Virginia, home to lush woodlands and the Blue Ridge Mountains, becomes a wonderland of color when fall arrives. The peak time to witness the autumn foliage is early October, while the best places to admire it range from state parks like Shenandoah to idyllic sites like Mabry Mill. To make sure you don’t miss the spectacle, check out these prime viewing spots.
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 really cosy way to extend your time in this magical park.
At Kiptopeke State Park on Virginia’s Atlantic coast, the forest meets the crashing waves, offers rare beauty that is hard to find in other state parks. Mix the sounds of the ocean with the influx of songbirds at this time of year, and your ears are in for just as much of a treat as your eyes. The park’s camping spots, especially the yurts, are a great choice for anyone wishing to stay a few days in rugged comfort.
If you drive west out of Richmond for about four hours, you eventually get to Mabry Mill, a simple, idyllic gristmill that represents rural Virginian life from back in 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 100 years ago, as well as a restaurant where you can try anything from pancakes to pot roast in a traditional environment.