Fall foliage forecast

Shenandoah National Park Skyline Drive sign picture taken by employee of WZRV/WFTR used by permission

In Virginia, fall is practically a statewide celebration , and it’s all about scenic drives, crisp hikes, and jaw-dropping foliage.

According to SmokyMountains.com’s 2025 Fall Foliage Prediction Map, peak leaf season in Virginia will hit between October 13 and 20, with some areas hitting their most vibrant just a bit later.

In Northern Virginia, colors are expected to approach peak by October 13, with the brightest, most vivid displays arriving between October 20 and 27.

After that, the leaves will begin to fade past their prime.

Want to track the colors in real time?

SmokyMountains.com offers an interactive map where you can slide through the weeks and watch the foliage forecast change across the country, a handy tool for trip planning.

Thanks to cooler-than-average temperatures and below-normal rainfall across the Northeast and Appalachians, forecasters say we’re in for an earlier peak and especially vibrant leaves.

Mountain areas, like the Blue Ridge, will turn first, often a week or more ahead of lower elevations nearby.

That means if you’re planning a leaf-peeping road trip, starting higher up could deliver a better show earlier in the season.

So whether you’re hiking Skyline Drive, winding through the Shenandoah Valley, or taking the back roads through Loudoun or Albemarle counties, October in Virginia is the perfect time to chase the colors.

For more news from across the Shenandoah Valley, click here.

WCSO warns of increased tourism traffic

Used by permission by the Warren County Office employee Sergeant Terry Fritts

WCSO warns that with beautiful fall weather, an annual influx of out-of-town visitors is expected heading to the national park.

This will mean increased traffic on some main roads, especially John Marshall Hwy, South St., S. Royal Ave., and Stonewall Jackson Highway.

To avoid getting caught in the congestion, it’s encouraged to plan ahead and avoid peak traffic times, which are expected to be from 9am-4pm.

WCSO team will be out monitoring roads to ensure things flow smoothly.

For more news from across the Shenandoah Valley, click here.

River Report: 8-26-24

In this edition of our Shenandoah River Reports, Mark Frondorf looks ahead to cooler Fall temps, and provides an alternative to inching along the Skyline Drive in October. Brought to you by Front Royal Outdoors. Cool off in the South Fork this Labor weekend with the help of Don Roberts and his team at FRO. Visit them at https://frontroyaloutdoors.com

Peak fall foliage has arrived

The Virginia Department of Forestry would like to remind you that peak fall foliage has finally arrived.

In the Allegheny and Blue Ridge Mountains, maples, hickories and birches show vibrant reds, oranges and yellows.

In the Shenandoah Valley please be aware of increased traffic due to these mind blowing transformations. 

For more news from across the Shenandoah Valley, click here.