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Friday Fall Foliage Report: October 20, 2017
Virginia State Parks are beautiful year-round, but there is something special that happens every October that we just can't ignore. We're so busy with our activities, football, and special events that we almost miss it, as it sneaks in and takes over our parks, fall.
Most of the time we don't recognize this incredible transformation until the winds and rain literally knock the colorful autumn leaves off the trees. One thing we don't want to do is miss it entirely, it will be gone before you know it, so make plans to visit your favorite Virginia State Park soon.
Here are some parks that invite you to check out their foliage this week:
The leaves are really putting on a show
Color changes: Beech Trees and Oaks are what we are seeing most this week. Mostly Yellow and Russet color. We still have some trees that haven’t started changing colors, hopefully we will be seeing that within the upcoming week.
Best place to see the leaves: All around the park you will find some color, we still haven’t reached our peak yet so more colors coming soon!
Why you should visit this week:
Saturday, October 21
1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. Harvest Activities. Bring your family and friends out for an afternoon of fun. There will be fall crafts, games, and much more. There is a little something for everyone! Meet at Shelter 3. FREE
2:00 p.m. - Fall Harvest Walk. Join Carrie Sparks as she points out the variety of plants and trees giving off their last burst of beauty before their deep winter sleep. Meet at the Boat Ramp off Mitchell Valley Road. FREE
5:00 p.m. - 6:30 p.m. Harvest Hayrides. Join us for a relaxing hayride throughout the park - getting the true essence of fall. Hayrides will be leaving at 5:00, 5:15, 5:30, 5:45, 6:00, 6:15, 6:30. Afterwards, a hayride will leave at 7:00 p.m. to take you up to the old Amphitheater for some Ghostly Campfire Stories. FREE
7:00 p.m. - Ghostly Campfire Stories. End the day with a campfire at the Old Amphitheater, listening to storyteller, Gale Buck. Meet at Parking Lot 6 where we’ll have a hayride up to the trailhead. From there, we’ll take a short hike (.25 miles) to the Old Amphitheater. The trail will be illuminated by luminary bags but feel free to bring a flashlight of your own. Wear appropriate shoes and dress warm. FREE
Sunday, October 22
4:00 p.m. - Kayak Birding Adventure. What better way to experience the sights and sounds of nature than by kayak? As we venture around the lake, we’ll take a closer look at any water fowl or fall migrants that make an appearance. Must be at least 6 years old. Pre-registration required at park office. $5 per person for $4/person for groups of 4 or more. Meet at the Dock-N-Shop.
Color changes: Maples continue to change color. After heavy rains this week, many of the ash, hickory, tulip poplar that were changing to yellow last week lost their leaves. We are still waiting on the red and oranges to come into full color.
Best place to see the leaves: Buck Hill Trail, Cedar Creek Trail and of course the Natural Bridge.
Why you should visit this week: Our Ridge Line Wagon Rides on Saturday evening and the Monacan Exhibit, which is open daily.
Festive fun this fall at Twin Lakes State Park
Color changes: Still a lot of green, but yellow and orange are popping.
Best place to see the leaves: You can see the leaves twice at the fishing pier on Goodwin Lake. Look up at the trees, down at the reflection of trees on the water.
Why you should visit this week: Fri and Sat 10/20 & 10/21 6p-10p Annual Haunting on the Lake Trail, “prepare to be scared”, and on Saturday 10/21 Family Friendly Festival 12-4pm including bounce house, wagon rides and trick-or-treating.
Color changes: Most color changes are visible on Maples, Sweet Gum, Dogwood, and Oak trees. Maples maintain reddish green color. Sweet Gum trees are transitioning from green to red/orange. Dogwoods are now completely rust colored. Oak trees are starting to change to brown color.
Best place to see the leaves: The best places to see color in the park are along State Park Rd. as you enter the park, along the lake edge around the park, and also on our trails.
Why you should visit this week: This weekend we will have sunny weather with highs in the lower 70’s. Fishing is great this time of year around the park due to the fall temperature changes.
Color changes: Maples are still trying to change. Most are showing signs of red color now. Most sugar maples have already lost the majority of their leaves. Poplars are starting to change a little more (yellow) and with the recent frosts, the Hickory trees are starting to change color to yellow.
Best place to see the leaves: The Surber Cabin provides some of the best views of the entire park because you can see the changing leaves of the trees out in the open, the ones on Wilderness Road Trail and those on Cumberland Mountain.
Why you should visit this week: The Wilderness Road Trail offers a beautiful 8-plus mile hike with views of the Cumberland Mountain and lots of native trees. Also, the leaves that have fallen provide a roadway of leaves, a great fall walk.
Color changes: Although fall foliage is not quite visible in the park yet, colors staring to be distinguished, Dogwood leaves are changing color to orange and burgundy, Sweetgum are mainly green turning a little yellow, and Oaks started to turn copper.
Best place to see the leaves: Bay View Trail and picnic area.
Why you should visit this week: Visit Mason Neck State Park for the Park After Dark special event this Saturday, October 21(6:30 p.m.-9:00 p.m.) This rare "park after dark" experience will provide visitors of all ages the opportunity to join a guided night hike exploring the wonders aglow in the forest, relax around a warm campfire, and experience the wonders of our Enchanted Forest for little explorers.
Why you should visit: New River Trail will be hosting a Halloween Celebration on October 28, 2:00pm-6:00pm. Entry fee is $2 per child under 12, adults are free. There will be pumpkin carving, children’s costume contest, pet costume contest, train/hay rides, trick or treating, and face painting.
Color changes: This week at Bear Creek Lake State Park the tulip trees are beginning to drop their leaves. The hickory, walnut and red buds are yellow. Reds are viewed in red maples, dogwoods, and sour wood. Even orange can be viewed in sweet gum.
Best place to see the leaves: The brilliance of fall color can be seen as you come into the park along Trents Mill Road. Once in the park, Oak Hill Road and Bear Creek Lake Road are also nice drives to view the fall colors. As pictured, fall color can be enjoyed from the beach area and the lake.
Why you should visit this week: Bear Creek Lake State Park will offer an Autumn Discovery program on Sat October 21, 2017 at 11am. This program will look at the fall colors and what the wildlife are doing this time of year. However, a self-guided hike along any of our trails is another great way to view then fall colors. Enjoy a relaxing paddle across the lake or sit back and watch as the leaves gentle cascade from the tree around any of our campsites or cabins.
Color changes: The Caledonian trees are struggling to let go of their green coloring even at this point of October but we do see yellows, oranges, and a few reds peeking through.
Best place to see the leaves: This week, Alder Flats on the Jones Pond Trail is particularly beautiful with the fall colors reflecting in the water.
Why you should visit this week: This weekend, we are holding a special Colonial Pastimes program at Caledon where guests can learn about colonial crafts and games and have the chance to try their hand at a few for free. For more information, follow this link. There will be an Owl Prowl on Saturday as well.
Color changes:
- Dogwoods are turning a deep red, almost burgundy
- Hickories and Walnuts are turning yellow and beginning to fall
- Tulip Poplars are still turning yellow, and some are green
- Gum is turning orange
- Sourwood is another shade of yellow
- Oaks are just barely starting to turn their shades of yellow and orange
Best place to see the leaves: Lakeshore Trail, Bull Mountain Overlook, Mountainview Overlook
Color changes: Last night was the coldest to date this autumn. And, we had lots of early morning fog only on the water here at Holliday Lake. The fishermen didn’t seem to mind. This is a common occurrence this time of year as the air temperature is colder than the water temperature.
Best place to see the leaves: Early morning the mist drifts over the lake, as the park wakes up for the day. A visit to the lake's shore or hiking one of our trails would be amazing right now. Hope you enjoy some of our peaceful moments from Holliday.
Color Changes: Hickory trees have turned yellow, oak trees still have a lot of green but there have been many leaves fall because of the drought throughout the year.
Best place to see the leaves: On top of the dam or at the Tuscarora Overlook.
Why you should visit this week: Douthat is expecting beautiful fall weather for the weekend. The local Shriners Fall Festival begins Friday and runs through Sunday at noon.
13. SMITH MOUNTAIN LAKE STATE PARK
Color Changes: Poplars and Maples are changing just a little bit. Hickories are have changed and dropping leaves. Dogwoods are red.
Best place to see the leaves: Park Roads, the Discovery Center has a nice view of the mountain.
If you have read the article and have a question, please email nancy.heltman@dcr.virginia.gov.
