Peep this: 10 great spots to view fall foliage in N.J.

From the northern to the southern most point, New Jersey is a great destination for autumn leaf peepers this fall.

Fall has arrived, and in full spirit of the season's name, this year's crop of festive foliage may hit the ground quicker than normal.

New Jersey's lack of rain over the summer has dried out the leaves quicker, and stress causes the chlorophyll to break down more quickly than normal. The combination limits the full color-changing ability of the leaves, and means they are falling before fully changing colors.

The annual phenomenon has already begun in the northern region of the Garden State. Counties in central New Jersey will see the changes soon, and the grand finale will occur on the eastern shore in late October.

To assist in your hunt for the perfect fall foliage display, here are 10 spots from Sussex to Cape May where the leaves will hopefully shine with their happy harvest hues. Each of these locations is unique, but all provide an opportunity to see New Jersey's autumn display, no matter how long it lasts.

Delaware Water Gap

In Sussex County, the Kittatinny Ridge -- part of the Delaware Water Gap -- provides miles of amazing scenery. The rolling hills surrounding Kittatinny Lake are covered with lush foliage. The Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area covers 70,000 acres in New Jersey and Pennsylvania.

This is a view of Carnegie Lake in Princeton, looking north. (File photo) 

Skyline Drive

Located in Passaic County is an elevated route called Skyline Drive. This panoramic boulevard runs between Oakland and Ringwood, and has many overlooks and hiking trails that lead to beautiful views of Ramapo Mountain State Forest.

Alpine

Alpine, known as New Jersey's wealthiest locale, provides views of the Palisades' forest-covered cliffs and New York's rocky coastline. The Alpine area offers great hiking trails surrounded by colorful leaves.

Scenic Byway

Driving along Route 29 through Hunterdon and Mercer counties provides nearly 35 miles of Delaware River scenery. This picturesque course has been named a Delaware River, New Jersey and National Scenic Byway.

Bass River State Forest

The first forest acquired by the state in 1905, Bass River State Forest has eight easy walking trails from one mile to more than three miles long, in addition to the Batona Trail which runs for 50 miles through Bass River, Wharton, and Brendan T. Byrne state forests.

The fall foliage is seen here at Merrill Creek Reservoir in Harmony Township. (File photo) 

Fort Mott State Park

This Civil War-era fortress is part of a three-fort system designed to work with Fort Delaware on Pea Patch Island, and Fort DuPont in Delaware City, Delaware. Not only is Fort Mott filled with color-changing trees, but the view of Pea Patch Island from the Pennsville shoreline is vibrant.

Pine Barrens

The New Jersey Pine Barrens -- or Pinelands -- cover 1.1 million acres, which is 22 percent of the state's landmass. Monmouth, Ocean, Burlington, Camden, Atlantic, Cumberland, and Cape May counties all share the Pinelands' forests. While the land is named for its nutrient-poor soil, it does support a vast forest which provides a spectacular show of color this time of year.

Wharton State Forest

Wharton State Forest -- stretching through  Atlantic, Burlington, and Camden counties -- is the largest, single tract of land in New Jersey's state park system. Covered in dense forestry, Wharton includes hiking trails, rivers and streams, and historic Batsto Village.

New Jersey Lighthouses

The coast of New Jersey, from the mouth of the Delaware Bay, south to the tip of Cape May Point, and up the shoreline to Liberty State Park, is dotted with guiding lights in the form of light houses and rear range lights. Those who climb to the top of these glowing towers can see for miles out into the Atlantic Ocean, but can also see some of the state's most lush countryside. Cape May Lighthouse in Cape May County, Finns Point Rear Range in Salem County, Barnegat Lighthouse in Ocean County, and Navesink Twin Lights in Monmouth County, are just four of the 11 major lighthouses in the state.

New Jersey Turnpike

The Garden State is sliced diagonally in half by a 122-mile long stretch of highway -- known as the N.J. Turnpike -- between Salem and Bergen counties. While this simple expressway is sometimes deemed monotonous and mundane, if you take a moment to look up from the pavement, you'll see some of New Jersey's most colorful roadside scenery. While there are stretches of suburban sprawl and city sights, the stretch of the Turnpike from around Exit 10, south to Exit 1, provides a practical and accessible tour of the state's fall foliage.