Fall is a beautiful time of year in Virginia as the leaves begin to change to brilliant shades of red, yellow, gold and orange! It’s awesome to experience nature at its finest during this season as the leaves on our oak, maple and dog wood trees burst into the colors of fall. While you can admire the beauty of this season right in your own neighborhood, it’s a great time to go out and explore some of the other areas around Northern Virginia that are known for gorgeous fall foliage. Below you will find some fun places to visit during peak bloom this fall season. You can also check out this Fall Foliage Map to get an idea when the leaves will be at their best.
Shenandoah National Park: If you’ve never been to this park and driven along Skyline Drive during the fall, then you should definitely go. It’s about 75 miles from Washington, DC and has hiking trails, waterfalls, wildlife and amazing views! If you just want to stay in your car and drive along Skyline Drive, there are many overlooks where you can pullover, park and take pictures or just admire the view. Visit the park’s website to plan your visit. During inclement weather, portions of Skyline Drive may be closed. There is a fee to enter the park, but Nov. 11 (Veteran’s Day) is a fee free day.
Burke Lake Park: Burke Lake is located at 7315 Ox Road, Fairfax Station, VA. You can view the scenery while walking the 4.7 mile trail around the lake or take in the sights from the fishing pier or a boat. They will be offering Fall Foliage Tour Boat Rides on Nov. 4th, Nov. 10th and Nov. 11th at 4:00pm. The tour includes a one-hour ride and a hot beverage. The cost is $8.00. Children younger than age 12 must be accompanied by a registered adult. For more information, call 703-323-6600. Visit their website to register.
Lake Accotink: Lake Accotink, a 493 acre lake front park, is located at 7500 Accotink Park Road, Springfield, VA. Walk or bike along the main trail for picturesque views of the lake and surrounding forest. A Fall Foliage Kayak Expedition is being offered on Nov. 3 at 9:00am for ages 13 and up. The expedition takes you to the northern part of the lake to see glorious natural tunnels of orange, yellow and red leaves. Previous kayak experience is necessary. The program runs from 9 to 11 a.m., and the cost is $31 per person. For more information, call 703-569-3464. Register on their website.
Great Falls National Park is located at 9200 Old Dominion Drive, McLean, VA 22102. This beautiful 800-acre park is a great place to visit any time of the year, but fall is especially nice when the leaves are at their peak. You can view the Falls at three different overlooks. All are within a five to ten minute walk from the Visitor Center. Access to the Falls is by walking only. Overlooks 2 and 3 are handicap and stroller accessible. For your safety, do not climb or go beyond the fences. Swimming and wading are not permitted anywhere within Great Falls Park. There are also fifteen miles of hiking trails to explore. Park fee is $10 when entering by car and $5 when entering by foot, bicycle, or equestrian.
Prince William Forest: Take I-95 South to exit 150-B (VA Route 619/Joplin Road). The park entrance is the second right. For GPS Use Only: the street address of the visitor center is 18170 Park Entrance Road, Triangle, VA 22172. Prince William Forest Park is 15,000 acres of secondary growth forest and is a popular place for camping, hiking, picnicking and bicycling. Park fee is $10 when entering by car or motorcycle, $7 when entering by foot or bicycle.
Government Island: 191 Coal Landing Road Stafford, VA 22554. Government Island, a historic 18th and 19th century quarry site provided Aquia sandstone for the construction of the U.S. Capitol and the White House and other historic buildings in Washington, D.C. and is on the National Register of Historic Places and the Virginia Landmarks Register. It is a 17-acre park and has a boardwalk ideal for observing aquatic and native plants, birds and other wildlife. Admission is free. Hours: Mid-March through October 31- Monday – Sunday, 8 am – 8 pm; November 1 through Mid-March – Monday – Sunday, 8 am – 5:30 pm.
Scott’s Run Nature Preserve: 7400 Georgetown Pike, McLean, VA 22102. Scott’s Run Nature Preserve is one of only a few nature preserves in the Fairfax County Park Authority system. There are two entrances into Scott’s Run off of Georgetown Pike. Both have small parking lots and trailheads that lead into the park. One entrance sits alongside the stream, and the other has trails leading to the bluffs above the Potomac River. There are informational signs at the park’s entrance and some directional signs at select locations along the trails.
Huntley Meadows Park: 3701 Lockheed Blvd, Alexandria, VA. The park is home to a nationally significant historic house, majestic forests, wildflower-speckled meadows and vast wetlands bursting with life. The heart and soul of Huntley Meadows is the park’s 1,500-acre wetland. There is a half-mile raised boardwalk that winds through the wetland and leads to an observation tower. Boardwalk visitors frequently see beavers, frogs, dragonflies, heron and deer. More than 200 species of birds have been identified in the park.
So these are just a few suggestions on places to visit during the fall season for views of the beautiful fall foliage around Northern Virginia. If you can’t make it out to one of these locations, just visit any park that is close to home and you won’t be disappointed. We have so many parks and trails to choose from! Visit our PARKS page for a list of locations.