Move over, Vermont! You and your New England pals might consistently earn top awards for fall foliage destinations, but Virginia’s Blue Ridge and Appalachian ranges create equally spectacular autumn tapestries. What’s the magic potion? It lies in Virginia’s diverse forest composition, where scarlet oaks blaze crimson against golden hickories, sugar maples paint mountainsides in brilliant orange and red, and evergreen corridors create dramatic contrasts that make Virginia’s fall colors pop with incredible intensity across rolling mountain ridges. By train, on foot, by car, or on horseback, don’t miss Virginia’s most magical season.
By Train
The Virginia Scenic Railway offers seasonal excursions through the Shenandoah Valley, where passengers enjoy panoramic views from vintage railcars while learning about local history. This fall, a special collaboration brings the famed Norfolk & Western Class J No. 611 steam locomotive back into service for limited passenger excursions—three-hour steam-powered journeys that showcase the valley’s peak autumn colors.
By Car
Skyline Drive through Shenandoah National Park remains the crown jewel of Virginia’s fall foliage drives. This 105-mile scenic byway winds along the Blue Ridge Mountains at elevations reaching 3,500 feet, offering numerous overlooks and hiking trail access, while extending southward via the Blue Ridge Parkway for those seeking extended autumn adventures.
On Foot
Hiking trails throughout Shenandoah and George Washington National Forests offer immersive foliage experiences, from the challenging terrain and rewarding summit views of Old Rag Mountain to family-friendly trails like Crabtree Falls, where cascading waterfalls frame autumn colors.
On Horseback
Equestrian trails in Shenandoah National Park and private stables throughout the region provide unique perspectives on fall foliage, allowing riders to access remote areas inaccessible by car while experiencing the quiet rustle of fallen leaves at nature’s pace.
Cascade Falls Trail is a highly scenic, 4-mile round-trip that meanders along Little Stony Creek to a 66-foot waterfall within Jefferson National Forest. Hike is low to moderate difficulty. Photo by Evelyn Woods | VTC
Mikayla Woodzell rides Dude, one of Let’s Ride Horses’ steeds, through a scenic fall trail. Photo by Mikayla Woodzell | Let’s Ride Horses,
Norfolk & Western’s Class J No. 611 steam locomotive offers passengers a three-hour excursion this fall with Virginia Scenic Railway. Photo by Leslie W. Kipp
Liberty Mills Farm is home to a 25-acre corn maze, Virginia’s largest. The LOVEwork sign represents the state’s agricultural heritage and its growing agritourism industry. L is created out of straw bales; O is an enormous tire from a John Deere tractor; V represents field corn and corn mazes; and E changes with the seasons: pumpkins in the fall and plants and flowers in the spring and summer. Photo by Hannah Armstrong | VTC
Featured photo by Brad Deel | Virginia Tourism Corp. This article originally appeared in the October 2025 issue.
