Looking For Great Views Of The Fall Foliage In Our Area?
Here are some great suggestions.
As of mid-October 2026, Armstrong, Butler, Clarion, and Venango Counties are all at peak fall color according to Pennsylvania DCNR reports (bright reds from maples and black gums, golds/yellows from hickories, birches, sugar maples, and aspens; oaks lagging somewhat but adding depth). These northwestern/western PA counties offer river valley overlooks, lake reflections, old-growth forests, and quiet backroads rather than high mountain vistas.
Butler County
• Moraine State Park is the standout. Lake Arthur (over 3,000 acres) is ringed by maples and other hardwoods that put on a strong show—ideal for shoreline views, the paved multi-use/bike trail, Glacier Ridge/North Country Trail sections, or the scenic overlook at Eisler Grove Picnic Area on the South Shore. Paddle, kayak, or take a fall foliage cruise on Preston’s Pearl for water-level reflections. Nearby Jennings Environmental Education Center has easy trails (e.g., Black Cherry and Old Mill) along Slippery Rock Creek with immersive forest color.
• Other solid options: the 21-mile Butler-Freeport Community Trail (wooded rails-to-trails into Armstrong County), Alameda Park, Preston Park, and local spots like Sippel Reservoir or Wolf Creek Narrows.
Clarion County
This area shines with river and forest viewpoints:
• Cook Forest State Park — Drive River Drive (scenic loop through old-growth forest), stop at Seneca Point Overlook, and climb the historic Fire Tower for panoramic views over the Clarion River valley and colorful canopy. Continue along the river for more scenery.
• Brady’s Bend Overlook (Route 68 east of East Brady/Rimersburg) — One of Pennsylvania’s finest roadside vistas, with a dramatic multi-mile sweep of the Allegheny River curving through hills ablaze with color. Nearby: Brady’s Tunnel and the Armstrong Trail.
• Scenic drives along Miola Road (Route 1005), the Clarion River corridor, countryside loops past farms and historic sites (e.g., Helen Furnace), and the Foxburg area (Allegheny River Trail where the Clarion and Allegheny meet; great for walking/biking or riverside views).
Venango County
• Kennerdell Overlook / Scenic Lookout (Kennerdell Road area) — Excellent elevated view of the Allegheny River valley and surrounding hillsides, especially strong in autumn golds. The nearby Kennerdell Tract of Clear Creek State Forest offers additional trails and river overlooks.
• Oil Creek State Park — Forested hillsides along Oil Creek Valley provide immersive color; good for trails and creek-side views.
• River corridors (portions of Route 62 or backroads along the Allegheny) and Clear Creek State Forest tracts deliver classic plateau scenery. Emlenton and nearby river towns offer pleasant drives with foliage framing the water.
Armstrong County
Views here often connect with neighboring counties along the Allegheny River:
• Extensions of the Butler-Freeport Community Trail into Freeport and riverfront areas.
• Proximity to Brady’s Bend (Clarion side but easily accessed) and Armstrong Trail sections near East Brady for river and hillside color.
• Local river valleys (Allegheny/Kiskiminetas) and backroads provide solid roadside foliage; Crooked Creek Lake area and similar parks add water reflections and wooded trails.
• And, try any of the bike trails along the Allegheny River. Trail heads are in Parker, Foxburg, Emlenton, Kennerdell (Rockland) and Franklin.
