State guide
When to catch Virginiathrough the year
The peaks we can name in Virginia each belong to a place, not the whole state. Mountain laurel at Shenandoah: June; Fall color at Shenandoah: around the 2nd or 3rd week of October.
When are you going?
Fall in Virginia
- USUAL PEAK · FALL FOLIAGEShenandoahAround the 2nd or 3rd week of OctoberVirginia
“around the 2nd or 3rd week of October” · National Park Service ↗
- More fall foliage:George Washington and JeffersonOccoquan Bay Refuge
Also good in fall
- Chincoteague RefugePeak waterfowl migration, including snow geese (usually November and December)
- George Washington and JeffersonFall color in the highlands
- Great Dismal Swamp RefugeSwamp autumn color
- Occoquan Bay RefugeWetland color along Wildlife Drive
- ShenandoahFall, busiest season
From each place's own sources; no peak claimed.
Winter in Virginia
- SEASON · WINTER WILDLIFEChincoteague RefugeNovember and DecemberVirginia
“November and December” · U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service ↗
Also good in winter
- Chincoteague RefugePeak waterfowl migration, including snow geese (usually November and December)
From each place's own sources; no peak claimed.
Next peak here after winter
“around the 2nd or 3rd week of October” · National Park Service ↗
Spring in Virginia
- SEASON · WILDFLOWERSGeorge Washington and JeffersonLate March into April, then April into MayVirginia
“late March into April, then April into May” · US Forest Service ↗
- SEASON · WILDFLOWERSShenandoahLate March to June, flower by flowerVirginia
“late March to June, flower by flower” · National Park Service ↗
Also good in spring
- Chincoteague RefugeMigrating shorebirds and songbirds arrive (April and May)
- George Washington and JeffersonSpring wildflower trails near Covington
- Great Dismal Swamp RefugeMigrating songbirds such as warblers arrive in greatest numbers, late April to mid-May
- Occoquan Bay RefugeSpring migration and mild weather
- ShenandoahAzaleas
From each place's own sources; no peak claimed.
Next peak here after spring
“around the 2nd or 3rd week of October” · National Park Service ↗
Summer in Virginia
Next peak here after summer
“around the 2nd or 3rd week of October” · National Park Service ↗
Places in Virginia
- Fall
- Winter
Places on this map, as a list
- Great Dismal Swamp RefugeUsually: late October
- Chincoteague RefugeLocal timing: November and December
Tidewater and the Eastern Shore
Southwest Virginia mountains
Northern Virginia
Blue Ridge and Shenandoah
Planning a Virginia trip
Towns to stay in
- Virginia Beach, VAGreat Dismal Swamp Refuge · 27 mi
- Richmond, VAOccoquan Bay Refuge · 76 mi
- Newport News, VAGreat Dismal Swamp Refuge · 33 mi
- Suffolk, VAGreat Dismal Swamp Refuge · 11 mi
- Roanoke, VABluestone · 59 mi
- Lynchburg, VAShenandoah · 88 mi
- Harrisonburg, VAShenandoah · 24 mi
- Leesburg, VAGambrill State Park · 25 mi
- Blacksburg, VABluestone · 39 mi
- Danville, VABluestone · 110 mi
Nearest place we follow, straight-line miles.
Fees, passes and reservations
- Shenandoah: passes ↗
Current park alerts (NPS)
- Shenandoah: Active Closures ↗
- Shenandoah: Parking at Boundary Access Areas ↗
Browse by season and event
- Winter wildlife · 1 place hereWinter wildlife, everywhere →
- Wildflowers · 2 places hereWildflowers, everywhere →
- Fall foliage · 4 places hereFall foliage in Virginia →Fall foliage, everywhere →
Questions people ask
Is there an entrance fee at Chincoteague Refuge?
Yes for cars: passes start at $10.00 for a daily pass. Walking or biking in is free.Source: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Chincoteague NWR: Visit Us ↗ (opens in a new tab)
What are the hours in late fall and winter at Chincoteague Refuge?
From November through mid-March, refuge roads, the beach and trails are open 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. daily. The Wildlife Loop opens to cars from 3:00 p.m. to dusk. The visitor center is open 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. but closes on Thanksgiving Day, December 24, 25, 26 and 31, and January 1.Source: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Chincoteague NWR: Visit Us ↗ (opens in a new tab)
When do the wildflowers bloom at George Washington and Jefferson?
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 at George Washington and Jefferson?
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)
Can I swim or fish at Beartree Lake at George Washington and Jefferson?
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)
When is fall color best at Great Dismal Swamp Refuge?
The Fish and Wildlife Service points to late October. The swamp's forests range from bald cypress to red maple and rare Atlantic white cedar.Sources: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, A fall foliage tour of the Northeast ↗ (opens in a new tab), U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Great Dismal Swamp National Wildlife Refuge ↗ (opens in a new tab)
Nearby state guides: District of Columbia · Maryland · West Virginia · Delaware
Virginia in pictures
How we know
- Sep 28Park ServiceMonth-by-month seasons of wildlife, including the November–December waterfowl peak and snow geese.Source (opens U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Chincoteague NWR: Species in a new tab)
- Sep 27Park ServiceSpring ephemerals late March into April, a second wave April into MaySource (opens US Forest Service, Celebrating Wildflowers: Back Creek Gorge Wildflower Trail (George Washington & Jefferson National Forests) in a new tab)
- Sep 27ReferenceFall color destinations by Forest Service region, with the colors each tree species turnsSource (opens US Forest Service, Fall Colors in a new tab)
- 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 27Park ServiceDisplay begins late March; azaleas in May, mountain laurel in June; 862 species; spring flowers along low streams, summer and fall at Big MeadowsSource (opens National Park Service, Shenandoah Wildflowers in a new tab)
- Sep 26Park ServiceFall color usually most brilliant around the 2nd or 3rd week of October, higher elevations first; azaleas late May–early June, mountain laurel in JuneSource (opens National Park Service, Shenandoah FAQ in a new tab)
- National Park Service sources: no claim to original U.S. Government works.