem, where calm waters reflect the brilliant foliage and trails loop peacefully through the woods.
Each overlook offers a new angle on the ANF’s fall brilliance, and together they create a must-see circuit for foliage lovers.
Now Is the Time to Visit
Autumn in the Allegheny National Forest is fleeting but unforgettable. Within just a few weeks, the forest transitions from green to gold, before bare branches announce the arrival of winter. This brief window - late September through mid-October - is your chance to experience the region at its most spectacular.
For visitors from Ellicottville and beyond, the ANF region offers the perfect day trip or weekend getaway. In less than an hour’s drive, you can trade ski hills and golf greens for Skywalk views, artisan festivals, and backroad drives through a sea of color. And with so many events happening this fall, there’s always something new to discover.
Mark Your Calendar: Upcoming Fall Events
Alongside the Kinzua Bridge State Park Fall Festival, the Allegheny National Forest region hosts a lineup of celebrations that make autumn even more exciting:
Jakes Rocks Trail Fest: September 18–19, 2025
Kinzua Bridge State Park Fall Festival: September 20–21, 2025
Fall Festival: Little Mountain Winery – September 20, 2025
Marilla Trail Race: September 20, 2025
Pumpkin Fest: Historic Downtown Bradford – September 27, 2025
Zippo|Case Harvest Fest: Zippo/Case Museum – October 4, 2025
Rock City Park Gem, Mineral, Fossil Show: October 4, 2025
2-Year Anniversary & Fall Fest: Pine Acres Golf & RV Resort – October 4, 2025
Each event offers its own spin on fall fun, from outdoor adventure and live music to local crafts, food, and family-friendly activities.
Don’t Miss the Magic
The Allegheny National Forest region is waiting to be explored this fall. Picture yourself standing on the glass-bottom Skywalk, the gorge glowing in shades of orange and gold beneath your feet. Imagine biking along a leafy rail trail, arriving at a bustling festival filled with the sounds of fiddles and the smell of barbecue. Envision a quiet hike where every turn in the trail reveals another breathtaking vista.
This is the magic of fall in the ANF. But don’t wait - the colors won’t last forever, and neither will the chance to walk the Kinzua Skywalk before it closes at the end of October.
Start planning your trip today at PATrailCentral.com where you can download 7 scenic drives through the Forest and beyond. Then hit the road, soak up the colors, and discover why fall in the Allegheny National Forest is truly fantastic.