West Virginiafall foliage
Where is fall color peaking in West Virginia right now?
No official report has come in for fall foliage yet this season. Next to start: Ohio River Islands Refuge, usually from Oct 11.
Updated Sep 28.
Places in West Virginia
- Canaan Valley Refuge
Usually Sep 21–30
- Ohio River Islands Refuge
Usually Oct 11–20 · starts in 13 days
- Usual window (from each place's own source)
Places by state
West Virginia
- Babcock State ParkIn its usual window
Usually September and November
- Blackwater Falls State ParkIn its usual window
Usually September and November
- Cacapon Resort State ParkIn its usual window
Usually September and November
- Canaan ValleyIn its usual window
Usually September and November
- Canaan Valley RefugeIn its usual window
Usually Sep 21–30
- Cass Scenic RailroadIn its usual window
Usually September and November
- Coopers Rock State ForestIn its usual window
Usually September and November
- Hawks Nest State ParkIn its usual window
Usually September and November
- Ohio River Islands RefugeStarts in 13 days
Usually Oct 11–20
Official reports
- Sep 28Park ServiceUsual peak by refuge: early October at Aroostook, Nulhegan Basin and Missisquoi; mid-October at Moosehorn, Rachel Carson and Great Bay (marsh)Source (opens U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, A fall foliage tour of the Northeast in a new tab)
- Sep 28Park ServiceThe refuge sits at 3,200 feet in the Allegheny Mountains; visitor center hoursSource (opens U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Canaan Valley National Wildlife Refuge in a new tab)
- Sep 28Park ServiceRefuge trails: Cabin Mountain, Brown Mountain Overlook, Freeland Boardwalk, Middle ValleySource (opens U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Canaan Valley National Wildlife Refuge, Trails in a new tab)
Show all 5
- Sep 28Park ServiceWinter cross-country skiing on refuge trailsSource (opens U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Canaan Valley National Wildlife Refuge, Cross-country Skiing in a new tab)
- Sep 28Park ServiceMiddle Island auto tour and trails, visitor center trails, hoursSource (opens U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Ohio River Islands National Wildlife Refuge, Visit Us in a new tab)
Questions people ask
When is peak fall foliage in West Virginia in 2026?
It depends on the place. In a typical year: Canaan Valley Refuge, Sep 21–30 and Ohio River Islands Refuge, Oct 11–20. Each place page has its own dates.
Where can I see fall foliage in West Virginia?
We track 9 places: Canaan Valley Refuge (usually Sep 21–30), Ohio River Islands Refuge (usually Oct 11–20), Babcock State Park, Blackwater Falls State Park, Cacapon Resort State Park, Canaan Valley, Cass Scenic Railroad, Coopers Rock State Forest and Hawks Nest State Park.
How long does the fall foliage season last in West Virginia?
Across the places we track, from about Sep 21 (Canaan Valley Refuge) to Oct 20 (Ohio River Islands Refuge). Each place's own window is shorter.
Why does color come earlier in some places?
Higher ground turns first. In the Great Smoky Mountains, color can start as early as mid-September at the highest elevations, develops above 4,000 feet from early to mid-October, and reaches the lower and middle slopes between mid-October and early November.Source: National Park Service, Great Smoky Mountains fall color ↗ (opens in a new tab)
How do you track fall foliage?
Each place moves through 6 stages: Still green, First color, Moderate, High color, Peak and Past peak. Every stage we show comes from a dated report with its source, and every forecast lists its sources.