National Park·Virginia·119 acres
Wolf Trap National Park for the Performing Arts
Forecast issued Nov 10, 7:57am ET
white oak and northern red oak
red maple and shagbark hickory, peak Oct 15
Peak color should arrive around Oct 15 for the red maple and shagbark hickory, and around Oct 24 for the white oak and northern red oak.
Roadsides and wetland edges turn first, and the woods behind them run a few days later.
2 reports came in from Fairfax County this week, 2 of them at peak. They moved our date 3 days later. See the county on the map.
When is peak fall foliage at Wolf Trap National Park for the Performing Arts in 2026?
Our forecast puts peak color at Wolf Trap National Park for the Performing Arts around Oct 20, and the four days to aim for are Oct 19 to 22. red maple and shagbark hickory peak later, around Oct 15.
That's 4 days earlier than our model alone would say, because this season's reports from the ground moved it.
| Week | In the park |
|---|---|
| Oct 5 to Oct 11 | Starting to turn |
| Oct 12 to Oct 18 | Nearly peak |
| Oct 19 to Oct 25 | Peak color |
| Oct 26 to Nov 1 | Just past peak |
That’s 4 days earlier 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, October 19 to Tuesday, October 20
You’ll find it peak color.
That's the day our forecast puts peak color here.
- Where to drive
- Skyline Drive, about 67 miles · Route 39 (Goshen Pass), about 138 miles
- What turns
- white oak, northern red oak, red maple, shagbark hickory, American sycamore
What turns, and when
- white oak29%
- northern red oak28%
- red maple18%
- shagbark hickory14%
- American sycamore4%
- river birch2%
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.
Across Virginia as a whole: Early-to-mid October at the highest elevations, late October on Skyline Drive, early November in the Piedmont.
Questions people ask about Wolf Trap National Park for the Performing Arts
- When is peak fall foliage at Wolf Trap National Park for the Performing Arts?
Our forecast puts peak color at Wolf Trap National Park for the Performing Arts around Oct 20, and the four days to aim for are Oct 19 to 22. red maple and shagbark hickory peak later, around Oct 15.
- Where is the best fall color at Wolf Trap National Park for the Performing Arts right now?
On Nov 10 the park is leaves down.
- How long does peak last at Wolf Trap National Park for the Performing Arts?
About four days at the top, Oct 19 to 22, with a week or so either side that's still worth the drive.
- Is Wolf Trap National Park for the Performing Arts past peak?
Yes. Peak was around Oct 20, and on Nov 10 it's leaves down.
- What trees turn color at Wolf Trap National Park for the Performing Arts?
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
Shenandoah is on the map above, with its own date.
- Peak Oct 29 best Oct 28 to 31
- Peak Nov 4 best Nov 3 to 6
- Peak Oct 16 best Oct 15 to 18
- Peak Nov 3 best Nov 2 to 5
- Peak Nov 2 best Nov 1 to 4
Fall color roads near Wolf Trap National Park for the Performing Arts
Nearest first. Distances are straight-line from the park, 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.