Sep 1Dec 31
The predicted color stage on the selected date, modelled from years of fall color records. A forecast, not a live observation.When each area's color is predicted to peak this season. The date doesn't change this view.
Fall foliage near Mercer County, West Virginia
Explore locations and scenic byways near Mercer County, West Virginia.
In Mercer County
1 to 2 hours
Pandapas Pond54 mi · 1 hr 17 minVirginiaPeak: Late OctoberStatus: Moderate colorBabcock State Park59 mi · 1 hr 37 minPeak: Late OctoberStatus: Peak colorHungry Mother State Park79 mi · 1 hr 42 minVirginiaPeak: Late OctoberStatus: Peak colorNew River Gorge National Park and Preserve55 mi · 1 hr 42 minPeak: Late OctoberStatus: High colorMcAfee Knob81 mi · 1 hr 57 minVirginiaPeak: Late OctoberStatus: Moderate color
2 to 3 hours
Scenic driveBlue Ridge Parkway88 mi · 2 hr 8 minNicknamed "America's Favorite Drive," with high-elevation views of reds, oranges, and golds across two states.Scenic driveHighland Scenic Highway95 mi · 2 hr 12 minCrosses the mountains of the Monongahela National Forest.Mabry Mill99 mi · 2 hr 4 minVirginiaPeak: Late OctoberStatus: High colorBlue Ridge Parkway97 mi · 2 hr 21 minVirginiaPeak: Late OctoberStatus: Moderate colorPilot Mountain State Park117 mi · 2 hr 27 minNorth CarolinaPeak: Early NovemberStatus: High colorExplore Park100 mi · 2 hr 27 minVirginiaPeak: Late OctoberStatus: High colorGrayson Highlands State Park105 mi · 2 hr 30 minVirginiaPeak: Mid OctoberStatus: High colorHighland Scenic Highway120 mi · 2 hr 38 minPeak: Mid OctoberStatus: FadingNatural Bridge State Park121 mi · 2 hr 40 minVirginiaPeak: Late OctoberStatus: High colorHanging Rock State Park128 mi · 2 hr 42 minNorth CarolinaPeak: Late OctoberStatus: Moderate color
Over 3 hours
Scenic driveHocking Hills Scenic Byway198 mi · 4 hr 13 minDramatic gorges and waterfalls framed by some of the best fall colors in the Midwest.Boone & Blowing Rock144 mi · 3 hr 9 minNorth CarolinaPeak: Mid OctoberStatus: Peak colorLake Norman State Park157 mi · 3 hr 9 minNorth CarolinaPeak: Early NovemberStatus: High colorRoan Mountain State Park164 mi · 3 hr 22 minTennesseePeak: Mid OctoberStatus: Peak colorCass Scenic Railroad State Park145 mi · 3 hr 29 minPeak: Mid OctoberStatus: Past peakBlue Ridge Parkway160 mi · 3 hr 32 minNorth CarolinaPeak: Mid OctoberStatus: Moderate colorGrandfather Mountain160 mi · 3 hr 38 minNorth CarolinaPeak: Mid OctoberStatus: Moderate colorVeritas Vineyards & Winery190 mi · 3 hr 38 minVirginiaPeak: Late OctoberStatus: High colorCarter Caves State Resort Park179 mi · 3 hr 40 minKentuckyPeak: Mid OctoberDawkins Line Rail Trail180 mi · 3 hr 50 minKentuckyPeak: Mid OctoberLinville Gorge174 mi · 3 hr 53 minNorth CarolinaPeak: Late OctoberStatus: Moderate colorShawnee State Forest195 mi · 4 hr 1 minOhioPeak: Late OctoberStatus: High colorSouth Mountains State Park200 mi · 4 hr 5 minNorth CarolinaPeak: Early NovemberStatus: Moderate colorSeneca Rocks182 mi · 4 hr 10 minPeak: Late OctoberStatus: Peak colorHigh Bridge Trail State Park188 mi · 4 hr 11 minVirginiaPeak: Late OctoberStatus: High colorMount Mitchell State Park192 mi · 4 hr 12 minNorth CarolinaPeak: Late OctoberStatus: High colorBlackwater Falls State Park211 mi · 4 hr 15 minPeak: Early OctoberStatus: FadingBlue Ridge Parkway196 mi · 4 hr 27 minNorth CarolinaPeak: Late OctoberRed River Gorge219 mi · 4 hr 29 minKentuckyPeak: Late OctoberStatus: Peak colorCanaan Valley Resort State Park212 mi · 4 hr 30 minPeak: Mid OctoberStatus: FadingCraggy Gardens225 mi · 4 hr 36 minNorth CarolinaPeak: Late OctoberStatus: High colorNatural Bridge State Resort Park227 mi · 4 hr 38 minKentuckyPeak: Late OctoberCatawba Falls233 mi · 4 hr 44 minNorth CarolinaPeak: Late OctoberStatus: High colorDaniel Boone National Forest227 mi · 4 hr 51 minKentuckyPeak: Late OctoberStatus: Peak color
Driving distance and time by road from Mercer County.
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Planning Your Trip to Mercer County
From Mercer County you can reach 12 fall color locations and 1 scenic byways in West Virginia, for day trips that range from a one-hour hike to a full-day drive.
When to Visit
Across the destinations we track around Mercer County, peak color has historically landed in Mid October, measured from years of fall color records at those spots.
Highlights around Mercer County
New River Gorge National Park and Preserve
NPS · Public domain
Blue Ridge Parkway
United States. National Park Service · Public domain
How we know when Mercer County peaks
Each date above comes from years of fall color records at that specific spot, checked against what observers on the ground saw — not a regional average wearing a local name. Where a location has no usable observations of its own, we withhold the date and point you somewhere nearby that does.