Fall Foliage in Virginia

This map of Virginia shows the approximate dates of peak color for fall foliage.

Oct. 10 - 20
Oct. 15 - 25
Oct. 20-31

Fall is one of the most beautiful times of year in Virginia, and traveling throughout the state during this season can reveal an abundance of color. As you enjoy the outdoors and Virginia's forests, remember to be careful with outdoor fire. A cigarette, campfire or cooking equipment can destroy the scenic wonders of Fall in Virginia.

 

 

 

 

 


Weekly Fall Foliage Report

Welcome to the Fall Foliage Report from the Virginia Department of Forestry.  Here's our report for the weekend of November 10.

Autumn took its time arriving this year, but there’s no doubt of the season now.  The highest mountain areas are beginning to brown and lose their leaves, thanks in part to recent rains.   But many mountain areas below 3,000 feet are at peak color this weekend, including much of the Blue Ridge Parkway and Shenandoah Valley.   The Piedmont also offers colorful viewing this weekend.  Red and sugar maples are waving bright flags of orange, pink and red, while hickories have melted into clear golden yellows.  Interspersed with the green of pines, these trees create blocks of color that rival a crazy quilt.   Don’t forget, oaks tend to color later, and their best hues are still to come.

Photo by Ellen Powell - Sweetgum (Liquidambar styraciflua) is the underappreciated “tree of many colors.”  This one is at Va. Dept. of Forestry Headquarters in Charlottesville.

 start of fall foliage forest

Virginia Trees and Colors

Tree Fall Leaf Color
ash yellow, maroon
beech yellow to orange
dogwood scarlet to purple
hickory golden bronze
oak red, brown or russet
poplar golden yellow
red maple brilliant scarlet

VDOF Recommended Fall Foliage Driving Tours

So, you’re interested in seeing some of the beauty that is Virginia during Fall Foliage season? But you don’t want to fight the traffic that clogs some of the best-known places, such as Skyline Drive?

Well, you’ve come to the right place! The Virginia Department of Forestry VDOF) is proud to present its first ever VDOF-Recommended Fall Foliage Driving Tours. And who better than the folks who know Virginia’s trees best to provide you with routes that will expose you to some of the Commonwealth’s most colorful tree-lined vistas?

Each of these tours – designed by a local VDOF forester – is sure to exceed your expectations and fill your eyes with wide swatches of vibrant yellows, reds and oranges. And, because these recommended drives are “off the beaten path,” you’ll be able to enjoy a leisurely trip without the hassles of a lot of traffic on the road or large crowds at stops along the way.

Simply choose one of the tours below, print out the route and take it with you as you enjoy the “leaf-peeping” in Virginia!

Additional Routes to see fall foliage

Fall Foliage Information

By Phone

Online

Fall Foliage Activities

Why do leaves change color?

Most leaf colors are already in the plant leaf.

  • Chlorophyll gives leaves their familiar green color.
  • Carotenoids produce yellow, orange, and brown colors.
  • Anthocyanins add color to red apples, blueberries, cherries, strawberries, and plums. They are water soluble and appear in the watery liquid of leaf cells.

Both chlorophyll and carotenoids are present in the chloroplasts of leaf cells throughout the growing season. During this time, chlorophyll is produced and broken down and leaves appear green. As days get shorter, chlorophyll production slows down until it stops. The green color is no longer visible, and other pigments present (carotenoids) with the chlorophyll are then revealed. During autumn, bright light and excess plant sugars produce anthocyanins within leaf cells.

Learn more about Why Leaves Change Color, Autumn Colors, and the Anatomy of a Leaf.

Last modified: Wednesday, 07-Nov-2018 11:10:14 EST