When do the leaves change in West Virginia?
Almost entirely mountainous, West Virginia's sugar and red maples turn early, with the Highland Scenic Highway and Blackwater Falls State Park in the Allegheny highlands often peaking by late September into early October.
Peak: October 16–October 23
Color builds from October 5 · mostly bare by November 11
Method: daily ERA5 temperatures (Open-Meteo) drive a photoperiod + chilling phenology model; terrain shifts timing ~1 day earlier per 300 m of elevation. Temperature alone can’t tell a maritime autumn from a continental one — two places at the same latitude and the same September can peak weeks apart, because the trees differ — so each region is also calibrated against published peak dates. Estimates, not promises: typically within a few days, occasionally a week or more out. Check locally before you travel.
Known for
Things to do in fall in West Virginia
16 iconic stops — scenic drives, farms, haunts, and the views locals plan their October around.
New River Gorge National Park & Preserve
National parkPeak October 19
Redesignated a full national park in 2020, this 876-foot-deep gorge is spanned by one of the highest bridges in the Americas; the Canyon Rim Visitor Center overlook is the classic vantage for the bridge and the sea of ridge-line color that peaks around mid-October, before Bridge Day draws crowds each fall.
Don’t miss: 876-ft-deep gorge overlook · Iconic New River Gorge Bridge · Bridge Day festival in October
Blackwater Falls State Park
State parkPeak October 12
Tannic acid from hemlock and red spruce needles tints the Blackwater River amber as it drops 57 feet at this Tucker County park, where elevation near 3,000 feet brings some of West Virginia's earliest peak color, typically in early-to-mid October.
Don’t miss: 57-ft amber-colored falls · Elevated boardwalk viewpoints · Early, high-elevation peak color
Cass Scenic Railroad
Scenic railwayColor nearby peaks October 11
Restored Shay geared locomotives haul open-air cars up Back Allegheny Mountain from a preserved 1901 logging town, with fall excursions climbing to Bald Knob and Cheat Mountain for sweeping views. The state park's trains run under lease by the Durbin & Greenbrier Valley Railroad.
Don’t miss: Vintage Shay steam locomotives · Excursions to Bald Knob summit · Preserved 1901 company town
Seneca Rocks
ViewpointPeak October 12
A 900-foot Tuscarora quartzite fin rises sheer above the North Fork Valley in Monongahela National Forest, its South Peak accessible only by technical rock climbing while a switchbacking overlook trail gives hikers sweeping fall views for a fraction of the effort.
Don’t miss: 900-ft quartzite rock fin · Overlook trail to a viewing platform · Technical rock-climbing routes
Coopers Rock State Forest
ForestPeak October 19
A West Virginia state forest less than 15 miles east of Morgantown, famous for a sandstone overlook high above the Cheat River gorge that blazes with color each October. More than 50 miles of trails thread the boulder fields and cliffs, a draw for hikers and rock climbers alike.
Don’t miss: Sandstone overlook above the Cheat River gorge · 50+ miles of hiking trails · Boulder fields and climbing cliffs
Orr's Farm Market
OrchardColor nearby peaks October 25
A family orchard and market southwest of Martinsburg, farmed by the Orrs since George S. Orr Jr. bought the land in 1954. Autumn brings pick-your-own apples and a pumpkin patch, plus a barnyard open six days a week and weekend bluegrass-and-barbecue days running into October.
Don’t miss: Pick-your-own apples and pumpkin patch · Barnyard open six days a week · Orr family land since 1954
Mountain State Forest Festival
Fall festivalColor nearby peaks October 13
Elkins throws its biggest week of the year each fall: nine days of parades, a lumberjack contest, highland dancing, and a juried art show built around the theme Autumn in Color. It has run since the 1930s and still pulls more than 75,000 people into a town of about 7,000.
Don’t miss: Grand Feature Parade and lumberjack contest · Highland dance competition and juried art show · Nine days across downtown Elkins
Mothman Festival
Fall festivalColor nearby peaks October 28
Point Pleasant spends one weekend a year fully committed to its own cryptid legend, with Main Street closed for vendor booths, live bands, cosplay, and bus tours out to the old TNT area where the 1966 sightings began. The Mothman Museum anchors it all and stays open the rest of the year too.
Don’t miss: Main Street vendor booths and live bands · TNT-area bus tours and cosplay contest · Mothman Museum open year-round
Guides
Frequently asked
- When do leaves peak in West Virginia in 2026?
- Peak color is predicted for October 16–October 23 (best estimate October 20). Color starts around October 5 and trees are mostly bare by November 11.
- How reliable is the West Virginia forecast?
- The forecast blends recent-year weather normals with photoperiod and elevation; it tightens as the season approaches. Against published peak dates the model lands within a few days for most regions, but it can be a week or more out — mountains and coastlines are the hardest. Higher elevations turn roughly one day earlier per 300 m.
- When is West Virginia's autumn season?
- West Virginia colors during autumn (September–November). Almost entirely mountainous, West Virginia's sugar and red maples turn early, with the Highland Scenic Highway and Blackwater Falls State Park in the Allegheny highlands often peaking by late September into early October.
- What are the best things to do in fall in West Virginia?
- The iconic stops: New River Gorge National Park & Preserve, Blackwater Falls State Park, Cass Scenic Railroad, Seneca Rocks, Coopers Rock State Forest, Orr's Farm Market. Every one is mapped on this page with its peak-color timing.
- What are the best things to do in autumn in West Virginia?
- Autumn — autumn (September–November) — is peak season here. Pair the color with New River Gorge National Park & Preserve, Blackwater Falls State Park, Cass Scenic Railroad, Seneca Rocks, Coopers Rock State Forest; each is on the map above with the window to catch it.
Nearby & similar
Season by season
2026 (forecast)
Peak October 16–October 23
October 5 → November 11