BUTLER — While sweater weather was elusive until last week, fall foliage season struck Western Pennsylvania a few weeks ago.

“It's a great time to take a hike,” said Jack Cohen, president of Butler County Tourism and Convention Bureau, “and not in a negative way.”

Cohen said whether you go north to Moraine State Park, east to Saxonburg or south to Cranberry Township, “everywhere you look, we have trees.

“There's nothing more beautiful than our community because of all these wonderful trees,” he said, “and we get to see that beauty when the colors change every year, right in our backyard.”

Cohen said he grew up in Pittsburgh, but moving to a more heavily wooded area gave him a sense of calm.

“This time of year, there's nothing better,” he said.

Many local residents enjoy the changing colors, but the number of travelers coming into the county also spikes from September to November, according to Cohen.

“This time of year is probably one of the highlights,” he said. “The trails are filled. Bikes are going up and down the trails because they want to see the trees.”

Moraine State Park hosted a total of 2 million people in 2017, Cohen said, noting the bureau doesn't break up its park attendance by season.

Cohen added that the park's 17,000 acres can be very peaceful, no matter how busy the season.

“There are days you'll go in there, and there will be a lot of cars,” he said, “but you won't see a single person.”

While Cohen said it is free to enjoy the fall foliage and there is “no need to pay for entertainment,” he also said the number of travelers coming to the area add to tourism revenue.

“Farm tours are a great trend this year,” Cohen said. He said the farms, pumpkin patches, corn mazes and haunted hayrides are also beneficial attractions for the area.

“(Cheeseman) Fright Farm stuff, too — shooting paintballs at zombies ... it's (all) lively and fun.”

Cohen said one of the top attractions for the season, which he believed was close to being or already sold out, is the cruises offered at Moraine State Park to highlight the changing leaves.

“It is, without question, the most beautiful sight to go up and down the lake and see the colors reflect against the water and in the trees,” Cohen said. “It's truly amazing.”

In addition to individuals, groups take trips to the area because of the foliage. Cohen said the Pennsylvania State Grange Conference, which is being hosted at the Pittsburgh Marriott North in Cranberry Township, is also “timely” because of the foliage.

“Everyone comes to look at the trees,” he said.

Some of these spikes in tourism have manifested themselves in the form of Airbnb bookings.

According to Airbnb's northeast press secretary, Liz DeBold Fusco, Western Pennsylvania will see the arrival of 1,120 guests between Sept. 15 and Oct. 28, which is up from 827 guests over that time frame last year.

“Data is taken from our platform,” Fusco said. “We know how many guests come into a certain area (and) the number of hosts we have in a certain area. Given the time period we're looking at — which is peak fall foliage tourism season — and the fact that we're seeing the significant (increase) suggests that fall foliage tourism is likely the reason a large portion of guests come into this area.”

Fusco also said the numbers were indicative of guests wanting to see foliage because they were increased from the time immediately before and after peak foliage season.

“Travel trends are motivated by seasonal draws,” Fusco said. “Pennsylvania is unique in having a lot to offer in summer and fall.”