MIDDLE SMITHFIELD TOWNSHIP -- Fall officially begins in one week and that means the leaves in the Poconos will start turning a wide range of colors. Many folks are looking forward to a bright season, especially after last year’s fall beauty was overshadowed by a manhunt.
The Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area is coated in mostly green right now, with a few spots of color hidden in the forest.
Some people are already taking hikes through this park, enjoying a nice preview of the fall foliage.
"There's a bunch of trees that started turning colors. I saw this one tree that was sticking up that was half green, orange and red. It was kind of cool,” said Maria Teller of East Stroudsburg.
"We're looking this year at a season that's going to get to us just a little earlier than usual, maybe just about a week earlier because we've had such a dry summer the leaves are going to change a little sooner this year,” said Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area Spokeswoman.
The forest right now is still thick and dense. It’s exactly what hundreds of troopers didn’t need this time last year while Eric Frein was on the run in the Poconos.
"Right now with all of the leaves on the trees and the shrubs in the understory and the vegetation that's growing on the ground, the forests are still very thick and lush,” said Sandt.
The seven-week long manhunt kept many visitors away and frustrated some businesses that rely on those tourists.
Right now, the fall foliage forecast shows that the leaves will be at their peak Columbus day weekend, which just happens to be less than a month away.
Some tourists are already taking advantage of the early season, hoping to capture the beauty of nature.
"Yeah, unfortunately it seems so early, but it's been so dry. We've been in a drought in Massachusetts believe it or not,” said Mary McCarthy of Boston.
Park rangers say they’re looking forward to a burst of visitors as the acorns and leaves begin to fall.
"As soon as those leaves start to change colors, we're going to see a surge in visitation because it's a great time to get out,” said Sandt.
The Pocono Mountains Visitors Bureau puts out a fall foliage forecast every Thursday throughout the fall season.