The Jim Thorpe area is gearing up for its annual fall foliage festival during the first three weekends in October.

However, when thousands of people from around the country converge on the borough to view its fall scenery and take in various events, parking is always a problem.

Over the last few years, Carbon County, Jim Thorpe and some surrounding groups have opened up parking areas outside of downtown Jim Thorpe in the hopes of providing visitors with various options when the county-owned lot is full.

In addition to the Carbon County parking lot, which holds approximately 400 vehicles, the county is again offering parking and shuttle service from Mauch Chunk Lake Park.

Reservations for spots at the lake are now being taken on the county website at https://www.carboncountypa.gov/services/parking and click on “Fall Foliage Parking.” It is noted this is the only county lot with parking reservations. The downtown Jim Thorpe lot remains first come, first served and paid via the kiosks in that lot.

The Mauch Chunk Lake parking has five time slots available each day with a total of approximately 125 vehicle permits for the day.

Families using this option should note that bikes are not allowed on shuttles and only service animals are permitted on the shuttle.

In addition to Mauch Chunk Lake, several other organizations are again offering parking options. They include Immaculate Conception, 178 W. Broadway; Sam Miller Field, 122 North Ave., Pocono Whitewater, 1519 Route 903; and Whitewater Rafting Adventures, 101 W. Adventure Trail, Nesquehoning.

For more information on parking options and availability during October, visit www.jimthorpe.org/parking.