Shenandoah National Park from Virginia · Public domain
Shenandoah National Park
A long, narrow national park running along the Blue Ridge Mountains in Virginia, famous for Skyline Drive and its sweeping valley views.
Forest Composition
Conditions & 5-Day Forecast
Fall Highlights
Field notes · 2026 estimate
When to see peak color at Shenandoah National Park
Peak fall color is predicted around October 21. Plan for the strongest viewing window from October 16 to October 26.
The prediction comes from 14 years of fall color records at this spot, checked against what observers on the ground saw. Where state foliage spotters report peak (New York, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin and Missouri), it has landed inside our ±5-day window about two years in three. An unusual summer or autumn can still move it further. Explore fall color around Front Royal and across Virginia.
That is 3 days later than usual (October 18): the six weeks to October 11 ran 2.3°F warmer than the 2001–2025 average, and a warmer run before peak delays the color.
Nearby locales
Other places to see color near Shenandoah National Park
2 to 3 hours
- Natural Bridge State Park98 mi · 2 hr 10 minPeak: Oct 26Status: Moderate color
- Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden101 mi · 2 hr 17 minPeak: Nov 4Status: Moderate color
- Libby Hill Park106 mi · 2 hr 24 minPeak: Nov 4Status: Moderate color
- Maymont105 mi · 2 hr 25 minPeak: Nov 3Status: Moderate color
- Virginia Capital Trail107 mi · 2 hr 27 minPeak: Nov 3Status: Moderate color
- Bear Creek Lake State Park91 mi · 2 hr 32 minPeak: Oct 31Status: Moderate color
- High Bridge Trail State Park100 mi · 2 hr 35 minPeak: Oct 30Status: Moderate color
- George Washington Memorial Parkway99 mi · 2 hr 37 minPeak: Oct 28Status: Moderate color