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West Virginia fall foliage
Among the 3 West Virginia destinations we currently track, typical peak runs from about October 10 around Snowshoe (4,800 ft) to about October 24 around Fayetteville (New River Gorge, 1,800 ft).
2026 foliage season
West Virginia fall foliage map
- Mostly green
- Starting to turn
- Moderate color
- Near peak
- Peak color
- Past peak
- Leaves down
Dots show the 3 West Virginia destinations we track, colored by today’s estimated stage. Select one for its forecast, or open the full foliage map to check any city or ZIP code.
Peak calendar
Bars show the typical best-viewing window for each destination. The dark mark is the typical peak. The last column shows today’s estimated status.
Check this year’s actual conditions. Leaves.com dates are estimates based on typical years. Before a trip, check the official report from the West Virginia Department of Tourism, updated weekly during the season.
West Virginia fall foliage updates →How fall color moves through West Virginia
In a typical year, the color moves through the 3 West Virginia destinations we track over about 2 weeks. Snowshoe is usually first, around October 10, and Fayetteville is usually last, around October 24. In order, the typical peaks are: Snowshoe around October 10, Davis around October 17, and Fayetteville around October 24.
Best places for West Virginia fall foliage
- Snowshoe: Snowshoe sits atop Cheat Mountain at about 4,800 feet, in the high Allegheny country of the Monongahela National Forest, where the color comes early and the views run across ridge after ridge.
- Davis: Davis sits high on the Allegheny plateau, at about 3,100 feet, where the color comes weeks ahead of the lowlands.
- Fayetteville: Fayetteville sits on the rim of the New River Gorge, which became a national park in 2020.
Scenic drives
- Near Snowshoe: The Highland Scenic Highway runs 43 miles through the Monongahela National Forest between US 219 north of Marlinton and Richwood.
- Near Davis: Route 32 runs south from Davis through Canaan Valley, with open meadows on the valley floor and wooded ridges on both sides.
- Near Fayetteville: Fayette Station Road, an 8-mile one-way road, winds down the side of the gorge from near Fayetteville, passing under the New River Gorge Bridge three times on its switchbacks to the river.
Planning around elevation
Snowshoe, at about 4,800 feet, is the highest destination we track in West Virginia, and it typically peaks about 14 days before Fayetteville, at about 1,800 feet. Within any one area, higher ground usually turns first, so if one place is still green, look higher; if it is past peak, look lower.
Visiting at different times
Early October. Snowshoe (best about Oct 9–Oct 17) is typically at its best.
Mid-October. Davis (best about Oct 16–Oct 24) is typically at its best.
Late October. Fayetteville (best about Oct 23–Oct 31) is typically at its best.
Trees behind the color
National park and forest guides
Common questions
When is peak fall foliage in West Virginia?
Among the 3 West Virginia destinations we currently track, typical peak runs from about October 10 around Snowshoe (4,800 ft) to about October 24 around Fayetteville (New River Gorge, 1,800 ft). Timing can shift by about a week in either direction depending on the weather.
Where does fall color peak first in West Virginia?
Snowshoe is usually first among the West Virginia destinations we track, with peak around October 10. Higher and more northern spots turn before lower and more southern ones.
Where is the latest fall color in West Virginia?
Fayetteville (New River Gorge) usually peaks last, around October 24. Later color here is usually found lower down and farther south, so if you miss peak elsewhere, head toward places like Fayetteville.
What trees give West Virginia its fall color?
The biggest contributors at the destinations we track include red maple, sugar maple, black gum, American beech, tulip tree, and shagbark hickory.
Check any city or ZIP code in West Virginia.
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