by Donald Wood
Last updated: 6:00 AM ET, Sat September 9, 2023
Whether it’s a trip to see the changing leaves in New
England or a last-chance trip to a Florida beach, Americans have plenty of
options when booking fall travel to the East Coast of the United States.
While New York City, Maine and South Carolina will always remain
top destinations as temperatures dip, Northeastern Pennsylvania is the
best-kept secret for autumn vacations in 2023 and beyond.
Increased demand and traveler congestion at the most popular
hotspots have caused many introverts to spurn traditional vacations for
something off the beaten path, and that’s precisely what Northeastern
Pennsylvania provides.
Ricketts Glen State Park
Set on over 13,000 acres of land in Columbia, Luzerne and
Sullivan counties, Ricketts
Glen State Park is a National Natural Landmark that offers anyone who
visits a chance to enjoy unadulterated nature in its purest form.
The park offers over 26 miles of trails that have become a prime
attraction, highlighted by the 7.2-mile Falls Trail located in the Glens
Natural Area. Waterfalls range in height from 11 feet to the 94-foot-tall
Ganoga Falls, with rocky terrain and steep descents that challenge hikers and
rewards them in full.
For those looking to relax, Ricketts Glen also boasts a
massive carved sand beach at Lake Jean, boat rentals and multiple boat launches,
fishing areas, a snack bar and more. Add in thousands of acres of changing
autumn leaves, and there are few more picturesque backdrops in the U.S.
Worlds End State Park
Located in Sullivan County, Worlds
End State Park is a 780-acre property that offers year-round recreational
options, including camping, cross-country skiing, hiking, hunting, fishing, rafting
and more.
In addition to fun activities, the park provides a rugged
natural beauty during the fall that cuts through the heart of the Endless
Mountains landscape and offers many photo opportunities for travelers looking
to snap a selfie.
Worlds End State Park also provides some of the best views
along the East Coast between September and November, with Loyalsock Canyon
Vista and nearby High Knob Vista providing unmatched panoramas of the region,
stretching over 20 miles.
Lackawanna State Park
For big-city travelers from Philadelphia and New York driven
by the autumn hues of the changing foliage, the 1,445-acre Lackawanna
State Park is located just ten miles north of Scranton.
The park affords visitors various activities, including
boating, camping, fishing, horse riding, hunting, mountain biking, picnicking
and winter sports when the snow arrives. The park's centerpiece is the 198-acre
Lackawanna Lake, surrounded by picnic areas and multi-use trails.
For those looking to arrive via car or recreational vehicle
for an extended stay, the 61-site campground at Lackawanna State Park is within
walking distance of the lake and boasts electric hook-ups and a modern
washhouse with restrooms and showers. There are also three large areas for
group tenting at the park.
Knoebels Amusement Resort
For travelers hitting the road with children, Knoebels Amusement Resort provides the thrills of a theme park without
overcrowding and high prices. Located at Elysburg in Columbia County, the
property is the largest free-admission park in the U.S.
In addition to more than 60 rides—including three wooden
roller coasters, three steel roller coasters, a 1913 carousel and two haunted
houses—Knoebels also operates a massive picnic grove and campground.
The park is open to fall travelers on weekends through the
end of October and again at the end of November through December for the
Christmas Village. The property also houses an 18-hole golf course, multiple
sit-down and take-out restaurants, museums and more.
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