Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area
Scenic ridges, with hiking and boating along the Delaware River.
Forest Composition
Conditions & 5-Day Forecast
Nearby Towns
Field notes · 2026 estimate
When to see peak color at Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area
Peak fall color is predicted around October 17. Plan for the strongest viewing window from October 12 to October 22.
The prediction comes from 24 years of fall color records at this spot, checked against what observers on the ground saw. Where state foliage spotters report peak (New York, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin and Missouri), it has landed inside our ±5-day window about two years in three. An unusual summer or autumn can still move it further. Explore fall color around Sussex County and across New Jersey.
That is 1 day earlier than usual (October 18): the six weeks to October 7 ran 0.5°F cooler than the 2001–2025 average, and a cooler run before peak brings forward the color.
Nearby locales
Other places to see color near Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area
1 to 2 hours
- Jenny Jump State Forest30 mi · 1 hr 1 minPeak: Oct 21Status: Moderate color
- Hacklebarney State Park47 mi · 1 hr 31 minPeak: Oct 26Status: Moderate color
- Pocono Mountains49 mi · 1 hr 31 minPennsylvaniaPeak: Oct 14Status: Moderate color
- Beacon63 mi · 1 hr 32 minNew YorkPeak: Oct 24Status: Early color
- Bear Mountain State Park62 mi · 1 hr 33 minNew YorkPeak: Oct 25Status: Early color
- Harriman State Park66 mi · 1 hr 44 minNew YorkPeak: Oct 21Status: Early color
- Duke Farms (Hillsborough)60 mi · 1 hr 45 minPeak: Oct 29Status: Early color
- Cold Spring71 mi · 1 hr 46 minNew YorkPeak: Oct 22Status: Early color