Shenandoah National Park is Virginia's top destination for autumn foliage. In October, the park's hillsides are covered with oaks and the occasional maple tree. You can spend a few hours on a scenic Skyline Drive or absorb the autumn splendour while enjoying a meal at one of the local resorts. But the park, at 200 acres (80 ha), is worth spending several days in. Take time to experience the local sunset and sunrise, explore hiking trails, spot wildlife and perhaps learn about the park's history with a ranger.
When is the peak autumn foliage in Shenandoah National Park?
Autumn comes to Shenandoah in early October, especially at the higher elevations between the Thornton Gap and Rockfish Gap entrance stations. If you are an early visitor, the landscapes will be mostly gold and green with occasional patches of orange and red. By mid-October, these areas fill with lush gold and yellow, but some trees are already bare. Late in the month, brown shades prevail in panoramas, but you can still catch some bright views on the lower heights between Front Royal and Thornton Gap. Anyway, we recommend checking the latest autumn colour reports on official websites in the external resources listed below.
Best places for fall foliage in Shenandoah National Park
Skyline Drive
Most visitors to Shenandoah National Park choose to go leaf peeping on Skyline Drive, starting south of Front Royal. This scenic route winds 170 km south and offers 75 viewpoints, so you can enjoy dozens of picture-perfect views. The most rewarding eastbound stops are Hazel Mountain, Pinnacles Overlook and Tunnel Overlook. As for west-facing panoramas, check out Jewell Hollow, The Point and Stony Man. A little tip: If you're into a wildlife encounter, drive slowly and watch out for a deer or possibly a black bear beside the roadway. Also, opt for weekdays as weekends tend to be super busy.
Stony Man
If you're ready to do some hiking under fall colours, Shenandoah National Park offers endless options of varying difficulties. But the Stony Man Trail is one of the most popular and fairly easy hikes. It starts from the car park near the north entrance to Skyland. The 1.6-mile (2.6-km) loop is preferred for sweeping panoramas observed from the summit. Note that dogs are not allowed on Stony Man Peak.
Old Rag Mountain
The Old Rag Trail suits those who want to challenge themselves a little. With a 15.1-km route and an estimated 5.5 hours to complete, the Old Rag Mountain Loop is classified as a tough hike. But mentally-blowing autumn foliage landscapes seen from the top are worth your efforts. One essential thing to remember is that hikers must purchase an Old Rag day use pass in addition to entering the park.
Finally, if you have decided to stay in Shenandoah National Park for a while, consider your accommodations in advance, especially if your weekend is planned. The map below suggests available options nearby.
Find hotels and Airbnbs near Autumn Leaves in Shenandoah National Park (Map)
