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Updated Sep 28
Pictured: Patuxent Research Refuge · typical peak look

Fall foliage near Washingtonday trips within 250 miles

Where can I see fall foliage near Washington?

We track 36 fall foliage places within 250 straight-line miles of Washington, in Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia, Pennsylvania, New York and Connecticut. The nearest is Patuxent Research Refuge, about 15 miles away (usually Oct 21–31).

Weir Farm usually starts first (Sep 15–Oct 25) and Blackwater Refuge ends last (Oct 1–Dec 31).

Updated Sep 28. Sources: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, A fall foliage tour of the Northeast ↗ (opens in a new tab), National Park Service, Weir Farm park data ↗ (opens in a new tab), U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Blackwater NWR seasons of wildlife ↗ (opens in a new tab)

Pick your week

Pick a week: the places usually in their window then light up. Each place's own usual window, or its region's or state's timing where it has none (labeled); not a forecast.

Week of Sep 22

  • Usually peaking this week
  • Other weeks

Usually in peak the week of Sep 22

By distance from Washington

Straight-line miles; roads are longer
  1. 15 miPatuxent Research RefugeUsually Oct 21–31
  2. 23 miOccoquan Bay RefugeLocal timing: Oct 21–31
  3. 46 miGambrill State Park, MarylandStatewide: usually well under way by late October
  4. 54 miCatoctin MountainStatewide: usually well under way by late October
  5. 55 miAntietamStatewide: usually well under way by late October
  6. 55 miGreenbrier State Park, MarylandStatewide: usually well under way by late October
  7. 58 miBlackwater RefugeLocal timing: Oct 1–Dec 31
  8. 73 miFort Frederick State ParkStatewide: usually well under way by late October
  9. 81 miShenandoahUsually Oct 8–21
  10. 126 miCanaan Valley RefugeUsually Sep 21–30
  11. 140 miLaurel Hill State Park, PennsylvaniaStatewide: usually well under way by late October
  12. 142 miLaurel Highlands, PennsylvaniaStatewide: usually well under way by late October
  13. 148 miBlack Moshannon State Park, PennsylvaniaStatewide: usually well under way by late October
  14. 148 miOhiopyle State Park, PennsylvaniaStatewide: usually well under way by late October
  15. 150 miBald Eagle State Park, PennsylvaniaStatewide: usually well under way by late October
  16. 162 miGreat Dismal Swamp RefugeLocal timing: Oct 21–31
  17. 170 miHyner View State Park, PennsylvaniaStatewide: usually well under way by late October
  18. 171 miLittle Pine State Park, PennsylvaniaStatewide: usually well under way by late October
  19. 174 miDelaware Water GapLocal timing: Oct 1–31
  20. 175 miCherry Valley RefugeUsually Oct 21–31
  21. 182 miSinnemahoning State Park, PennsylvaniaStatewide: usually well under way by late October
  22. 194 miPine Creek Gorge, PennsylvaniaStatewide: usually well under way by late October
  23. 204 miCook Forest State Park, PennsylvaniaStatewide: usually well under way by late October
  24. 207 miNew York CityStatewide: usually well under way by mid-October
  25. 214 miKinzua Bridge State Park, PennsylvaniaStatewide: usually well under way by late October
  26. 227 miOhio River Islands RefugeUsually Oct 11–20
  27. 227 miUpper Delaware (New York side)Local timing: Oct 1–31
  28. 230 miBear Mountain and West Point, New YorkStatewide: usually well under way by mid-October
  29. 231 miNew River GorgeAt one spot: Oct 1–31
  30. 232 miAllegheny National Forest, PennsylvaniaAt one spot: Oct 8–14
  31. 233 miBluestoneUsually Oct 11–20
  32. 241 miAllegany State Park, New YorkStatewide: usually well under way by mid-October
  33. 245 miErie RefugeUsually Oct 11–20
  34. 246 miIthaca, New YorkStatewide: usually well under way by mid-October
  35. 249 miFinger Lakes National Forest, New YorkStatewide: usually well under way by mid-October
  36. 249 miWeir FarmLocal timing: Sep 15–Oct 25

See two in one trip

Nearby places whose usual fall color windows overlap

Questions people ask

What's the closest fall foliage to Washington?

Patuxent Research Refuge, about 15 straight-line miles away. Usually Oct 21–31.Source: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, A fall foliage tour of the Northeast ↗ (opens in a new tab)

When is the best week for fall foliage near Washington?

Usually the week of Oct 20: 34 of the 36 places with timing are in their usual window then (Patuxent Research Refuge, Occoquan Bay Refuge, Gambrill State Park, Maryland and Catoctin Mountain and more). A season can run early or late.Sources: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, A fall foliage tour of the Northeast ↗ (opens in a new tab), USA National Phenology Network, colored leaves observations ↗ (opens in a new tab), U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Blackwater NWR seasons of wildlife ↗ (opens in a new tab), National Park Service, Shenandoah FAQ ↗ (opens in a new tab), National Park Service, Delaware Water Gap biking ↗ (opens in a new tab), National Park Service, Upper Delaware weather ↗ (opens in a new tab), National Park Service, New River Gorge: finding your way around the park ↗ (opens in a new tab), National Park Service, Bluestone park data ↗ (opens in a new tab), National Park Service, Weir Farm park data ↗ (opens in a new tab)

Where does the fall color season start first near Washington?

Weir Farm (249 miles): local timing: Sep 15–Oct 25.Source: National Park Service, Weir Farm park data ↗ (opens in a new tab)

How far are these places from Washington?

From 15 to 249 straight-line miles; roads are longer. 9 are within 100 miles.