Where to See Fall Foliage in Virginia, USA

A five-hour drive west out of Richmond, the Natural Tunnel State Park displays electric colors at this time of year. Better still, you can take a chair lift up above the trees to experience the fall colors in a fun way and at a gentle pace. For those who like to stay on foot, there are trails that take you to the lip of the Natural Tunnel, where you’ll get tremendous views. The cabins on site are a cozy way to extend your time beneath the trees.

Abingdon is around 4.5 hours west of state capital Richmond and is part of a region of vineyards that produce some impressive new-world wines. Perhaps the best of the bunch is Abingdon Vineyards, set right next to some of the most popular trails in the region. You can spend the day kayaking on the lake, or walking on the Virginia Creeper Trail, a corridor of arresting beauty, where the changing colors and crunch of leaves underfoot will leave you feeling inspired.

At Kiptopeke State Park on Virginia’s Atlantic coast, the forest meets the crashing waves, offering rare beauty that’s hard to find in other state parks. With the sylvan spectacle set against the sound of the ocean, your ears are in for as much of a treat as your eyes. The park’s camping spots, especially the yurts, are a great choice if you’re seeking a few days of rugged comfort.

If you drive west out of Richmond for four hours, you eventually get to Mabry Mill, a simple, idyllic gristmill that represents rural Virginian life from the 1900s. Mabry Mill stands in a leafy location, so colors surround it as fall arrives, and the reflection of the sky and the mill on the pond evokes an Impressionist landscape. There are also exhibits where you can learn about what life was like over a century ago, as well as a restaurant where you can try anything from pancakes to pot roast in an erstwhile environment.