Fall Foliage in Virginia: When Will Leaves Peak?

PHOTOS: You can pedal along the Potomac waterfront under a canopy of changing leaves in Alexandria; Hungry Mother State Park, Pocahontas State Park; photos courtesy of Visit Alexandria; Virginia State Parks; map shows fall foliage peak times in Virginia, courtesy of the Virginia Department of Forestry. (Click on photos and map above to enlarge.)

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When will fall foliage peak in Virginia? A map (see above) recently released by the Virginia Department of Forestry shows peak times and locations.

The map shows that leaves in areas to the west of I-95 in Northern Virginia will peak between Oct. 15-25; areas to the east of I-95 show they will peak between Oct. 20-31.

Here’s a report from the Virginia Department of Forestry for this coming weekend (Oct. 10):

Despite last week’s heavy rains, the forest color palette is beginning to change this week in the higher mountain areas. At high elevations in southwest Virginia and along the Blue Ridge Parkway, yellow patches are most obvious, dominated by early sugar maples, hickories, black birch and yellow-poplar.

The upper elevations of Shenandoah Valley are also showing patches of yellow. All over the mountains, reds can be seen in early changers like Virginia creeper, dogwood and black gum. Check out this under-appreciated species along roadsides where it can be identified at a distance by its branching pattern, at right angles to the trunk. Meanwhile, shades of green will predominate for awhile in central and eastern Virginia.

In general, trees with greater exposure in any location are among the earliest changers and may even lose their leaves early if the weather is rainy or windy. But don’t worry, the show is just getting started, and there are still billions of leaves left to change! The last few sunny days will be especially helpful in developing the red and orange colors.

You can also keep track of fall colors by calling:

• Fall Foliage Report - 1.800.424.LOVE

Wonder how the leaves change color? For a simple explanation, check the department’s Education section for a publication called “Virginia in the Fall.”

Scenic drives near Northern Virginia

• Prince William Forest Park is an oasis of natural beauty and human history located only 35 miles south of Washington, DC.
• You can begin on Route 15 traveling north from Loudoun County towards Maryland and the Potomac River. You might stop at Oatlands Plantation in Leesburg, or at Ball’s Bluff Regional Park.
• From Leesburg, follow Route 15 north on King Street and you’ll soon approach Morven Park. If you continue west, you’ll come to the Loudoun Valley Vineyards. As you continue north on Route 15 through the rolling countryside, you’ll come across the small town of Lucketts and Tarara Vineyard and Winery. Go south onto Route 662, and you’ll find picturesque villages in Virginia’s horse country.
• Another option from Route 15 is to take Route 672 to Route 673 and head south on Route 690 to Route 719, other Scenic Byways. This drive takes you parallel to the Appalachian Trail. Veer towards the trail on Route 7 and you’ll come to the Breaux Vineyard. Pick up Route 734 further south in Bluemont, and you’ll come to Willowcroft Farm Vineyards.
  
• Order a free Virginia Travel Guide here.
• Find some autumn adventures on the Fall in Fairfax County Web site
• Parks in Alexandria where you can enjoy the fall colors.