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Forecast issued Nov 10, 7:57am ET

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National Forest·Kentucky, Virginia, West Virginia·1,801,390 acres

George Washington and Jefferson National Forests

Forecast issued Nov 10, 7:57am ET

Peak colorOct 25Aim for Oct 24 to 27
In the forest today, Nov 10Fading
SepOctNov

Higher ground turns first, so the slopes above the road lead the valley by a few days.

Weather Hard frost Friday night. Peak may come early and go fast.

No new reports from the ground here this week.

I-79I-95I-26I-81RoanokeMeadsLynchburgChristiansburgHarrisonburgRichmondStauntonDanvilleMonongahelapeak Oct 14Shenandoahpeak Oct 11Mount Rogerspeak Oct 24Blue Ridge Parkwaypeak Oct 20George Washington and Jefferson
I-79I-26I-81I-85RoanokeLynchburgRadfordHintonPrincetonSummersvilleFayettevilleStauntonMonongahelapeak Oct 14Mount Rogerspeak Oct 24Blue Ridge Parkwaypeak Oct 20George Washington and Jefferson
Still greenStartingNearly peakPeakPast peakNo fall canopy we forecastInside the line, each band of elevation is painted on its own date.
Around George Washington and Jefferson National Forests Alleghany County holds most of the forest and is fading today. Bath County, to the east, is 3 days ahead. Rockingham County, to the northeast, is 3 days ahead.
George Washington and Jefferson National Forests fall foliage map 2026: the unit and the counties around it painted by how far along their color is on Nov 10. Peak forecast around Oct 25, best Oct 24 to 27.
Save or share this mapToday’s George Washington and Jefferson National Forests fall foliage map as a picture, redrawn every morning. Free to reuse with credit to More Than Just Parks and a link back; the terms.Save the mapPin itFacebookXEmail

When is peak fall foliage at George Washington and Jefferson National Forests in 2026?

Our forecast puts peak color at George Washington and Jefferson National Forests around Oct 25, and the four days to aim for are Oct 24 to 27.

The forest runs from about 1,056 to 3,356 feet, and the color comes downhill over about 13 days: the high stands around Oct 20, the low ground around Oct 29. That's 7 days later than our model alone would say, because this season's reports from the ground moved it.

George Washington and Jefferson, fall color week by week, 2026
WeekIn the forestElevation at peak
Oct 5 to Oct 11Starting to turn
Oct 12 to Oct 18Nearly peak
Oct 19 to Oct 25Peak color2,000 to 2,500 ft, 2,500 to 3,000 ft, 3,000 to 3,500 ft
Oct 26 to Nov 1Peak color1,000 to 1,500 ft, 1,500 to 2,000 ft
Nov 2 to Nov 8Just past peak
By elevation The forest runs from about 1,056 to 3,356 feet. That’s 13 days of season between the top and the bottom: the high stands peak around Oct 20, the low ground holds until about Oct 29, and the color comes downhill in between. The date at the top of this page is the 2,000 to 2,500 foot band.
  1. 3,000–3,500 ftLeaves downpeak Oct 2010%
  2. 2,500–3,000 ftFadingpeak Oct 2218%
  3. 2,000–2,500 ftFadingpeak Oct 2429%
  4. 1,500–2,000 ftFadingpeak Oct 2721%
  5. 1,000–1,500 ftJust past peakpeak Oct 2915%

Height off 3DEP inside the forest’s own boundary; each band carries the date our model gives that elevation, corrections and all. The percentage is how much of the forest stands in it.

That’s 7 days later than our model alone would say. This season’s reports from the ground moved it, and they outrank us.

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.

Saturday, October 24 to Sunday, October 25

You’ll find it just past peak up high, nearly peak lower down.

Up at 3,000 feet the stands peak around Oct 20; down at 1,500 feet they hold on until about Oct 29. Pick your elevation for the day you come.

  • 3,000–3,500 ftJust past peakpeak Oct 20
  • 2,500–3,000 ftJust past peakpeak Oct 22
  • 2,000–2,500 ftPeak colorpeak Oct 24
  • 1,500–2,000 ftNearly peakpeak Oct 27
  • 1,000–1,500 ftNearly peakpeak Oct 29
Where to drive
Route 39 (Goshen Pass), about 29 miles · Highland Scenic Highway (Route 150), about 34 miles · Skyline Drive, about 99 miles
What turns
northern red oak, white oak, red maple, shagbark hickory, sugar maple

What turns, and when

Also named across Virginia, outside what the canopy read measures here: Tulip Poplar, Sourwood.

Shenandoah's overlooks reveal a warm mosaic of gold tulip poplars, scarlet maples, bronze hickories, and the deep wine of white oaks stretching along the Blue Ridge.

Questions people ask about George Washington and Jefferson National Forests

When is peak fall foliage at George Washington and Jefferson National Forests?

Our forecast puts peak color at George Washington and Jefferson National Forests around Oct 25, and the four days to aim for are Oct 24 to 27.

Where is the best fall color at George Washington and Jefferson National Forests right now?

On Nov 10 the forest is fading. The last band to peak was 1,000 to 1,500 feet, around Oct 29.

How long does peak last at George Washington and Jefferson National Forests?

About four days at the top, Oct 24 to 27, with a week or so either side that's still worth the drive. Across the forest's elevations the color moves over about 13 days, so there's peak color somewhere in it for roughly 17 days.

Is George Washington and Jefferson National Forests past peak?

Yes. Peak was around Oct 25, and on Nov 10 it's fading.

What trees turn color at George Washington and Jefferson National Forests?

Red Maple, Tulip Poplar, White Oak, Hickory, Sourwood. Shenandoah's overlooks reveal a warm mosaic of gold tulip poplars, scarlet maples, bronze hickories, and the deep wine of white oaks stretching along the Blue Ridge.

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 16 long-running forest cameras: two dates in three land within 7 days of the camera’s own peak. How this map is made

All of Virginia

Nearby, and when they turn

Monongahela is on the map above, with its own date.

  1. Cranberry WildernessWV · about 38 miles
    Peak Oct 14 best Oct 13 to 16
  2. Mountain Lake WildernessVA, WV · about 39 miles
    Peak Oct 17 best Oct 16 to 19
  3. New River Gorge National Park and PreserveWV · about 57 miles
    Peak Oct 22 best Oct 21 to 24
  4. Bluestone National Scenic RiverWV · about 57 miles
    Peak Oct 23 best Oct 22 to 25
  5. Gauley River National Recreation AreaWV · about 62 miles
    Peak Oct 24 best Oct 23 to 26

Fall color roads near George Washington and Jefferson National Forests

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

  • Route 39 (Goshen Pass) · about 29 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.

  • Highland Scenic Highway (Route 150) · about 34 miles, WV · 22 miles of road

    Runs along the crest of the Allegheny Mountains above 4,000 feet. One of the least-visited and most beautiful fall drives in the eastern US.

  • Skyline Drive · about 99 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.