Fall tends to come early in New Jersey, and it’s the best time to celebrate before winter’s icy grip takes over. Throughout the state you can take advantage of crisp fall foliage, day hikes with a view, fall festivals, and no shortage of events that let you take in the best sights and sounds of the season. Whether you’re searching for adventure or a fun day with the family, there’s something for everyone with these nine best outdoor fall activities in New Jersey.
The Skylands region is famous for its natural scenery, making this family camping resort a must-do in the fall. Amazing foliage hikes and wildlife viewing are favorite fall activities here, but you’ll want to come to one of their fall-themed weekend events. They have everything from scarecrows to apple chunkin’ to tailgate parties and Halloween activities—and more!
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Hiking to the highest point in the state is only part of the fun in the fall. When you reach the top, you can take in the beautiful fall colors of three states. You’ll want to take the Monument Trail to make it to the obelisk, which you can climb an additional 291 steps for even better views.
One of the biggest cycling events in the state takes place in September. The race consists of routes and lengths for riders of varying degrees of ability, including a shorter route for kids only. If the Gran Fondo isn’t for you, there are plenty of other bike races and rides throughout the state in the fall.
Whether you’ve won the Gran Fondo or you’re just passing through during the fall, there’s no better place for a fall refreshment than the Cosy Cupboard Tea Room. This classic tea service is like a step back in time, offering you fine brews served in fine china. It’s a great way to warm up during your day’s adventures, and you won’t experience tea anywhere quite like here.
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Taking up a full weekend in September, Terhune Orchards celebrates its annual Apple Day. Fun for the whole family, you can expect fresh apple pies, apple cider, and apple donuts, along with other food favorites like roast. There are tons of activities for young and old, including pumpkin painting, live music, a wine tasting room, corn maze, and adventure barn. Best of all, you can roam the orchard and pick your own apples to take home.
Fall calls for specific flavors, even when it comes to beer. You can find a hearty variety of craft and mainstream beer here, along with seasonal variations that make every sip taste like fall. It also helps that their food is as delicious as their bar offerings.
The Quarry Point in this beautiful park overlooks the New York City skyline, but birdwatchers will be more focused on spotting hawks than anything else. The fall is one of the best times to visit this area when hawks are migrating. The park also features several trails for walking, jogging, and hiking.
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While you’re watching for hawks at nearby Mills Reservation, climbers will want to take advantage of the bouldering opportunities at Eagle Rock Reservation. Though rope climbing isn’t a hot activity here, there are plenty of boulders to sate your craving for adventure. The park is a picture-perfect place of rustic beauty, and you’ll want to spend the day exploring all it has to offer in the fall.
Trail riding calls for plenty of brain food to help you power through, so stop at Rodio’s Kitchen for comfort eats before you hit the trails. They’ve got all the classics, from eggs and omelets to homemade sausage and pancakes. Service is quick and prices are friendly so expect nothing short of the best.
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Alli Hill is a freelance content writer and mom of two. She spends most of her free time exploring the great outdoors by trail or by kayak. She is also the founder and director of FreelanceSpeak, a blog to support other freelance creatives.
