Best Places to See Fall Colors in Virginia

Last updated on June 9th, 2024 at 01:08 pm

Keeping up with our tradition of fall color chasing, we have been exploring quite a bit of Virginia since moving to Maryland a few years ago. While most people fancy fall in New England we’d like to show you just how pretty it gets here in the mid-atlantic. In this blogpost we are excited to share some of our top picks to see & do in Virginia in the fall.

Let me add here, that the east coast of the US may be famous for the Appalachian Mountain range but we also have other beautiful ranges such as the Shenandoah Mountains and Blue Ridge Mountains. And Virginia is home to all three of them. It is insanely beautiful to watch these layered mountain ranges change colors as the temperatures drop.

Transportation

The best part about all these places is that they’re a driving distance away from Washington DC. I would recommend renting a car to hit these spots if you are visiting from out of town.

When is it Peak Fall in Virginia?

Since Virginia is further south, peak fall color typically show anywhere from mid-October to end of October. Typically the trees higher up in elevation i.e. on top of the mountains change their colors before the trees in lower elevations i.e. valleys. TIP: I would recommend visiting the second from last weekend in October to be sure of catching some colors.

1. Great Falls, VA

Great Falls is a popular tourist attraction very close to DC but what you need to know is that it has two entrances – one on the Virginia side and one on the Maryland side. Although you cannot go wrong with either, there are a bunch more hiking trails along the Virginis entrance of the falls.

waterfall surrounded by fall colors — Great Falls view

2. Ginko Grove – Blandy Experimental Farms

If you are a little late in the fall colors party then head to Ginko Grove at Blandy Farms in Northern Virginia. Ginko tree leaves typically change colors at the very tail end of the season. At Blandy Farms you’ll find rows of Ginko tree which turns into a spectacular yellow tunnel in autumn. TIP: Best time to go here would be the first week of Nov to see these trees in full glory.

Yellow tree tunnels at Ginko Grove Blandy Farms in Virginia in fall — Ginko Grove Blandy Farms

3. Skyline Drive – Shenandoah National Park

If you haven’t heard of skyline drive then you must be new to the area. It’s one of the most famous drives here in the mid-Atlantic during autumn. You can enjoy the breathtaking fall views of the layered mountains on skyline drive from its many overlook points. There are also plenty of hiking options within the park which is indeed refreshing in the autumn crisp weather. The best part is that is only two hours away from DC. TIP: If you are headed to Skyline drive this fall check out our blog for other things to do nearby such as visiting a winery and/or going to a cavern.

Blue Ridge Parkway in Autumn — Fall colors in Shenandoah National Park

Skyline Drive in fall Shenandoah National Park

4. Charlottesville

Not far from Shenandoah NP is the cute city of Charlottesville wrapped around the Blue Ridge Mountain range. Charlottesville is also a bustling college town with UVA located within the city limits. A visit to this quaint and historic city in autumn will not disappoint. It is very well known for it’s wineries, orchards as well as the manors of past US presidents. FUN FACT: Three past Presidents of the US have their homes in Charlottesville – Thomas Jefferson (Monticello), James Madison (Montpelier), and James Munroe (Highland). You can take a tour of these properties today.

5. Blue Ridge Parkway

As soon you exit Shenandoah National Park in the south, you will literally hit the beginning of Blue Ridge Parkway (BRP) which is 469 miles long, and stretches across the states of Virginia & North Carolina. I’d highly recommend going on a Blue Ridge Parkway road trip which is especially brightened up by fall colors. There are plenty of overlooks and stops to take along the parkway which we have highlighted in that detailed post.

Autumn road trip in Blue Ridge Parkway on East Coast attractions — Blue Ridge Parkway in Fall

6. Natural Bridge

This lesser-known gem in Virginia has to be one of the oldest tourist attractions in the United States. And I say that because you will see initials of George Washington carved on the walls here when he apparently came to visit in 1750. The bridge is, in fact, a native Indian tribal site and was formed many years ago when a cavern collapsed. Legend has it that this bridge appeared right when the native Indians needed it to escape their enemies.

7. McAfee Knob hike in Catawba

One of our favorite hikes in Virginia is McAfee Knob in Catawba, Virginia. It could very well be called Trolltunga of the US with its ledge sticking out. There are 2 trails that lead to the top of the knob, one which is longer and more scenic passes through the Appalachian trail whereas the other is a shorter and easier trail called the “fire trail”. We took the Appalachian trail on the way up and the fire trail on the way back.

If you are up for another good hike or two then a few of our favorites in Virginia along BRP are –

Otters Peak
Otter creek/lake & James river (visitor center)
Humpback Gap Overlook

Girl sitting on the ledge of a cliff overlooking layered mountain ranges bursting with fall colors — Views after the McAfee Knob Hike

8. Mabry Mills

As you keep driving south on Blue Ridge Parkway you’ll hit this iconic spot of Mabry Mills at milepost 176 which is probably the last spot you’ll stop before entering North Carolina. TIP: Give yourself an hour to walk through the entire Mills grounds.

Blue Ridge Parkway Mabry Mills photography in fall — Mabry Mills in Blue Ridge Parkway Virginia

With this list, we hope you are heading to explore some parts of Virginia in the fall! We have personally visited each one of these places so if you have any questions feel free to leave us a comment. If you like this post then don’t forget to share or pin the images below for later.