NPS · Public domain
New River Gorge National Park and Preserve
Views of the gorge and its bridge framed by autumn color.
Forest Composition
Conditions & 5-Day Forecast
Field notes · 2026 estimate
When to see peak color at New River Gorge National Park and Preserve
Peak fall color is predicted around October 26. Plan for the strongest viewing window from October 21 to October 31.
- Predicted peak
- October 26
- Best window
- October 21 – October 31
- Confidence range
- ±5 days
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 Oak Hill and across West Virginia.
That is 4 days later than usual (October 21): the six weeks to October 16 ran 3.5°F warmer than the 2001–2025 average, and a warmer run before peak delays the color.
Nearby locales