Fall Foliage 2017: Best Time To See Leaves Change In Virginia

Watching the leaves change color is one of the best ways to enjoy fall. It's an autumn activity right up there with apple picking, pumpkin carving and Thanksgiving feasting. But if you don't plan ahead and know the peak times to see the best fall colors, you could miss out and the visual spectacle.

Depending on the state, green leaves transform into a stunning explosion of crimson, orange, gold and even purple in certain places — such as Virginia. By taking a quick road trip in your favorite state, or maybe just around the corner, you can enjoy it all, free of charge.

Every region differs when it comes to prime leaf-changing times. Plus, some areas have super-short foliage seasons, leaving you with just a week or so to take in all the natural splendor. (For more local news, click here to sign up for real-time news alerts. Also, like us on Facebook, and if you have an iPhone, click here to get the free Patch iPhone app.)

In other words, if you want to ensure you catch the gorgeous leaves before they fall, you need to make a game plan. Luckily, TripSavvy rounded up the best times to catch the best foliage in Virginia, as well as which colors you can expect to see.

(Note: This interactive fall foliage prediction map is another fun way to see what leafy changes are happening in your state and when. But be warned -- it's pretty addicting.)

The website reports that the dominant colors for this year's Virginia fall foliage will be yellow, orange, purple and red. Peak time for most of the state will be from mid to late October. Peak time for the Hampton Roads area will be late October to early November. It also has a "foliage hotline" at 800-434-LEAF.

Also, the Virginia Department of Forestry has a wealth of information about when and where to check out the leaves' final gasp: Simply choose one of the tours below, print out the route and take it with you as you enjoy the “leaf-peeping” in Virginia.

• Prince William Forest Park is an oasis of natural beauty and human history located only 35 miles south of Washington, DC.
• Charlottesville area: Greene County.
• Harrisonburg area: Rockingham County tour directions | Shenandoah County tour directions
• Lexington area: Bath and Warren Counties tour directions
• Roanoke area: Bedford County tour directions | Craig County tour directions | Franklin County tour directions
• Staunton area: Highland County tour directions

Too, "Visit Fairfax" offers the following suggestions for nearby foliage:

• The George Washington Memorial Parkway
• Great Falls Park, 9200 Old Dominion Dr, McLean
• Burke Lake, 7315 Ox Road, Fairfax Station
• Lake Accotink, 7500 Accotink Park Road, Springfield
• Huntley Meadows, 3701 Lockheed Blvd, Alexandria
• Riverbend Park, 8700 Potomac Hills Street, Great Falls
• Mason Neck State Park, High Point Rd, Lorton
• Fountainhead Regional Park, 10875 Hampton Rd, Fairfax Station
• Meadowlark Botanical Gardens, 9750 Meadowlark Gardens Ct, Vienna

Here's a breakdown of leaf colors from various tree types in Virginia:

• 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

Original article by Patch Editor Rosie Purdy

Photo via Pixabay