Poconos, Monroe County, PA -
Pennsylvania, New York and Colorado are the only three states among the 17 states with multiple destinations nominated for the Reader’s Choice Awards for the Best Destination for Fall Foliage by a panel of experts and editors at USA TODAY’s 10Best.
The Laurel Highlands in southwestern Pennsylvania and the Pocono Mountains in northeastern Pennsylvania are both nominated for their third consecutive year.
The Pocono Mountains, which currently stands in fifth place in the online voting, which continues through September 12, finished third last year, eighth in 2020 and fourth in 2019.
The Laurel Highlands, which currently is in seventh place, finished eighth last year, third in 2020 and sixth in 2019.
In the voting description for the Pocono Mountains, USA TODAY notes, “The Pocono Mountains are ablaze with hues of red, orange and yellow come autumn, thanks to the area’s 127 species of indigenous trees, plants and shrubs. Leaf peepers can hop in the car for a scenic cruise along Route 507 near Lake Wallenpaupack or climb aboard a fall foliage train.”
Chris Barrett, president of the Pocono Mountains Visitors Bureau, noted, “The Pocono Mountains is truly a spectacular sight during the fall season. From hopping in the car for a scenic cruise to climbing aboard a fall foliage train or chairlift, there are so many ways to enjoy autumn throughout our 2,400 square-mile, four-county region.”
The Pocono Mountains Visitors Bureau will launch its Fall Foliage Forecast on Thursday, September 8. Split into three distinct zones and updated weekly, the online forecast shows when and where leaves are projected to be at their peak across Wayne, Pike, Monroe and Carbon counties.
