Where is the best fall color at Mount Rogers National Recreation Area right now?

On Nov 11 the recreation area is fading. The last band to peak was 2,000 to 2,500 feet, around Oct 27.

How long does peak last at Mount Rogers National Recreation Area?

About four days at the top, Oct 23 to 26, with a week or so either side that's still worth the drive. Across the recreation area's elevations the color moves over about 12 days, so there's peak color somewhere in it for roughly 16 days.

Is Mount Rogers National Recreation Area past peak?

Yes. Peak was around Oct 24, and on Nov 11 it's fading.

Back to the map

National Recreation Area·Virginia·154,913 acres

Mount Rogers National Recreation Area

Forecast issued Nov 11, 7:48am ET

Peak colorOct 24Aim for Oct 23 to 26

In the recreation area today, Nov 11Fading

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

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

No new reports from the ground here this week.

Still greenStartingNearly peakPeakPast peakNo fall canopy we forecastInside the line, each band of elevation is painted on its own date.

Around Mount Rogers National Recreation Area Washington County holds most of the recreation area and is fading today. Grayson County, to the east, is 2 days ahead. Smyth County, to the northwest, is 3 days ahead.

When is peak fall foliage at Mount Rogers National Recreation Area in 2026?

Our forecast puts peak color at Mount Rogers National Recreation Area around Oct 24, and the four days to aim for are Oct 23 to 26.

The recreation area runs from about 2,290 to 4,553 feet, and the color comes downhill over about 12 days: the high stands around Oct 15, the low ground around Oct 27. That's 7 days later than our model alone would say, because this season's reports from the ground moved it.

Mount Rogers, fall color week by week, 2026
Week	In the recreation area	Elevation at peak
Sep 28 to Oct 4	Starting to turn
Oct 5 to Oct 11	Starting to turn
Oct 12 to Oct 18	Nearly peak	4,000 to 4,500 ft, 4,500 to 5,000 ft
Oct 19 to Oct 25	Peak color	2,500 to 3,000 ft, 3,000 to 3,500 ft, 3,500 to 4,000 ft
Oct 26 to Nov 1	Peak color	2,000 to 2,500 ft
Nov 2 to Nov 8	Just past peak

By elevation The recreation area runs from about 2,290 to 4,553 feet. That’s 12 days of season between the top and the bottom: the high stands peak around Oct 15, the low ground holds until about Oct 27, and the color comes downhill in between. The date at the top of this page is the 2,500 to 3,000 foot band.

4,500–5,000 ftLeaves downpeak Oct 156%
4,000–4,500 ftLeaves downpeak Oct 187%
3,500–4,000 ftLeaves downpeak Oct 2015%
3,000–3,500 ftFadingpeak Oct 2327%
2,500–3,000 ftFadingpeak Oct 2530%
2,000–2,500 ftFadingpeak Oct 2715%

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

ArrivingLeaving

Friday, October 23 to Saturday, October 24

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

Up at 3,500 feet the stands peak around Oct 20; down at 2,500 feet they hold on until about Oct 27. Pick your elevation for the day you come.

3,500–4,000 ftJust past peakpeak Oct 20
3,000–3,500 ftPeak colorpeak Oct 23
2,500–3,000 ftPeak colorpeak Oct 25
2,000–2,500 ftNearly peakpeak Oct 27

Where to drive: Blue Ridge Parkway (NC Section), about 77 miles · Highland Scenic Highway (Route 150), about 131 miles · Route 39 (Goshen Pass), about 136 miles
What turns: northern red oak, red maple, white oak, shagbark hickory, sugar maple

What turns, and when

northern red oak28%
red maple22%
white oak20%
shagbark hickory14%
sugar maple8%
blackgum4%

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 Mount Rogers National Recreation Area

When is peak fall foliage at Mount Rogers National Recreation Area?: Our forecast puts peak color at Mount Rogers National Recreation Area around Oct 24, and the four days to aim for are Oct 23 to 26.
Where is the best fall color at Mount Rogers National Recreation Area right now?: On Nov 11 the recreation area is fading. The last band to peak was 2,000 to 2,500 feet, around Oct 27.
How long does peak last at Mount Rogers National Recreation Area?: About four days at the top, Oct 23 to 26, with a week or so either side that's still worth the drive. Across the recreation area's elevations the color moves over about 12 days, so there's peak color somewhere in it for roughly 16 days.
Is Mount Rogers National Recreation Area past peak?: Yes. Peak was around Oct 24, and on Nov 11 it's fading.
What trees turn color at Mount Rogers National Recreation Area?: 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

Bluestone National Scenic RiverWV · about 64 miles
Peak Oct 23 best Oct 22 to 25
Linville Gorge WildernessNC · about 64 miles
Peak Oct 24 best Oct 23 to 26
Mountain Lake WildernessVA, WV · about 70 miles
Peak Oct 17 best Oct 16 to 19
New River Gorge National Park and PreserveWV · about 83 miles
Peak Oct 22 best Oct 21 to 24
Pisgah National ForestNC, TN · about 88 miles
Peak Oct 20 best Oct 19 to 22
Gauley River National Recreation AreaWV · about 105 miles
Peak Oct 24 best Oct 23 to 26

Fall color roads near Mount Rogers National Recreation Area

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

Blue Ridge Parkway (NC Section) · about 77 miles, NC · 252 miles of road
Mile markers 217 to 469. The highest and most dramatic section. Waterrock Knob, Craggy Gardens, and Graveyard Fields are must-stop overlooks.
Highland Scenic Highway (Route 150) · about 131 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.
Route 39 (Goshen Pass) · about 136 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.
Newfound Gap Road · about 137 miles, TN · 33 miles of road
Crosses the spine of the Great Smokies at 5,046 feet. Color peaks at the top in early October and at the base by late October.