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Virginia

When to catch George Washington and Jeffersonat its best

George Washington and Jefferson through the year: wildflowers (local timing: late March into April, then April into May) and fall foliage (at one spot: mid- to late October). Each has its own page with spots, sources and the latest reports.

RIGHT NOW · SEP 30

  • Latest reportNo dated report this season; the posters below show each usual window.
  • This weekend (NWS)Sat showers and thunderstorms, 68°F · Sun showers and thunderstorms likely, 63°F
  • Park alertsCheck the managing agency before you go

When are you going?

Fall at George Washington and Jefferson

Where to go at George Washington and Jefferson

Spots, visitor points and places nearby
  • Fall
Places on this map, as a list
Map: approximate positions; state lines US Census.

Best spots

Where each event's source says to go

Wildflowers

  • Back Creek Gorge Trail (Blowing Springs)Easy, level old railroad bed along Back Creek; trilliums, trout lily and toothwort in early springUS Forest Service ↗
  • Roaring Run Wildflower TrailFrom a historic iron furnace to Roaring Run Falls; pink lady's slippers and showy orchis in springUS Forest Service ↗

Fall foliage

Next 7 days at George Washington and Jefferson

Forecast: National Weather Service
  • TodaySunny74° / 56°–
  • ThuSunny76° / 58°–
  • FriMostly Sunny then Chance Rain Showers75° / 61°67% rain
  • SatShowers And Thunderstorms68° / 55°85% rain
  • SunShowers And Thunderstorms Likely63° / 50°74% rain
  • MonChance Rain Showers then Mostly Sunny62° / 39°26% rain
  • TueSunny61° / 39°1% rain

Today: sunrise 7:22 a.m., sunset 7:13 p.m., light until 7:39 p.m. · moon waning gibbous, 78% lit (our calculation)

Visitor reports, not verified

Been here in the last week? Tell us how the trees looked.

What color were the trees?

Tap the one that looks most like what you saw.

One report per place for each day you saw it, no name or email · How reports work · Terms · Privacy

Nearby, and when they peak

Straight-line miles; roads are longer

Towns nearby

Straight-line miles; each town page has frost dates and its nature year

George Washington and Jefferson in pictures

Illustrative photos, not current conditions
Pale sandstone rocks in the foreground above green forested ridges and valleys
View from Big Schloss in the Lee Ranger District, May 29, 2011. Photo: US Forest Service - Southern Region · public domain · resized

Questions people ask

When do the wildflowers bloom?

On Back Creek Gorge Trail, spring ephemerals start in late March and run into April; columbine, wild geranium, phlox and violets follow from April into May. Spring has the biggest show, but something blooms through summer and fall.Source: US Forest Service, Celebrating Wildflowers: Back Creek Gorge Wildflower Trail (George Washington & Jefferson National Forests) ↗ (opens in a new tab)

How hard are the trails?

Both are easy: Back Creek Gorge follows a level old railroad bed, and Roaring Run is well marked, with footbridges and one steep set of stairs with handrails.Sources: US Forest Service, Celebrating Wildflowers: Back Creek Gorge Wildflower Trail (George Washington & Jefferson National Forests) ↗ (opens in a new tab), US Forest Service, Celebrating Wildflowers: Roaring Run Wildflower Trail (George Washington & Jefferson National Forests) ↗ (opens in a new tab)

Where are they?

Both are near Covington, Virginia: Back Creek Gorge at the back of Blowing Springs Campground, Roaring Run off Roaring Run Road (SR 621).Sources: US Forest Service, Celebrating Wildflowers: Back Creek Gorge Wildflower Trail (George Washington & Jefferson National Forests) ↗ (opens in a new tab), US Forest Service, Celebrating Wildflowers: Roaring Run Wildflower Trail (George Washington & Jefferson National Forests) ↗ (opens in a new tab)

Can I swim or fish at Beartree Lake?

Not for now: the lake has been drained to clear its bed, and fishing, swimming and paddling wait until it refills.Source: US Forest Service, Beartree Recreation Area ↗ (opens in a new tab)

How we know

Every timing above, from these pages; checked Sep 27