Memorial Parkway·DC, Maryland, Virginia·8,748 acres
George Washington Memorial Parkway
Forecast issued Nov 10, 7:57am ET
Roadsides and wetland edges turn first, and the woods behind them run a few days later.
1 report came in from Arlington County this week, 1 of them near peak. They moved our date 1 day later. See the county on the map.
When is peak fall foliage at George Washington Memorial Parkway in 2026?
Our forecast puts peak color at George Washington Memorial Parkway around Nov 3, and the four days to aim for are Nov 2 to 5.
That's 7 days later than our model alone would say, because this season's reports from the ground moved it.
| Week | In the parkway |
|---|---|
| Oct 19 to Oct 25 | Starting to turn |
| Oct 26 to Nov 1 | Nearly peak |
| Nov 2 to Nov 8 | Peak color |
| Nov 9 to Nov 15 this week | Just past peak |
- 0–1,000 ftJust past peakpeak Nov 396%
Height off 3DEP inside the parkway’s own boundary; each band carries the date our model gives that elevation, corrections and all. The percentage is how much of the parkway 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 tripIf you can only come on certain days
Set the days you can be here. Everything under them answers for those days, not for peak.
Monday, November 2 to Tuesday, November 3
You’ll find it peak color.
That's the day our forecast puts peak color here.
- Where to drive
- Skyline Drive, about 73 miles · Route 39 (Goshen Pass), about 143 miles
- What turns
- white oak, northern red oak, red maple, shagbark hickory, blackgum
What turns, and when
- white oak27%
- northern red oak24%
- red maple18%
- shagbark hickory12%
- blackgum6%
- sweetgum5%
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 Memorial Parkway
- When is peak fall foliage at George Washington Memorial Parkway?
Our forecast puts peak color at George Washington Memorial Parkway around Nov 3, and the four days to aim for are Nov 2 to 5.
- Where is the best fall color at George Washington Memorial Parkway right now?
On Nov 10 the parkway is just past peak.
- How long does peak last at George Washington Memorial Parkway?
About four days at the top, Nov 2 to 5, with a week or so either side that's still worth the drive.
- Is George Washington Memorial Parkway past peak?
Yes. Peak was around Nov 3, and on Nov 10 it's just past peak.
- What trees turn color at George Washington Memorial Parkway?
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 7 long-running forest cameras: two dates in three land within 13 days of the camera’s own peak. How this map is made
Nearby, and when they turn
- Peak Oct 29 best Oct 28 to 31
- Peak Nov 4 best Nov 3 to 6
- Peak Oct 11 best Oct 10 to 13
- Peak Nov 3 best Nov 2 to 5
- Peak Oct 16 best Oct 15 to 18
- Peak Nov 2 best Nov 1 to 4
Fall color roads near George Washington Memorial Parkway
Nearest first. Distances are straight-line from the parkway, so allow more by road.
- Skyline Drive
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)
A quiet Valley of Virginia gem that follows the Maury River through a gorge of red oaks and hemlocks.