Harpers Ferry National Historical Park

The DMV (DC, Maryland and Virginia) is one of the most verdantly beautiful stretches of land in the USA. The states and district are so closely connected that it’s easy to bounce between them, and they boast thousands of miles of parks, lined with deciduous trees, making your options for a fall foliage trip, well, extensive. Here, we’ve given you 14 possible options for a great autumnal experience.
Located in North Virginia, Reston is a trio of lakes – Thoreau, Audubon and Anne – which offer some lovely walking routes around them, spotting the various different tree species as you trace a route around the banks. Reston itself is a great place to relax, and two restaurants sit right on the edge of Lake Thoreau – Cafesano and Red’s Table, so you can can take in the scenery with a hearty meal in front of you.
Deep Creek is the largest lake in Maryland, spanning 3,900 acres (1,578ha) of water and a 69-mile (111km) shoreline. There are a few good places to see the leaves change, but Swallow Falls State Park, with its waterfalls and boardwalks, is unmissable. Boating and fishing are permitted on the lake, and the Annual Autumn Glory Festival in nearby Oakland is a great seasonal activity if you’re there in mid-October.
Another stop on the George Washington Memorial Parkway, Great Falls runs along the Potomac River, and offers 15 miles (24km) of good hiking routes perfect for an autumn day. The Great Falls themselves are on the southern boundary of the park, picking from a range of easy or challenging routes to take you there and marvel at the Falls (and the fall).
Callum Davies contributed additional reporting to this article.