CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Although October is quickly coming to a close, trees across West Virginia continue their dazzling transformation into shades of gold, amber, and garnet, a show that will last into early November.
Cool nights and bright sunshine have stretched this year’s fall color into a long and lingering show — one that has drawn travelers from across the country to the Mountain State’s winding roads and forested peaks.
According to Lindsey Funk, a public information specialist with the W.Va. Department of Tourism in Charleston, this week marks the release of the department’s final fall foliage update and the conclusion of its seasonal “leaf-peeping itinerary” series.
While more color is expected in the weeks ahead, she says, the state’s official fall campaign is wrapping up on a high note.
“Although there are still a few more weeks of fall foliage expected, this week's foliage update will conclude our leaf-peeping itinerary series,” Funk said.
The department’s final update celebrates what Funk described as a particularly long-lasting and vivid fall, thanks to the ideal combination of cool nights and sunny days that enhance leaf pigments and slow the seasonal fade.
“Thanks to cool nights and sunny days, the magnificent autumn colors that attract visitors from around the world to the Mountain State are expected to last a little while longer,” Funk said.
A Season That Refuses to End
From the spruce forests of the Allegheny Highlands to the farm valleys of the Eastern Panhandle, fall foliage in West Virginia typically unfolds over a six-to-eight-week window. The state’s dramatic variation in elevation from nearly 5,000 feet at Spruce Knob to under 300 feet along the Ohio and Potomac rivers creates a slow, descending wave of color.
The transformation begins in late September at the highest peaks, when the first hints of red appear in sugar maples and mountain ash near Canaan Valley and Dolly Sods Wilderness. By mid-October, the display has moved into the heart of the state, coloring forests around Elkins, Summersville, and Seneca Rocks.
Now, as October fades into November, the spectacle has reached the state’s southern and eastern valleys — areas that often enjoy the final burst of autumn color.
Funk noted that many communities across West Virginia are still showcasing strong foliage, with lower elevations expected to retain their color for several more weeks. “We anticipate peak colors to settle into many areas of the state this week,” Funk said, encouraging residents and visitors alike to “get out and enjoy the last few weeks of our fall foliage season.”
A Colorful Farewell: The Final Leaf-Peeping Itinerary
To cap off the 2025 season, the state tourism department has released its last pre-planned itinerary, designed to guide travelers through some of the Eastern Panhandle’s most scenic and festive destinations.
This week’s trip offers a mix of outdoor beauty, small-town charm, and autumn adventure, featuring apple picking, horseback riding, and even a spooky mystery walk.
🌄 Start at sunrise atop Cacapon Mountain Overlook within Cacapon Resort State Park, where visitors can take in sweeping views of gold and crimson treetops. The park’s Almost Heaven swing — perched near the overlook — offers a quintessential West Virginia photo opportunity.
🐴 Next, saddle up with Triple-C Outfitters for a guided horseback ride through fall scenery that captures the state’s rustic allure.
🍂 Stop for lunch at the Canary Grill and spend the afternoon exploring the boutiques and historic streets of Berkeley Springs, the spa town once frequented by George Washington.
🎃 In Martinsburg, visit Orr’s Farm Market to pick apples and pumpkins, sample fresh-pressed cider, and indulge in a signature apple cider donut — a favorite among locals.
🍴 Continue to Shepherdstown for dinner at the Bavarian Inn, where German-inspired dishes and river views provide a cozy close to the day. Travelers are encouraged to stay overnight in Jefferson County, which sits at the confluence of fall color and historic charm.
🍂 The following morning, guests can start the day with coffee and pastries from Battle Grounds Bakery & Coffee, then hike to “The Point”, where the Shenandoah and Potomac rivers meet beneath the cliffs of Harpers Ferry National Historical Park.
👻 To conclude the itinerary, the department recommends joining the Shepherdstown Mystery Walk, a guided exploration of the town’s haunted past and a stop on the West Virginia Paranormal Trail — a playful nod to the Halloween season.
“This fall season continues to get more beautiful the longer it lasts,” Funk wrote, highlighting that the week’s activities — from Halloween events to scenic overlooks — showcase the diversity of the Mountain State’s fall experiences.
The Science Behind the Show
Funk’s update attributes this year’s prolonged color to the ideal balance of weather conditions across West Virginia. Cool nights slow the breakdown of chlorophyll, allowing the reds, oranges, and yellows of underlying pigments to emerge. Sunny days enhance the brightness of these hues by triggering sugar production in the leaves, which intensifies red pigments.
That delicate rhythm of temperature and light has created a slow, rolling progression of color across the state. From the highlands to the river valleys, each week has revealed a different version of autumn’s palette.
Where the Color Lasts Longest
Even as October comes to a close, West Virginia continues to offer numerous destinations where travelers can enjoy late-season foliage through early November.
According to the tourism department's fall travel guidance, areas in the southern and eastern regions of the state tend to retain color later into the year, making early November a prime time to explore:
New River Gorge National Park
The lower elevations near Fayetteville, Grandview, and Thurmond continue to glow with oak and hickory trees well into the first week of November.
Hawks Nest and Babcock State Parks
Two of the state’s most photographed destinations, especially around the Glade Creek Grist Mill, remain popular for their golden canopies and reflective streams.
Pipestem and Bluestone State Parks
Located in the southern highlands, these areas typically hold onto their amber and bronze hues through the first half of November.
Greenbrier Valley
Around Lewisburg and White Sulphur Springs, rolling farmland and open meadows preserve their color into mid-November.
Eastern Panhandle
The gentle hills around Berkeley Springs, Shepherdstown, and Harpers Ferry are often among the last in the state to turn, sometimes maintaining bright foliage until Thanksgiving.
Scenic Drives for the Season’s Finale
As the final weeks of color arrive, West Virginia’s famed country roads offer travelers one more chance to take in the view. The Department of Tourism encourages visitors to enjoy a leisurely drive through one of the state’s scenic corridors:
Route 60 (Midland Trail) from Gauley Bridge to Lewisburg, passing waterfalls, river valleys, and small Appalachian towns.
Route 219 South from Elkins to Marlinton and Lewisburg, a classic stretch that winds through the Monongahela National Forest.
Route 20 from Pipestem to Hinton and Princeton, offering long vistas and rolling hills draped in color.
Route 9 through the Eastern Panhandle, connecting Charles Town, Shepherdstown, and Berkeley Springs, where the last bursts of fall color linger.
Along these routes, small farms and roadside markets continue to celebrate the harvest season, offering fresh cider, crafts, and seasonal produce.
A Statewide Tradition
West Virginia’s fall foliage is more than a visual event — it’s a seasonal tradition that supports local economies and fosters community pride. Small towns host harvest festivals, historic inns hang autumn wreaths, and state parks welcome thousands of visitors each weekend.
Each year, the Department of Tourism’s leaf-peeping campaign helps travelers discover new corners of the state while reminding residents just how diverse West Virginia’s landscapes can be.
Although the department’s weekly updates are coming to an end, Funk emphasized that the fall season is far from over. Visitors can still find rich color in the state’s lower valleys and eastern ridges well into November.
A Grateful Farewell to the Season
In closing her statement, Funk expressed gratitude to travelers, reporters, and communities that participated in this year’s fall campaign.
“We truly appreciate your support and coverage this season,” Funk wrote. “We will continue to share exciting announcements in the coming months.”
As the last official leaf report fades into memory, West Virginians can look back on a season defined by perfect weather and record-long color. Whether viewed from the Almost Heaven swing at Cacapon, a quiet overlook in the New River Gorge, or a roadside stop along Route 60, the message is the same: autumn in West Virginia lasts longer, shines brighter, and invites everyone to slow down and take it in.
Because in the Mountain State, the question “How long does the leaf change last?” has an answer that’s as poetic as the landscape itself — just long enough to remind us why we call it Almost Heaven.
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