How long does peak last at National Mall?

About four days at the top, Oct 27 to 30, with a week or so either side that's still worth the drive.

Is National Mall past peak?

Yes. Peak was around Oct 28, and on Nov 10 it's fading.

Back to the map

Park·DC·167 acres

National Mall

Forecast issued Nov 10, 7:57am ET

Photograph: More Than Just Parks

Peak colorOct 28Aim for Oct 27 to 30

In the area today, Nov 10Fading

Roadsides and wetland edges turn first, and the woods behind them run a few days later.

No new reports from the ground here this week.

Still greenStartingNearly peakPeakPast peakNo fall canopy we forecast

Around National Mall The counties around it are painted by how far along their color is today, Nov 10.

When is peak fall foliage at National Mall in 2026?

Our forecast puts peak color at National Mall around Oct 28, and the four days to aim for are Oct 27 to 30.

National Mall, fall color week by week, 2026
Week	In the area
Oct 12 to Oct 18	Starting to turn
Oct 19 to Oct 25	Nearly peak
Oct 26 to Nov 1	Peak color
Nov 2 to Nov 8	Just past peak

Today from the NEON.D02.SERC.DP1.00033 camera, 31 km from National Mall — See it now PhenoCam Network, Smithsonian Environmental Research Center camera, 31 km away, captured Nov 9.

Plan this trip

If you can only come on certain days

Set the days you can be here. Everything under them answers for those days, not for peak.

ArrivingLeaving

Tuesday, October 27 to Wednesday, October 28

You’ll find it peak color.

That's the day our forecast puts peak color here.

Where to drive: Skyline Drive, about 78 miles · Route 39 (Goshen Pass), about 148 miles
What turns: sweetgum, blackgum, red maple, water oak, white oak

Questions people ask about National Mall

When is peak fall foliage at National Mall?: Our forecast puts peak color at National Mall around Oct 28, and the four days to aim for are Oct 27 to 30.
Where is the best fall color at National Mall right now?: On Nov 10 the area is fading.
How long does peak last at National Mall?: About four days at the top, Oct 27 to 30, with a week or so either side that's still worth the drive.
Is National Mall past peak?: Yes. Peak was around Oct 28, and on Nov 10 it's fading.

This forecast is built from the species that stand here, their elevation and this September’s weather, and corrected in season by cameras, foresters and our own crew. We score it here against 7 long-running forest cameras: two dates in three land within 13 days of the camera’s own peak. How this map is made

Every state we forecast

Nearby, and when they turn

Shenandoah and Assateague Island are on the map above, with their own date.

Prince William Forest ParkVA · about 29 miles
Peak Oct 29 best Oct 28 to 31
Catoctin Mountain ParkMD · about 58 miles
Peak Nov 4 best Nov 3 to 6
Spruce Knob-Seneca Rocks National Recreation AreaWV · about 125 miles
Peak Oct 16 best Oct 15 to 18
Petersburg National Battlefield ParkVA · about 126 miles
Peak Nov 2 best Nov 1 to 4

Fall color roads near National Mall

Nearest first. Distances are straight-line from the area, so allow more by road.

Skyline Drive · about 78 miles, VA · 105 miles of road
The full length of Shenandoah National Park from Front Royal to Rockfish Gap. 75 overlooks in 105 miles. Best in mid-to-late October.
Route 39 (Goshen Pass) · about 148 miles, VA · 18 miles of road
A quiet Valley of Virginia gem that follows the Maury River through a gorge of red oaks and hemlocks.