Washington DC does not have the full allure of fall like the northeastern states do but we the colors of fall are still an amazing sight to see every year. If you drive just under 250 miles around the Washington DC area, you will be able to enjoy this gorgeous fall foliage road trip around Washington DC this year. If you want to map out the route, you can do so here!
The route starts in the North at Harper’s Ferry and then twists and turns 222 miles through the prettiest fall scenes in the District area all the way to Shenandoah Valley. If you’re feeling extra adventurous, spend the night in Shenandoah to soak up even more of the fall season!
Google Maps
Harpers Ferry - 171 Shoreline Dr, Harpers Ferry, WV 25425
Flickr/Emily Harpers Ferry is a charming town where West Virginia, Virginia and Maryland meet. There is also a national park there. Harper’s Ferry is one of the only towns through which the Appalachian Trail passes and nestled between the Shenandoah and Potomac Rivers, it provides spectacular fall views.
Seneca Creek State Park - 11950 Clopper Rd, Gaithersburg, MD 20878
Flickr/Nicolas Raymond Wrapped around 90 acres of lake is this Maryland State Park in Gaithersburg. There are miles of trees that provide a beautiful array of colors during the fall season.
National Arboretum - 3501 New York Ave NE, Washington, DC 20002
Flickr/Nicolas Raymond The National Arboretum is one of DC’s best kept secrets. Peaceful, quiet and beautiful, this place is the perfect way to soak up the fall foliage. This living museum has 446 acres of trees, plants, flowers and vegetation that remains breathtaking all year round!
Rock Creek Park
Flickr/Dion Hinchcliffe The gem of the district, Rock Creek lights up during the fall. Miles and miles of golden, oranges and reds make it an enchanting place to stroll during the fall season.
National Arlington Cemetery - Arlington, VA 22211
Flickr/ Ronel Reyes National Arlington Cemetery is breathtaking and awe-inspiring any point of the year. However, when you step onto the peaceful grounds and are met with rows of graves, honoring the heroes of this country among the scattered red and orange leaves, with golden light peaking through the tops of the trees, it’s almost impossible not to feel the tears in your eyes at the beauty and richness of the grounds.
Mount Vernon - 3200 Mount Vernon Hwy, Mt Vernon, VA 22121
Flickr/Derek A Young Then we move onto George Washington’s Mount Vernon. The former President’s home sits just outside of DC in Alexandria on 500 acres of rolling hills, along the shore of the Potomac River. The natural scenery and well kept grounds are a beautiful background during the fall season.
Great Falls Park - 9200 Old Dominion Drive, McLean, VA 22102
Flickr/John McTarnaghan The rushing falls of Great Falls Park in Virginia are typically the main attraction during these hikes but not during the fall. As you climb one of the most popular hiking trails in the state, you will be rewarded with views of orange, golds, reds and yellows trees all along the falls.
Shenandoah Valley - 3655 U.S. Highway 211 East Luray, VA 22835
Flickr/Vijah Kalakoti A few hours south of Washington DC, Shenandoah Valley is one of the prettiest places in the area during the fall season and it is worth the drive! There are 75 scenic overlooks in Shenandoah so there are plenty of opportunities to see nature in all of its glory. The National Park website has a fall color report so you can track to see when the colors are at their richest.
The colors have not started to change over yet so you still have time to plan your fall foliage adventure. Keep track of the fall colors with the handy fall foliage reports so you know you are going at peaks season!
Google Maps
Flickr/Emily
Harpers Ferry is a charming town where West Virginia, Virginia and Maryland meet. There is also a national park there. Harper’s Ferry is one of the only towns through which the Appalachian Trail passes and nestled between the Shenandoah and Potomac Rivers, it provides spectacular fall views.
Flickr/Nicolas Raymond
Wrapped around 90 acres of lake is this Maryland State Park in Gaithersburg. There are miles of trees that provide a beautiful array of colors during the fall season.
The National Arboretum is one of DC’s best kept secrets. Peaceful, quiet and beautiful, this place is the perfect way to soak up the fall foliage. This living museum has 446 acres of trees, plants, flowers and vegetation that remains breathtaking all year round!
Flickr/Dion Hinchcliffe
The gem of the district, Rock Creek lights up during the fall. Miles and miles of golden, oranges and reds make it an enchanting place to stroll during the fall season.
Flickr/ Ronel Reyes
National Arlington Cemetery is breathtaking and awe-inspiring any point of the year. However, when you step onto the peaceful grounds and are met with rows of graves, honoring the heroes of this country among the scattered red and orange leaves, with golden light peaking through the tops of the trees, it’s almost impossible not to feel the tears in your eyes at the beauty and richness of the grounds.
Flickr/Derek A Young
Then we move onto George Washington’s Mount Vernon. The former President’s home sits just outside of DC in Alexandria on 500 acres of rolling hills, along the shore of the Potomac River. The natural scenery and well kept grounds are a beautiful background during the fall season.
Flickr/John McTarnaghan
The rushing falls of Great Falls Park in Virginia are typically the main attraction during these hikes but not during the fall. As you climb one of the most popular hiking trails in the state, you will be rewarded with views of orange, golds, reds and yellows trees all along the falls.
Flickr/Vijah Kalakoti
A few hours south of Washington DC, Shenandoah Valley is one of the prettiest places in the area during the fall season and it is worth the drive! There are 75 scenic overlooks in Shenandoah so there are plenty of opportunities to see nature in all of its glory. The National Park website has a fall color report so you can track to see when the colors are at their richest.
For more fall fun, be sure to visit these amazing corn mazes in the area!
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Address: 3501 New York Ave NE, Washington, DC 20002Address: 11950 Clopper Rd, Gaithersburg, MD 20878Address: 9200 Old Dominion Drive, McLean, VA 22102Address: 3655 U.S. Highway 211 East Luray, VA 22835Address: 3200 Mount Vernon Hwy, Mt Vernon, VA 22121Address: 171 Shoreline Dr, Harpers Ferry, WV 25425
