Where to See the Best Changing of Leaves in Virginia

If you're looking for beautiful scenery and changing leaves, then head down south to Virginia.

From the deepest color of crimson to the palest shade of light green, you're sure to be in awe of what the offers state offers if you decide to drive through its scenic beauty.

These are some ideas to get yourself into the autumn spirit and spend time with friends and family

Grayson Highlands State Park

Located near Mount Rogers National Recreation Area and Whitetop Mountain Ski Resort, Grayson Highlands State Park offers stunning views of beautiful mountains.

All visitor centers, camping grounds, and walking paths lead to an overlook, the park's beautiful waterfalls.

Additionally, there are several horse trails, including one for riding horses, a campground with cabins, stables, and trailers available for rent, and parking spots for vehicles.

Visiting the area makes it easy for visitors to spot over 100 semi-wild horses roaming within the Mount Rogers Natural Area State Recreational Preserve.

Check out the 1.5-miles long Rhododendron Trail as well. It offers some beautiful views overlooking the Blue Ridge Mountains, and you'll share them with the park's famous four-legged inhabitants.

Mount Rogers National Recreation Area

Located in southwestern Virginia, the Mount Rogers National Recreation Area protects nearly 200,000 acres of public land.

There are four federally designated wilderness areas, namely the George Washington National Forest, the Blue Ridge Mountains, Shenandoah National Park, and the Appalachian Trail.

As far as recreation goes, there are over 500 mountain biking trails in the area, ranging from 50 to 70+ mile loops with plenty of technical climbs and descents.

It's well known that the autumn foliage is at its best from mid-September through October. So, most people visit when it's at its peak.

To experience an easy walk, go for a hike on the 60 miles of trails winding through the Appalachians in the Mount Rogers National Recreation area. You’ll see stunning views of Virginia’s two highest peaks - Mount Rogers and Whitetop Mountain - plus hundreds of other overlooks.

Potomac Heritage Trail

The Potomac River Heritage Trail is a diverse system of hiking, biking, horseback riding, walking, and running paths that run throughout Washington, D.C., Virginia, and Pennsylvania.

The trail system has varying terrain, taking visitors through land originally discovered by George Washington, following its path along the shores of the Potomac River.

As far as trails go, there are several options for exploring the Shenandoah Valley. You can walk the entire park on foot, ride horses through the woods, pedal a bike anywhere, and catch a water taxi from multiple locations.

If you find yourself along the Potomac Heritage Trail you'll witness many beautiful historic sites, including George Washington's house at Mount Vernon, the historic Alexandria Heritage Trail, and the Fort Circle Park trails in Washington, D. C., one of which was once used to defend Washington, D.C.

Along the Allegheny Mountains, the region is known for its mild weather year-round and some gorgeous views during autumn.

All three parks have additional parking lots and trails for the historical Potomac Heritage Trail.

Shenandoah National Park

Located above Virginia Piedmont, Shenandoah National Park is a great place to go for a hike in the autumn.

Home to some of the rarest species of salamanders in North America, Shenandoah National Park features an amazing diversity of wildlife — from giant black bears to tiny underwater bugs.

For the best experience of visiting Shenandoah National Park, go there in mid-October when the warm yellow and red leaves make for memorable sights.

Those who enjoy fall foliage are most likely to be surprised by the beauty of these leaves when they sneak up on them unexpectedly.

The view from Skyline Drive, which is located between Shenandoah National Park and Great Smoky Mountains National Park, is one of the most scenic drives in America.

If it’s not too cold out, you could go for a short drive into Virginia to visit either of these two hikes. They aren't very long at less than 2 miles each, but they're well worth visiting.

If you don't enjoy going for hikes but still wish to see some beautiful scenery at Shenandoah National Park, check out the areas near its borders.

The Priest Wilderness

The Priest Wilderness is located in southwestern Virginia within the vast George Washington National Forest. With an area of 5,726 acres, the wilderness is known for its wildness.

Those who enjoy hiking may reach the top of the Priest via a shorter hike off the Crabtree Falls Trail or by taking one of the trails from Tye River.

You can see beautiful autumn colors at their peak through early November.

Starting at Crabtree Creek and continuing westward through Torrey Ridge and the Devil's Knobs, then moving northward into the Blue Ridge Parkway toward Blackrock Mountain, past the Devil's Knob Wilderness Area, and then on to Three Ridges Wilderness.

Pocahontas State Park

Pocahontas State Park is in Chesterfield County, and it has easy access from Interstate 95, Route 288, and Route 360.

Besides boating, picnics, and campsites, the park has numerous recreational facilities for visitors, such as hikes and fishing spots. There are more than 100 lakes available at the park.

Camping is always fun during the fall as there are several campsites close to Richmond.

If you want an unforgettable experience, consider renting a campsite that offers cozy accommodations and cabins. You can go camping, even during the winter!

Mabry Mill

Built-in 1829, one of the most photographed landmarks in America is the water-power grist­mills at Waterbury, Vermont's Shoe Tree State Park.

Thousands of people visit it each year and it's become a popular community meeting spot.

If you're looking for a place to spend an afternoon with family or friends full of autumnal colors, check out Mabry Mill. It's located next to small Galax, VA, and is just awesome.

You'll see exhibits where you can get a glimpse into what life was like here back when this was just farmland.

Known for its restaurants, Mabry Mill offers a variety of delicious dishes from old, classic, and traditional for you to try.

You’ll find lots of fun things for your kids and family at the mall near the entrance to Great Smoky Mountains National Park, too.

Hungry Mother State Park

If you want a quiet place where you can relax by the water, here you're welcome to spend time at the beach, rent a canoe/kayak, go hiking, and bike among the scenic beauty of these woods. Hungry Mother State Park was created as one of the six original Virginia state parks.

If you want to go camping there, you’ll get a chance to do so.

Fall is one of those seasons which offers spectacular views. It's the ideal time when the trees shed their foliage.

Alexandria

Autumn in Alexandria is the most vibrant and colorful time of year. Walking through its historic streets, and enjoying the crisp autumn air is an excellent way to spend some quality time with friends and family.

Besides being well-known for having historic houses and art galleries, this city has over 100 famous tree groves, bringing visitors an incredible fall foliage show every year.

It’s easy to visit an apple orchard nearby and see autumn foliage throughout October. So go for a nice stroll in a park, as each park has its unique color tree species.

There are several ways to experience autumn foliage in Virginia without having to travel long distances. One of these options is to visit Mount Vernon. It winds along the river under the shade of beautiful trees.

After you've finished, go to one of the shops and enjoy a warm cup of coffee in any of Alexandria's cozy cafés.

Natural Bridge State Park in Virginia

The natural wonder of the Natural Bridge has been named one of America's Most Beautiful Bridges by America's Best Idea magazine. And, besides the Natural Bridge itself, the Blue Ridge Parkway is also located within the boundaries of Shenandoah National Park.

The park offers miles of hiking trails through its lush forest, rolling meadowlands, and scenic views of nearby mountains and the surrounding James River Valley.

There are 7 miles of trails leading to Natural Bridge State Park‘s visitors’ center and the Monacosn and Lace Falls Trail, which is open year-round.

When fall comes around, one of the best things you can do is rent a cabin, houseboat, or hotel room for a few days so you can catch beautiful autumn colors.

Sometimes the autumn colors don't appear until the beginning of November.

If you're looking for a short hike where you can enjoy some leaf-peeping, look no further than Laurel Ridge Trail. It starts near Natural Bridge, has a total length of fewer than one mile, and leads to Lover's Leap Overlooking.

Virginia Creeper Trail

The Virginia Creeper Trail is one of the premier trails in the United States. It’s where you can get acquainted with some incredible natural beauty.

You'll also learn about the rich history of Southwest Virginia and its importance for transportation.

People who visit here can hike, bike, or ride horses here. The autumn leaves are spectacular and the weather is perfect for hiking.

Riding a bicycle or carrying your gear, taking a bus up the mountain, and hiking through the woods are some of the most common pastimes for visitors to this region.

There isn't anything that makes one person better than another when hiking. Everyone should be able to go out and enjoy nature.

You can choose from different levels of challenges and they're easy to get into whether you're new to rock climbing or experienced.

Fall Foliage in Virginia

During the autumn months, travel around the state of Virginia will introduce you to a colorful array of natural beauty. Virginia’s vast forests, famous for their vibrant red, gold, orange, yellow, green, and purple leaves, will provide you with ample opportunities to capture stunning shots of these majestic trees against the backdrop of rolling hills and sparkling rivers. You may even spot some deer along the way! If you're looking for something a bit different than the typical sightseeing experience, take advantage of some unique locales in Virginia for hiking, biking, fishing, and kayaking activities.

Virginia's varied topography offers a long fall foliage season. From early to late October, fall color peaks can range from Nov. 1 to Dec. 7. However, date ranges may differ from year to year.

Enjoy the scenery wherever you go in Virginia this autumn!

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