Morris Co. Borough Among Best In The U.S. For Fall Foliage: Report

MORRIS COUNTY, NJ — Fall is around the corner, which means it's the perfect time to plan a trip to see one of the most beautiful features of the season: fall foliage.

The North East is often the first location that comes to mind when you think of landscapes changing with colors of red, orange and yellow, and according to a recent survey, one Morris County municipality has been rated among the top spots in the country.

Mountain Lakes has come in at spot No. 25 on the list of the 55 top towns for leaf peeping recently published by the American lifestyle and home magazine “Country Living.”

"This town offers such beautiful lakeside views, you'd never guess it was a suburb of New York City," the publication said about the local borough.

Three favorite hiking spots in Mountain Lakes to watch the changing leaves are Tourne County Park/Richard M. Wilcox Park in the Tourne neighborhood to the west, Halsey Frederick Park between the Mountain Lakes High School tennis courts and the YMCA, and the Maple Way Woodlands east of the railroad tracks.

On a clear day, hikers who climb to the top of Tourne County Park will also be rewarded with a panoramic view of the New York City skyline.

For much of North Jersey, the best time to enjoy fall foliage is in mid-October, when the leaves are projected to be at their most vibrant.

The forecast suggests leaf peepers in the Garden State should see a vibrant display of Mother Nature's annual autumn showcase this year, compared to typical years, according to Paul Pastelok, the senior meteorologist and long-range forecast expert at AccuWeather.

Other great hiking paths near Mountain Lakes to see the changing leaves include:

• Boonton Falls
• Pyramid Mountain
• Farny Highlands Trails
• Mahlon Dickerson Reservation
• Patriots Path
• The Great Swamp
• Jockey Hollow

For more information, visit the Morris County Parks Commission website.