Autumn Escapes—Erie

Emily King
23 hours ago
6 min read

Five unbe-leaf-able drives from Erie to catch peak color.

A wide-angle landscape photograph taken at twilight over a large, calm body of water. A prominent row of mossy boulders extends from the foreground into the water toward the distant horizon. The sky is filled with dramatic, streaked clouds painted with intense, saturated hues of deep purple, pink, and fiery orange, with a sunset glow visible on the far-right horizon. — Presque Isle State Park

Autumn in western Pennsylvania is a magical time, as the landscape transforms into a kaleidoscope of seasonal hues. According to the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, Pennsylvania has a longer and more varied fall foliage season than anywhere in the world. Whether you have time for a weekend fall getaway or just a short jaunt outside the city, there are a variety of beautiful drives to enjoy.

Presque Isle and Lake Erie Wine Country

Approximately 30 minutes to 1 hour from Erie

Few places in Pennsylvania offer panoramic lake views, vibrant fall foliage, and rolling vineyards all within a few miles. When you’re fortunate enough to live close to the fourth largest lake in the United States, you don’t have to go far for stunning water views. This is a great route for those who want to stay close to home without sacrificing autumn glory.

Start your day at Presque Isle State Park. Presque Isle is most popular in the summer when visitors flock to its beaches, but with biking and hiking trails, fishing opportunities and abundant wildlife, it’s an underrated fall destination. The park is also populated with a wide variety of trees that burst into color in autumn, including cottonwoods, maples and oaks.

Follow Peninsula Drive and bear to the right to turn onto Fisher Drive about halfway into the peninsula. You’ll see signs for Perry Monument, which honors a naval war hero who led the defeat of the British at the Battle of Lake Erie during the War of 1812. This is also a great spot to look out onto Misery Bay, a sheltered inlet whose calm waters are popular for fishing and boating. It’s a prime location to take your camera out and capture some lakeside autumn scenery.

Drive around the bay and on to Beach 10 and the trailhead for Gull Point. If you’re up for a short hike, the observation tower at Gull Point is a walk of about three-quarters of a mile. This is a great bird-watching spot where you may be able to see rare migratory shore birds.

After returning from Gull Point, head back along Peninsula Drive on the western side, stopping at any of the beaches to look for interesting stones and enjoy the views.

Then take Bayfront Parkway east through Erie until you join Route 5. The landscape transitions into rural countryside and lakeside vineyards—one of the largest grape growing regions east of the Rockies.

Continue your drive through the towns of Harborcreek and North East, passing wineries, farm stands and fruit orchards, stopping to enjoy a glass of wine or some fresh produce and baked goods along the way.

A panoramic landscape view across the placid waters of a large lake under a cloudy, overcast sky. On the far bank, a historic waterfront village featuring a collection of multi-story buildings, charming houses, and a large inn is nestled among mature trees displaying peak autumn foliage in vibrant golds and oranges. The calm lake surface reflects the buildings and the muted sky. — Bemus Point-Chautauqua Lake

Chautauqua Lake and Panama Rocks

Approximately 1 hour from Erie

A quick hour’s drive will take you to Chautauqua Lake in southwestern New York. This 17-mile-long lake is one of the highest navigable bodies of water in North America. The shores are dotted with idyllic small towns, popular for weekend getaways and world-class fishing. A fall drive around Chautauqua Lake will provide beautiful water views, lush golden and orange forests, and picturesque lake towns.

Start your day in Bemus Point, a charming lakeside village. Take a walk through the center of town, stopping at a café or restaurant and visiting some of the unique shops. The lake views will be framed by brilliant fall foliage.

Take the Southern Tier Expressway across the narrow part of the lake just south of Bemus Point, and then connect to West Lake Road, heading north to the Chautauqua Institution. This is a famed nonprofit education center and summer resort, known for its dedication to the arts, music, religion and recreation. The campus streets are lined with ornate Victorian cottages and hotels, and the addition of autumn colors makes it a picturesque destination for photos.

Now head inland and south along Chautauqua Stedman Road, which meanders to higher elevations. Finish your drive at Panama Rocks Scenic Park to see a natural wonder that almost feels otherworldly. This unique geological area features massive sandstone formations that create tight passageways and crevices that are perfect for exploring. The moss-covered rocks contrast beautifully with the reds, golds and bronze of the thick forest.

This drive combines waterfront views, charming small towns, and unique geological formations for a perfect fall adventure.

An aerial photograph capturing a dramatic waterfall within a deep, rocky gorge during peak autumn. The river flows through the gorge, plunging over the wide waterfall. The steep gorge walls and surrounding landscape are a dense, continuous tapestry of trees in brilliant fall colors—reds, oranges, and yellows. A large, arched steel truss bridge spans the gorge high above the falls in the distance. The water is a mix of white rapids at the falls and a calmer, greenish channel below. A small walking path with railings is visible on the right cliff near the falls. — Letchworth State Park High Falls

Letchworth State Park: The Grand Canyon of the East

Approximately 2 hours from Erie

If you’re willing to venture a bit farther from Erie, you’ll be rewarded with a visit to one of the region’s most stunning destinations, Letchworth State Park. Dubbed the “Grand Canyon of the East,” it’s known as one of the most beautiful state parks in the country. Located in western New York, Letchworth features 14,427 acres of diverse landscapes, including a massive gorge with towering cliffs, cascading waterfalls and the beautiful Genesee River.

You’ll start your drive by passing through the northern entrance of the park near Castile. Follow Park Road to the north, which will take you along the western rim of the gorge. At the Mount Morris Dam Overlook, an accessible viewing platform will afford you panoramic views of the gorge and Genessee River below, surrounded by a blanket of fall hues.

Head south to Middle Falls, the crown jewel of Letchworth State Park. This stunning waterfall is more than 100 feet high and 300 feet wide and is one of the most photographed spots in New York. Check out nearby Inspiration Point for the most picturesque views. Great Bend Overlook and Wolf Creek Overlook will give you even more amazing vantage points to see the falls from different angles. These spots are all connected by a winding roadway that’s flanked by stunning fall colors.

You can also visit Lower Falls, another stunning waterfall scene, and end your day with a stop at one of the many picnic spots or just relax for a while in nature before you head home.

Cook Forest and Clarion River

Approximately 2 hours from Erie

A couple of hours southeast of Erie, this scenic drive is the perfect leaf-peeping destination, due to its variety of old-growth forests, river valleys and sweeping views from overlooks.

You’ll begin your adventure at Cook Forest State Park, famous for having some of the tallest old-growth white pines and hemlocks in the northeastern United States. Its Forest Cathedral area has been deemed a National Natural Landmark and is considered one of Pennsylvania’s largest old-growth forests. Other tree species found here include white oak, American beech, black cherry, red maple, northern red oak, black birch, yellow birch, cucumber tree and black gum, providing a spectacular display of gold, orange and crimson each autumn.

Move on to the Seneca Point Overlook. This scenic overlook is the perfect spot for taking in sweeping views of the Clarion River and its surrounding forests, at an elevation of 1,600 feet.

Follow River Road along the Clarion River, where colorful hillsides are reflected in the calm water below.

Finish at Fire Tower Road, and if you’re up to the challenge, climb the 87.5-foot tower for a panoramic view of the surrounding forests. The tower was built in 1929 by Pennsylvania’s Department of Forests and Waters to allow firefighters a 20-mile view of the area. No longer used for fire detection, the observation tower is a popular spot for visitors.

Oil City and Oil Creek State Park

Approximately 1.5 hours from Erie

History lovers will enjoy this drive, which begins in a charming riverside town that is steeped in history, riverside views and brilliant fall foliage.

Start your journey in Oil City, a picturesque town on the banks of the Allegheny River in Venango County. It was officially founded in the 1860s after the discovery of oil nearby, transforming the rural area into a booming industrial town. The region prospered, attracting workers and wealthy businessmen, contributing to the grand Victorian architecture. Today, the town is known for its history in the oil industry and revitalized downtown area.

As you drive down the streets of the city, you’ll see a variety of Victorian homes among the vibrant fall foliage, many overlooking the river. Before you leave, be sure to stop at Justus Park to see where Oil Creek flows into the Allegheny River.

Then head north on PA Route 8, where the town scenery changes to forest views, thick with colorful maple, oak and hickory trees.

You’ll pass through the small town of Rouseville before entering Oil Creek State Park. The road winds through dense forest along Oil Creek—take your time to admire the views. If you’re in the mood for more history, drive to the northern end of the park near Titusville to the Drake Well Museum and Park, where Edwin Drake drilled the country’s first commercially successful oil well in 1859.

Follow Drake Well Road north to East Bloss Street. As you enter Titusville, the forest gives way to a charming downtown where historic buildings and colorful trees create a picture-perfect autumn scene. Titusville is also rich in oil history, and the beautiful Victorian architecture is a reminder of the city’s prosperous past.