Leaf-peeping spots for a fall trip in Pennsylvania

The Keystone State is one of the top in the country for fall foliage, and this time of year, the weather is usually pretty cooperative for camping. The views are spectacular from one end to the other, and there are so many things to do inside and out, it’s hard to know where to start.

If the changing colors are your focus, though, here are some ideas. Just be sure to keep the camera battery charged, and check gocampingamerica.com for the RV parks and campgrounds near each stop.

Southwest

McConnell’s Mill State Park
With the oft-photographed covered bridge in its midst, McConnell’s Mill, which sits 40 miles north of Pittsburgh on Rte 422 via I-79, is a big draw for those looking to take long walks around the picturesque seven miles of trails and a drive to the waterfalls, restored gristmill and Slippery Rock Creek. Pack a picnic, because there are multiple stops along the route through. If you fish or river raft, this is also a top-notch destination.
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Ohiopyle State Park is as scenic as it gets. (istock)


Ohiopyle State Park
The Youghiogheny (pronounced yawk-ah-gain-ee) River runs through this scenic, 19,000-acre state park, which sits 67 miles southeast of Pittsburgh via I-76 and offers river rafting, of course, as well as a paved section of the Great Allegheny Passage to bike on, fishing, horseback riding, hiking and plenty of picnic stops.
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Fallingwater
Frank Lloyd Wright’s masterpiece 68 miles southeast of Pittsburgh via I-76 is a marvel, a relaxing place to contemplate our ability to merge the man-made with nature. Take a tour if you have time, because the guides have great stories to tell about the background of the construction and the conflicts that occurred between the famously cantankerous architect and Edgar J. Kaufmann, the Pittsburgh department store owner who commissioned this fascinating weekend retreat. Because it’s only about 10 minutes from the entrance to Ohiopyle, this is a good pairing with the state park. Admission: $20 adults, $14 ages 6-12
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Northwest


Canoe the Allegheny River
Driving along the Allegheny is delightful this time of year, but if you have the time and inclination to get out and be on the water, there are several outfitters who can get you up close and personal with the river and the surrounding gorgeous fauna and foliage; most trips take just a few hours and cost $35-$50 per person, and the outfitter will shuttle you back to your vehicle. Expect to see all manner of birds and water fowl.
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The lighthouse at Presque Isle. (istock)

Presque Isle State Park and Lake Erie
By the time September kicks in, the air is a bit cool to spend much time on the beaches here, but it’s still nice to walk along, and very pretty to picnic, and the birds and lighthouse added to the changing leaves make for stunning photographs.
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Central

Gettysburg
Now that some of the brouhaha has lessened over the 150th anniversary of the Civil War, the crowds also have lessened, and this is a good time to visit this important battle site. Plan to spend a full day, as the town – where President Abraham Lincoln delivered the Gettysburg Address – and the 6,000-acre national park (including the Military Park and the National Cemetery) all have something interesting to offer.
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Southeast


Hawk Mountain Bird Sanctuary
More than 2,000 acres have been preserved since 1934 along a tract beyond Kittatinny Ridge when you travel Rt. 895, and here some 18,000 birds migrate through annually, including more than a dozen species of raptors. In the fall, you can count on hawks, falcons, ospreys, and merlins, and as November and December kick in, look for golden eagles. There are numerous paths varying in skill level, but the more strenuous ones mean fewer people.
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Reading outlets
The more than 300 shopping outlets clustered in this otherwise charming area have made Reading a bit of a mecca for the bargain-mad, and there really is something for everyone, along with plenty of eateries for refueling.
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Heritage Center Museum, Lancaster
The crafts of the Pennsylvania Dutch are a big draw in this area, and fans will find it worthwhile to stop by this comprehensive collection, which includes quilts, furniture, toys and other regionally created pieces, housed in a 1790s Masonic lodge (13 W. King St., 717-299-6440). Admission: Free.
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The roadtripster is the handle of a longtime Coloradan who travels the country by any means possible, sometimes in an RV, sometimes car camping or in the backcountry, with kids and without.