articles

When Fall Leaves Will Peak In Washington PA And Where Best To See Them

Interactive map shows when leaves will peak across U.S.

By Macaroni KID September 18, 2024

Wondering when the color of fall leaves will peak in 2024 near the Greater Washington County Pennsylvania area and where best to see them?

David Angotti can tell you. He is a statistical expert and the co-founder of the site SmokyMountains.com. His love for weather, travel, technology, and the autumn season led him to begin developing a nationwide fall leaf map in 2013 after one Smoky Mountains visitor too many inquired with him when the leaves would be at their fall best.

What started as a fun side-project quickly became the most respected nationwide fall leaf map and one of the best fall resources in the country. Now, tens of millions of people use his map each year to plan everything from photography trips to weddings. But the most common users are simply people wondering when the leaves will peak near them, just like you're wondering when leaves will be at their best fall color in Washington, PA!

While not an exact science, the predictive map uses a complex algorithm that carefully analyzes several million data points and outputs approximately 50,000 predictive data pieces to determine when leaves will peak in each part of the country.

Check out the map below to see when the leaves will peak near Washington PA or another part of the country. Simply move the slider along the bottom to see when leaves are expected to reach peak color in Washington County PA.

Where to go leaf peeping in the Greater Washington PA area

While at Macaroni KID Washington we don't use scientific data to determine the best place to go in Greater Washington County PA to see fall leaves, we think we have pretty good intel!

Here are my family's top five places near Washington County to go leaf-peeping:


 Elena Photo via Canva

Mingo Creek Park

Finleyville, PA 

So many great spots at Mingo...the covered bridges, the streams, the trees and leaves, you can just walk along and enjoy the beauty of nature here. This also makes it a very popular spot for fall photos.


 Ikostudio via Canva

Peterslake Park

560 Center Church Road

If you live in the Peters/North Strabane area, this is close for a casual walk to get out and enjoy nature. There are open green spaces, wooded areas, and of course the lake!  It even offers kayaking and fishing as well. 


 Gratisography from Pexels

Peterswood Park

Meredith Dr, Venetia, PA 15367

A few sentences about the location and why your family enjoys this spot. Taking your kids to the park to play or for a picnic? Just look around and enjoy the fall weather...or just walk down and hit the Peters Arrowhead Trail...


 Ikostudio via Canva

Montour Trail

Canonsburg, Peters Township

Continuing from above, you can hop on the Montour Trail at Peterswood Park or various other locations throughout Peters and Cecil Township. You will feel like you're in a tree tunnel as the leaves change colors and fall around you. Park at the Tandem Connection and rent bikes to enjoy the trail in that way as well or grab some ice cream for a treat or even a pizza right there at Nobby's Pizza, Subs, & Sandwiches.


 Laura Reed from Pexels

Worth the Drive...Sewickley Park-Downtown area

Sewickley Borough, PA 15143

A few sentences about the location and why your family enjoys this spot. We just did my daughter's senior pictures in and around Sewickley. We started in Way Park and moved all around town. When she played volleyball in the area, I spent many Saturday mornings walking the town enjoying the beauty, grabbing coffee, and hitting the Saturday morning Farmer's Market. The area has a really great vibe.


For more areas just in and out of the Greater Washington PA area, check out our article from last year by Studio M Photographic.