Fall Foliage Report for Northern Virginia State Parks
Oct. 29, 2026
Fall color is expanding across the Northern Region, with many parks nearing peak conditions. At Lake Anna, bright reds, yellows and browns are beginning to emerge along trails and roadways. Seven Bends experienced a dramatic shift this week, with golden yellows, oranges and browns accented by scattered reds. Shenandoah River is approaching peak color, showcasing a vibrant mix of reds, oranges, yellows and lingering greens. Sky Meadows is estimated at 50-60% color change, with cooler temperatures accelerating the transition across the landscape. Sweet Run continues progressing toward peak, with yellowing black walnuts, golden silver maples, red maples, colorful oaks and hickories brightening woodlands and ridge views. Overall, foliage conditions continue improving across the region, offering increasingly vibrant autumn scenery.
Get outside and share your fall photos on social media using the hashtags #VaStateParks and #FallinVirginia to participate in the online conversation.
At Lake Anna State Park, the trees are progressing to their fall colors. Several clusters of trees are showing beautiful reds, golds and yellows.
Best place to view:
Ware’s Cove Picnic Area and driving down the main park road shows beautiful fall foliage. Fall colors are appearing throughout the park now.
Why visit this week:
Come explore our trails! Turkey, deer, songbirds and foxes have been sighted along the main park road and on trails. The weather has been cool and pleasant, making it ideal to go fishing or try out one of our many trails.
At Lake Anna State Park, fall colors are beginning to appear, with some trees already showing bright reds, yellows and browns. Cool mornings and afternoons are warming into the low-to-mid 70s, creating perfect conditions to explore the park’s many trails.
Best place to view:
The best views are along the park’s main road and on the benches along Old Pond Trail, where fully transitioned trees mix with those just starting to change.
Why visit this week:
There have been lots of deer sightings around Lake Anna State Park. With such wonderful fall weather, it’s a great week to explore one of our many trails!
The trees are beginning to change noticeably. Reds, yellows and oranges appear in small to medium patches across many trees around the park.
Best place to view:
The main park road and cabin loop road offer lots of beautiful fall foliage to drive by. The benches on Old Pond Trail are another great place to observe the fall colors.
Why visit this week:
We've had lots of songbird and wildlife activity at the park this week! Deer, skinks, songbirds and birds of prey, including bald eagles and great blue herons, have been sighted. Take a walk on Railroad Ford or one of our other wonderful trails and see what wildlife you might encounter!
The tips of many trees are beginning to change more noticeably compared to last week. Hints of reds, yellows and browns are increasing among the mostly green leaves.
Best place to view:
There are great views of the trees looking out over the swim beach and leading up to Railroad Ford Trail.
Why visit this week:
Julia, our eastern kingsnake, recently got a new tank upgrade! She has been enjoying exploring and digging tunnels in her larger new home.
Fall is in the air, and the owls of Lake Anna State Park have made their presence known in the evening. On Oct. 11 from 6-8 p.m., visitors can join a Ranger for a guided wander in the woods at Owl Prowl: Park After Dark by calling the Park Office at 540-854-5503. In this evening program, we will learn more about the owls of Lake Anna State Park, call out to them, and see “whooo” hoots back!
From far away, the trees at Lake Anna State Park still look like summer. But if you walk the trails or stand by the water, you’ll notice that fall is starting to show. Some red maples already have small clusters of red leaves, giving a hint of what’s ahead.
Best place to view:
You get great views of the trees from the swim beach, looking out toward Railroad Ford Trail.
Why visit this week:
The Lake Anna State Park Visitor Center offers hands-on, interactive exhibits to discover and connect with nature. Meet our animal ambassadors, get your park questions answered and try a self-guided or ranger-led program during your visit to Lake Anna State Park. On Sunday, Oct. 4, join us for our Reptiles Alive! Program from 2 – 3 p.m.
Fall colors are becoming more noticeable throughout Leesylvania State Park, especially along Bushey Point Trail. Yellow, orange and red are starting to brighten the forest edges and riverfront areas, giving a preview of the colors still to come. Visitors walking the trail will see these new hues among the trees, adding to the autumn feel.
Best place to view:
Bushey Point Trail
Why visit this week:
Enjoy the Potomac River's cool autumn breeze with your friends and family at Leesylvania State Park's Annual Fall Festival on Oct. 24 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.! Celebrate the season with hayrides, crafts, trunk or treat, vendors and more. We hope to see you there!
More leaves are changing, and every day the fall colors get brighter. When you enter the park, you'll see red, gold and orange along the roads and trails, making the whole place feel warm and welcoming.
Best place to view:
Bushey Point Trail, boat ramps, picnic area and the entrance to the park.
Why visit this week:
The Visitor Center will have a grand reopening on Oct. 16 with a ribbon-cutting and light refreshments from 1 to 2 p.m.
Enjoy the cool autumn breeze by the Potomac River with friends and family at Leesylvania State Park's Annual Fall Festival on Oct. 24. Celebrate with hayrides, crafts, trunk-or-treat, vendors and more. We hope to see you there!
Trees are really starting to pop at Leesylvania State Park this week. Bushey Point Trail, especially, has some great spots to take in the changing colors.
It officially feels like summer has left Leesylvania State Park and fall is slowly coming in! The leaves on certain trees around the park are starting to turn orange. Not every tree has started to turn, but you can see some beginning to on Bushey Point Trail and near the visitor center.
The trees have finally undergone a fairly dramatic color change this past week, and you can notice differences by the day. Most of the color changes have resulted in oranges, browns and yellows, but if you look closely, you can see individual reds within the golden blanket that resembles a sunrise.
Best place to view:
Our most popular trail is Gokotta Trail. This 1.2-mile compacted stone trail parallels the North Fork of the Shenandoah River and offers contrasting views of the mountains and river.
Why visit this week:
Photoshoots and weddings are popular this time of year, and the combination of pleasant weather and beautiful scenery make for unforgettable memories. Please get in touch with the park office before these activities to learn about any required permits or park rules.
Green leaves continue to fade into muted green, yellow and browns. We are starting to see some oranges mixed in and just a few reds hidden throughout. We should see dramatic changes this week as temperatures stay consistently lower.
Best place to view:
Hike to one of several scenic viewpoints that are nestled on the side of the park’s mountains. From there, you can view lower-elevation color change along the river and get a peek at the progression of color change in the western mountains across the valley.
Why visit this week:
If you enjoy wade fishing, air and water temperatures will hold out for another week. Come enjoy a few casts while temperatures are still in the 60s and you can see the yellow leaves on the sycamore trees lining the river’s edge.
Fall colors are really starting to pop throughout the park this week. Some select trees are very showy while others are slowly changing, creating a lovely color palette. The color change may be a little delayed this year, but we're still enjoying the beauty and surprise of this transition.
Best place to view:
Intersection of River Bend Rise and Lupton Road.
Why visit this week:
This week’s weather is perfect for exploring the park on your own, especially for hiking and birdwatching. Download our guides and activity sheets before you visit, and enjoy everything Seven Bends has to offer.
This week, bright reds are emerging among the maples, while the others are still clinging to their green foliage. Slowly but surely, the park is transitioning to fall. The nights are cooling down as the season progresses, and fog clings to the river in the mornings. We expect to see a more dramatic change in the coming weeks.
Best place to view:
Catch the views from the top of Wanderers Way Trail: a perfect vantage point for spotting early bursts of color spreading across the valley.
Why visit this week:
With sunny skies and temperatures in the mid-70s, it’s the perfect week to explore one of our eleven hiking trails and maybe catch the early fall colors beginning to show.
We are just starting to get a sneak peek from the trees into what we might expect for the fall season. Green leaves are starting to fade, and you might even see a slight red, orange, or yellow mixed in with the vast mountainside of greens. We’re looking forward to seeing an even bigger change in the next couple weeks!
Best place to view:
Have a picnic with a unique fall view while the park’s cornfields are in their final stages before harvesting. Nearby the picnic areas, our pollinator habitat areas are currently a sea of yellow with goldenrod, ragweed and wingstem flowers still in bloom
Why visit this week:
Kayak rentals are still currently available, but not for long as temperatures begin to drop. Get in one last float down the river while you still can!
More trees are shifting into their signature fall colors, creating a blend of reds, yellows, oranges, and greens throughout the park. With the foliage nearing its peak, leaf watchers are already coming to enjoy the seasonal views.
Best place to view:
Cullers Overlook offers park guests the best view of the changing colors. It offers an open viewing point overlooking the Massanutten Mountain range and the Shenandoah River.
Why visit this week:
Celebrate Halloween at the park during our Ghosts of Virginia state parks campfire program this Saturday night, Oct. 31. We'll share eerie legends from Virginia state parks and roast s'mores!
More trees are starting to show their classic fall colors. The park now has a mix of red, yellow, orange and green. Some guests and Junior Rangers have even made leaf piles to play in during their visit!
Best place to view:
Cullers Overlook offers the best view of the changing colors. It offers an open viewpoint overlooking the Massanutten Mountain range and the Shenandoah River.
Why visit this week:
On Oct. 24, the park is hosting a photography workshop from 9-11 a.m., where you can learn how to use any type of camera. All skill levels are welcome to join the program!
We are also offering a forest therapy walk at the same time as part of our Women’s Wellness series. This women’s-only program offers a safe space to reconnect with nature and enjoy meaningful moments of movement, reflection and community.
More trees are starting to show their classic fall colors. The park now has a mix of red, yellow, orange and green. Some guests and Junior Rangers have even made leaf piles to play in during their visit!
Best place to view:
Cullers Overlook offers the best view of the changing colors. It offers an open viewpoint overlooking the Massanutten Mountain range and the Shenandoah River.
Why visit this week:
On Oct. 24, the park is hosting a photography workshop from 9-11 a.m., where you can learn how to use any type of camera. All skill levels are welcome to join the program!
We are also offering a forest therapy walk at the same time as part of our Women’s Wellness series. This women’s-only program offers a safe space to reconnect with nature and enjoy meaningful moments of movement, reflection and community.
Some of our trees throughout the park have started to change into fall colors. Some trees have a nice yellow-and-orange mix, and others have started turning to darker reds. Most trees are still holding onto their summer greens, or the leaves are turning brown on the trees.
Best place to view:
Cullers Overlook gives park guests the best viewing experience of the changing colors. It offers an open viewing point looking out at the Massanutten Mountain range and the Shenandoah River.
Why visit this week:
Our fall wagon rides are continuing this weekend. Enjoy hot cider as we ride through the park, take in the fall colors and learn about trees! Registration is still required.
Some trees throughout the park have started to change into fall colors. with a few canopies have taken on a nice yellow-and-orange mix, while others have started to turn darker red. Most trees are still holding onto their summer greens, though we expect that to change soon.
Best place to view:
Cullers Overlook gives park guests the best view of the changing colors. It offers an open viewing point overlooking the Massanutten Mountain range and the Shenandoah River.
Why visit this week:
Our fall wagon rides are continuing this weekend. Enjoy hot cider as we ride through the park, take in the fall colors, and learn about trees! Registration is still required.
Not many changes occurred this week, but the trees that have started to change color have grown more yellow, and hints of orange are spreading across the park. Looking out over the Shenandoah River, you can see that some trees have turned a vibrant yellow.
Best place to view:
Cullers Overlook gives park guests the best viewing experience of the changing colors. It offers an open viewing point looking out at the Massanutten Mountain range and the Shenandoah River.
Why visit this week:
Our Fall Foliage Wagon Rides start this Saturday, Oct. 3. You can register online to save your seat on the wagon!
Some of the trees have started to change to a yellowish hue, but most of the trees in the park are still holding onto their summer green. The surest sign that fall is here can be seen from Cullers Overlook, where some trees along the river have started to reveal splashes of their autumn colors. More will surely follow their lead in the coming weeks as cooler temperatures settle in.
Best place to view:
Cullers Overlook gives park guests the best viewing experience of the changing colors. It offers an open view of the Massanutten Mountain range and the Shenandoah River.
Why visit this week:
Join us for our Harvest Moon Night Hike this Saturday, Sept. 26, from 7:30 - 9 p.m.. While we stroll the trail and take in the crisp night air, we’ll learn all about the harvest moon, what it represents and the folklore surrounding this beautiful natural phenomenon.
Sky Meadows had another spectacular Autumn weekend for the 2nd U.S. / 9th Union Cavalry Living History Demonstration. This was a perfect autumn weekend: cool temps, clear skies and bright sunshine. Because of the recent cooler temps, the autumn color transformation accelerated this week. Oak trees are turning faster than the maples. The 350-year-old pecan tree (located in the historic area) is starting to change color, but not as much as the other trees. The best estimate of current color transition is now between 50% and 60%. We anticipate peak autumn colors in late October to early November.
Best place to view:
Higher elevations with panoramic views are always the best places to view autumn foliage.
Sky Meadows has several of these locations:
Piedmont Overview Trail — a 0.6-mile hike up that provides around 900 feet of elevation gain and a 270-degree view of Crooked Run Valley; unforgettable views of the Blue Ridge Mountains and Lost Mountain are guaranteed.
Piedmont Environmental Council Overlook — a panoramic view of Paris (Virginia) and the Blue Ridge Mountains. Follow the Ambassador Whitehouse Trail to this location.
South Ridge Overlook — a panoramic view of Crooked Run Valley; follow the South Ridge Trail and take the spur to the overlook.
Lost Mountain Bridle Overlook — a panoramic view of the Sky Meadows Historic Area and the Blue Ridge Mountains that surround the park. Follow the Rolling Meadows Trail on the Lost Mountain side of the park.
Why visit this week:
The following events are planned for Sky Meadows this coming week:
Critter Chow, Oct. 30, 2 - 3 p.m. – meet and feed our animal ambassadors (Reptiles) in the visitor center
Come Fly with Me , Oct. 31, 6 - 8 p.m. - Join the Northern Virginia Association of Rocketry (NOVAAR) Club as their model rockets go up, up, and away. Discover the science, engineering, design, and mathematics that let these models (and larger rocket ships) reach our skies. Explore this STEAM hobby and chat with knowledgeable professionals as they discuss and display a variety of rockets.
Barnyard Buddies, Oct. 31, 1 - 2 p.m. – learn how to care and feed our heritage breed chickens, goats and Holstein calves.
Sky Meadows enjoyed another great autumn weekend during the Fall Foliage Festival. The weekend began with some wind, sunshine and cool temperatures, but the wind didn’t affect the leaves much. Most leaves stayed on the trees and have reached peak color. Red oaks and black gums in the historic area show the most color, with oaks turning tan and black gums turning deep red. Right now, about 30% to 40% of the trees have changed color. We expect peak colors in late October or early November.
Best place to view:
Higher elevations with panoramic views are always the best places to view autumn foliage.
Sky Meadows has several of these locations:
Piedmont Overview Trail — a 0.6-mile hike up that provides around 900 feet of elevation gain and a 270-degree view of Crooked Run Valley; unforgettable views of the Blue Ridge Mountains and Lost Mountain are guaranteed.
Piedmont Environmental Council Overlook — a panoramic view of Paris (Virginia) and the Blue Ridge Mountains. Follow the Ambassador Whitehouse Trail to this location.
South Ridge Overlook — a panoramic view of Crooked Run Valley; follow the South Ridge Trail and take the spur to the overlook.
Lost Mountain Bridle Overlook — a panoramic view of the Sky Meadows Historic Area and the Blue Ridge Mountains that surround the park. Follow the Rolling Meadows Trail on the Lost Mountain side of the park.
Why visit this week:
Critter Chow, Oct. 23, 2 - 3 p.m. – meet and feed our animal ambassadors (Reptiles) in the visitor center
Twilight Hike, Oct. 23, 6 - 8 p.m. - Explore an enchanting evening amidst the rolling Blue Ridge Mountains as the sun sets and the world transitions from day to night! Experience the magic of twilight as the landscape transforms under the fading light and wildlife becomes more active during this mystical time of day. The hike starts in the sunlight and ends under moonlight.
Barnyard Buddies, Oct. 24, 1 - 2 p.m. – learn how to care and feed our heritage breed chickens, goats and Holstein calves.
Sensory Explorers’ Trail Series: Fall Habitat Detectives, Oct. 24, 10 - 11 a.m. - take a fall walk of exploration with two Virginia Master Naturalists in this third of a series of seasonal walks planned for children. Use four of your senses to find clues to how various organisms – plants, animals and more – work together to survive in this forest community.
2nd U.S./9th Union Cavalry Living History Demonstration, Oct. 24-25, 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. - Visitors will have the chance to view and experience a Union cavalry camp, complete with wedge tents, a working picket line, historic replica equipment and live horses. Explore the camp and chat with living history interpreters before heading out to the demonstration field for a narrated cavalry training exhibition featuring horseback maneuvers, black-powder pistol firing and an up-close meet-and-greet with the horses afterward. This program offers an exciting, sensory-rich look at how Civil War cavalry trained, lived, and prepared for battle, set in Sky Meadows' rolling landscape.
Sky Meadows experienced awesome fall weather this week: cool temps, low humidity and bright sunshine. Because of the Gulf hurricane in the southeast, higher-than-normal winds have caused leaves to fall before the full color transition. Sky Meadows has several microclimate areas with cooler temperature ranges. Trees in the lower areas (stream-cut areas, such as Hadow Trail) are changing faster than most of the park. The sycamore trees in these areas are turning a beautiful golden color (about 50%). White oak (golden) and black tupelo (deep red) are also changing (about 30% transition). Trees in the backcountry (along the ridgeline) are showing signs of color change, but it's not very significant. The best estimate of current color transition remains between 10-15%. We anticipate peak autumn colors by late October to early November.
Best place to view:
Higher elevations with panoramic views are always the best places to view autumn foliage.
Sky Meadows has several of these locations:
Piedmont Overview Trail — a .6 mile hike up that provides a 270-degree view of Crooked Run Valley.
Piedmont Environmental Council Overlook — a panoramic view of Paris (Virginia) and the Blue Ridge Mountains. Follow the Ambassador Whitehouse Trail to this location.
South Ridge Overlook — a panoramic view of Crooked Run Valley; . Follow the South Ridge Trail and take the spur to the overlook.
Lost Mountain Bridle Overlook — a panoramic view of the Sky Meadows Historic Area and the Blue Ridge Mountains that surround the park. Follow the Rolling Meadows Trail on the Lost Mountain side of the park.
Why visit this week:
Critter Chow, Oct. 16, 2 - 3 p.m. – meet and feed our animal ambassadors (Reptiles) in the Visitor Center
Barnyard Buddies, Oct. 17, 1 - 2 p.m. – learn how to care and feed our heritage breed chickens, goats, Holstein and Angus calves
Fall Foliage Festival, Oct. 17-18, 11 a.m. - 4 p.m. Experience the magic of autumn at Sky Meadows State Park. Nestled along the eastern slope of the Blue Ridge Mountains, Sky Meadows offers the perfect backdrop for celebrating the stunning colors of the season. Enjoy breathtaking views of the changing leaves, wagon rides, and scenic hikes through vibrant forests. The festival features seasonal activities, community partners, live music and delicious fall treats.
As expected, the impacts of last week’s nor’easter storm are showing this week. We’ve noticed an acceleration of color transition throughout the park. The best estimate of color transition is 10-15%. Sky Meadows has several microclimate areas with slightly different temperature ranges. The colder areas (lower elevations) are showing more color change. The overall view of the Blue Ridge Mountain ridge shows a slight transition, not very dramatic at this time. The maples are starting to show their autumn colors. We anticipate peak autumn colors in late October to early November.
Best place to view:
Higher elevations with panoramic views are always the best places to view autumn foliage.
Why visit this week:
Critter Chow, Oct. 9, 2 - 3 p.m. – meet and feed our animal ambassadors (Reptiles) in the Visitor Center
Barnyard Buddies, Oct. 10, 1 - 2 p.m. – learn how to care and feed our heritage breed chickens, goats, Holstein and Angus calves
Astronomy for Everyone program, Oct. 10, 6:30 - 9:30 p.m. – Sky Meadows is a certified dark sky park. The astronomy program occurs during the new moon. The astronomy program includes junior astronomer activities, discussion of current astronomy news, and viewing the universe through high-power telescopes. The sky lights up with the Milky Way during this program (clouds permitting).
Sky Meadows remains in the early autumn color transition stage. The weather has significantly changed since last week due to a powerful early-season nor'easter storm bringing heavy rain, strong winds and significant temperature drops. These weather changes will accelerate the autumn color transformation. Fortunately, the deciduous tree leaves can withstand the high winds and not fall prematurely. The oak and hickory tree leaves have the greatest progression of color transition, showing signs of autumn colors on the lobe edges. The maples remain very green. We anticipate peak autumn colors by late October to early November timeframe.
Best place to view:
Visit the Upper Piedmont Overlook to enjoy views of rolling farmland stretching out like a rumpled patchwork quilt with the first colors of fall.
Why visit this week:
Critter Chow – Oct. 2. 2-3 p.m. Meet and feed our animal ambassadors (reptiles) in the visitor center
Barnyard Buddies – Oct. 3. 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Learn how to care and feed our heritage breed chickens and goats.
Fall Farm Day – Oct. 3. 11 a.m.-3 p.m. This annual event provides a unique opportunity to explore how Sky Meadows developed from a historic farm to a modern-day one over nearly 200 years. Enjoy historical tours, hay wagon rides, live antique machinery and tool demonstrations, sweet treats and our blacksmiths in action.
Our deciduous trees are starting to show slight autumn color changes, with some yellows in the oaks and hickories, but the maples remain green. Fortunately, we had a wetter than average August and September, and this additional moisture will add to the beauty of our autumn colors. The walnut, chestnut, pecan, oak and hickory trees are dropping their nuts andacorns as they get ready for the winter. Cooler temps and rain are forecasted for the upcoming weeks which will accelerate the start of the park’s color transformation.
Best place to view:
The higher elevations with panoramic views are always the best places to view the autumn foliage.
We have several of these locations:
Piedmont Overview Trail – a .6-mile hike up that provides a 270-degree view of Crooked Run Valley
Piedmont Environmental Council Overlook – a panoramic view of Paris (Virginia) and the Blue Ridge Mountains. Follow the Ambassador Whitehouse Trail to this location
South Ridge Overlook - a panoramic view of Crooked Run Valley. Follow the South Ridge Trail and take the spur to the overlook
Lost Mountain Bridle Overlook – a panoramic view of the Sky Meadows Historic Area and the Blue Ridge Mountains that surround the park. Follow the Rolling Meadows Trail on the Lost Mountain side of the park.
Why visit this week:
The following events are planned at Sky Meadows this week:
Critter Chow – Sept. 25, 2 – 3 p.m. - Meet and feed our animal ambassadors (Reptiles) in the visitor center.
Twilight Hike – Sept. 25, 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. - The park’s most popular hike; we start the hike in daylight and finish it in moonlight. Meet at the Lost Mountain parking lot.
Barnyard Buddies – Sept. 26, 1 – 2 p.m. - Learn how to care for and feed our heritage breed chickens and goats.
Sustainable Trail Design and Maintenance Workday – Sept. 26, 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. - Sky Meadows will have an introduction to trail development and maintenance as part of the National Public Lands Day.
B.A.R.K. in the Park – Sept. 26, 4 – 6 p.m. Celebrate our furry friends through adoption, furry portraits, and learning about BARK etiquette.
Only a few short weeks ago, the autumn color change began with wildflowers in our meadows. It has now made its way up the surrounding ridges. Trees along our many woodland trails are becoming brighter as we move toward peak season. Black walnut trees are turning light green to yellow, and silver maples (so named because the underside of the leaves has a silvery hue) are turning a nice golden yellow. Red maples are leaning more orange and red. Note that the leaves may not be the only colorful thing on a maple; many of our trees have unwelcome invasive spotted lanternflies walking on their trunks and limbs. Black cherries, boxelder and hickories are adding yellows to the woodlands and field edges, while oaks (red, black and white) add splashes of crimson and purple.
Best place to view:
This week, visitors might want to visit Sweet Run’s orchard. Located near the park's visitor center and interpretive center. Orchards are a large part of this area's agricultural history. Today, Sweet Run continues this mission through collaborations with the Loudoun County Virginia Cooperative Extension, Scouts and local schools, hosting community plantings, volunteer maintenance and educational programs. The orchard features fruit-bearing trees and bushes, including apples, quince, medlar, cherry, blueberry and more. The orchard highlights sustainable ecosystems, supports local wildlife and preserves historic farming traditions. It is also a great place to take in the surrounding ridges, which are getting closer to peak autumn color.
Why visit this week:
Oct. 31, 2026. 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Grab the leash, bring your pup and join us for our Howl-O-Ween B.A.R.K. Ranger Hike. Come dressed for the occasion! Dog and human costumes are optional—but highly encouraged! Find out more.
Maples at higher elevations and in the upper canopy are showing bright reds. Mid-level trees like hornbeam and ash are turning yellow, and hickory and birch are also becoming yellow. Depending on the light, maples can look yellow, orange or red. Nearby ridges, including Short Hill Mountain and the Blue Ridge, show a mix of pale green, new yellow and spots of red.
Best place to view:
This week, we invite visitors to visit Gordon Pond. This four-acre body of water sits in the western portion of the park just under the Blue Ridge. Visitors can access the pond by driving down Sawmill Lane to Arnold Lane and then hiking Arnold Trail to Legacy Loop Trail. Near the Arnold Trailhead, notice how the Christmas ferns (dark green) mingle with the hay-scented ferns (yellow to golden brown). Along the way, you will slosh through the detritus from years of fallen leaves. While not as eye-catching as the colorful leaves, these leaves from past autumns help create the rich soil needed for next spring’s growth. To cross Sweet Run, visitors can make a wet crossing or use Scout Bridge (a log bridge built by Boy Scouts). Along the way, notice how the mid-canopy is coloring. Hornbeam, hickory, ash and black walnut, to name a few, are painting things yellow. Why are some maples yellow and orange before turning red? They are in transition. When the leaves lose chlorophyll, their true color, yellow, is revealed. Next, a chemical reaction in the leaves, triggered by sunlight and cooling temperatures, produces a pigment called anthocyanins, which shifts the leaves from yellow to orange to red.
Why visit this week:
This is the week to visit Sweet Run. Along with breathtaking fall hikes, visitors can experience the hands-on traditional crafts and skills that were essential to life “between the hills” at our Homestead Heritage Day, Saturday, Oct. 24, from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. Learn about the park’s rural heritage and the ingenuity of living from the land while enjoying a scenic hay wagon ride.
Black walnut trees across the park have stopped making chlorophyll. As the green fades, their natural yellow color appears. The leaves don’t turn yellow—they are yellow! Walnuts are among the first trees to show this color. In wetter soil, sycamore trees, which also have yellow leaves, are starting to add color to the woods. In other areas, red maples are becoming more vibrant. Be sure to look down, too. Wildflowers like fall phlox (pink), cup plants (yellow) and coneflowers (purple) thrive in the uncultivated fields and wet soils along our streams.
Best place to view:
This week, we invite visitors to move from the open fields into the woodlands. Our two streams, Piney Run and Sweet Run, and their tributaries make our park perfect for plants that seek out wet soil. Those woods are now beginning to show color. As you start down Farmstead Loop Trail, you will pass the Little Free Lending Library, currently framed by the deep purples of a flowering dogwood tree. Along the stream banks, keep an eye out for clusters of sycamore, among the first to turn yellow, drinking from the abundant, wet soil. Higher on the forested hills, black walnut trees are also adding yellow to the green landscape. Before you leave, stop by the pollinator garden, where bees and other insects still tend yellow black-eyed Susans and white asters.
Why visit this week:
A comment we often get on feedback surveys pertains to the tranquility of Sweet Run State Park. The kids are back in school, the leaves aren't at peak color change yet, and the temperatures are ideal; this might be the week for a peaceful exploration of our premises.
The park is full of color even in these weeks ahead of the peak fall season: Spicebush berries are at peak ripeness. Waves of bright yellow goldenrod cover some fields, while blackberry brambles mixed with other canes and early-fading herbaceous plants turn purple and brown in others. The mornings are crisp, and the nights are growing longer, which will soon encourage our trees to take on more color.
Best place to view:
Fall can be best found in the fields. Walk Mountain View Trail to see the predominant goldenrod stretch from forest edge to forest edge, then compare it with the field next to the Interpretive Center, where blackberry brambles are shutting down the transfer of fluid; sugar is getting trapped in leaves that are now turning purple. These two fields, not far apart, are great examples of the microclimates that exist at Sweet Run. If you want to catch the spicebushes at their peak, take a walk along Old Bridge Trail and stop on Old Bridge to view and listen to Piney Run.
Why visit this week:
Visit the park on Saturday, Oct. 10 for Croaks, Calls and Crawlers. This evening program begins at 6 p.m. and runs for an hour and a half, introducing local reptiles and amphibians. Learn about fall behaviors and how scientists and community volunteers help monitor their populations. The National Frog Watch program and Loudoun Wildlife Conservancies Reptiles and Amphibians iNaturalist Project will be discussed. Participants will walk to Wortman Pond to listen to and identify species by their calls.
Most tree species across Sweet Run State Park remain light to dark green, but early signs of fall are emerging. The upper edges of red maples are beginning to blush red, especially in lower-elevation fields where seasonal change starts first. In the meadows, several field plants are shifting as well: goldenrod is at peak gold, dewberry leaves are showing early red and burgundy tones, and milkweed pods are opening, releasing their white, cottony strands. These subtle but growing changes mark the beginning of the park’s autumn progression.
Best place to view:
Lower-elevation fields offer the earliest and most noticeable color changes. All open meadow areas at Sweet Run State Park provide sweeping views framed by Short Hill Mountain to the east and the Blue Ridge to the west. Visitors can enjoy the first hints of red in shrubs and young trees.
Why visit this week:
Those wanting to give nature a helping hand can join us this Saturday, Oct. 3 to help in Sweet Run's Pollinator Garden. Party in the Pollinator Garden runs from 9 - 10:30 a.m.
If you are not the morning type, sleep in and join us for Earth and Sky Adventures from 6:30 – 9:30 p.m. Start the evening with a twilight hike and then explore the stars with telescopes as the Northern Virginia Astronomy Club guides us through the night sky.
So far, we have isolated spots of color emerging in our foliage – black walnuts are turning yellow and dropping leaves, sassafras is turning red, blackberry canes give a pop of burgundy – and there plenty of wildflowers in our meadows. This week, the scenery is likely to be peeking through rain or mist, but that means cooler hikes and good opportunities for photography. Any precipitation will only increase the vibrancy of our fall foliage in the coming weeks.
Best place to view:
Take in the scenery this week at the East Meadow Trail, Upper Sweet Run Trail and the meadow uphill behind the Interpretive Center.
Why visit this week:
Join us on Sept. 26, for a monthly bird walk hosted byLoudoun Wildlife Conservancy We'll meet at 8 a.m. at the main parking lot for a guided hike to spot and learn about local and migrating birds.
If getting your hands dirty is more your style, join park volunteers at 10 a.m. for an invasive pull, making sure our native plants (and the animals that depend on them) can flourish in the park. Either way, parking is free on Saturday to celebrate National Public Lands Day.
