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Friday Fall Foliage Report: October 27, 2017
For many of us seeing the fall leaves is as exciting as experiencing the first snowfall when we were kids. It is not all about the leaves, of course, it is about the season.
Fall ushers in the smell of a crackling wood burning fireplace, slow sipping hot cider and spending time with the ones we love.
Now that the last Friday Fall Foliage Report for October 2017 is upon us, we better be a little more decisive in our leaf peeping. The leaves are peaking out at some parks, but at others in the Blue Ridge Foothills, Piedmont and Coastal areas they are just starting to pop. Across the board you really shouldn't miss visiting a Virginia State Park this week if you can help it.
The leaves as reported by these Virginia State Parks:
Spend a day on the farm at Sky Meadows State Park
Color changes: Looking up to the Blue Ridge, our leaf color has just started to show up and we are about 5 to 10 percent. Walnut, butternut, and many hickories have already lost their leaves. Hackberry trees turn pale yellow, but in many places leaves turn dry and brown and fall early. Most of our woodland trees have only just begun to turn. The weather here has been very dry then we got a lot of rain and it is still warm so that has greatly pushed back our color change for this fall.
Best places to see the color in the park: Historic Area, Piedmont Overlook trail, Lost Mountain side of park, Paris Overlook, and the Picnic area.
Why you should visit this week: We are having our final weekend of Fall Farm Days which is themed with the History of Sky Meadows. There will be living historians, blacksmith demonstrations, hearth cooking, tours of Historic Mount Bleak house, a display of herbal medicines, a 1940’s “victory garden”, kids scavenger hunt for farm tools and machinery, children’s play area, live music, food and drinks by Jordan Springs Market, and the pick-your-own pumpkin patch.
Color changes: The sycamores and hickories are producing beautiful yellow-green, yellow, and orange colors.
Best places to see the color in the park: The Jones Pond Loop is ripe with attractive sycamores and the Potomac Overlook Trail is always a good stop if you’re looking for fall colors.
Why you should visit this week: On October 28th, we are starting our Saturday off by taking a Remarkable Tree Tour through the park to view a selection of our most gorgeous trees. The tour starts at 10 AM and will feature a wagon ride. Later in the afternoon, Caledon’s annual Zombie Run 5K starts at 4 PM.
Follow this link for more info on registering for the race: One-Eyed Zombie Terror Trail 5K. Sunday, October 28th will feature an Eagle Tour at 11 AM and Monarch Madness at 2 PM.
SEE SOME OF OUR LEAVES HERE:
Color changes: We are starting to see a few pops of fall color this week in the few deciduous trees in False Cape. The wild grape vines are also displaying brilliant red and orange colors. There are lots of wildflowers still to be seen like the blue Bushy Aster and Golden Aster as well as some spooky spider webs nature has beautifully used to decorate the browning cattails.
Best places to see the color in the park: Sandridge Trail
Why you should visit this week: Fall migration is well underway and the waterfowl are beginning to make appearances along the marshes.
4. SMITH MOUNTAIN LAKE STATE PARK
Color changes: A hickory tree behind an intact tobacco barn is already in full color as you drive up to the Discovery Center. Maples are changing a good bit more from last week’s report. Hickories are have changed and dropping leaves. Dogwoods are red. Tree are much more colorful a majority of the oaks are still green.
Best places to see the color in the park: When you walk down to a viewing platform just below the Tobacco Run Trail, you can observe the brilliance of the changing leaves along the land bridge. Park Roads, the Discovery Center has a nice view of Smith Mountain.
Why you should visit this week: Be sure to drop by our Visitor’s Center and take a peek behind the building, where the trees are not hesitant to show off their fall attire.
Saturday October 28 Program starts at 1:30 p.m.
Goblins and Goodies
Halloween Program, at the Discovery Center.
Take a peek outside your door at cabin 1 Fairy Stone State Park
Color changes:
- Dogwoods are finished turning a deep red, almost burgundy
- Hickorys 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 starting to turn their shades of yellow and orange
- Maples have mostly turned shades of yellow, orange, and red
Best places to see the color in the park:
- Lakeshore Trail
- Bull Mountain Overlook
- Mountainview Overlook
Why you should visit this week:
- Blue Ridge Folklife Festival Saturday 10-28-17 at nearby Ferrum College – amazing event worth going to.
- Martinsville Speedway NASCAR Race Weekend 10-27-17 through 10-29-17 just a short drive from the park.
The changing leaves beautifully frame the rail trail along the New River
Why you should visit this week: A Halloween Celebration will be held at New River Trail on Saturday October 28, 2017 from 2pm-6pm. There will be pumpkin carving, pets and kids costume contest, trick or treating, and face painting.
Color changes: Trees we are seeing the color most from this week are Maple, Oaks, Sycamores and Walnut.
Best places to see the color in the park: All around the park you will find beautiful color, we should be at peak by the end of this week.
Color changes: Poplar, maple, sassafras, dogwood, sycamore, white oak. Teh reds and oranges are finally starting to peek through! Alot of the trees are losing leaves, but hopefully the weekend will be in full color change, lack of rain is a contributer.
Best places to see the color in the park: Cascade Falls and at the Jefferson Point.
Why you should visit this week: Wagon Rides Saturay 6:30 p.m. Halloween Program at 4:30 p.m. and Spider Program at 1:00 p.m. The special place is the ridgeline at Jefferson Point on our wagon rides.
9. SAILOR'S CREEK BATTLEFIELD STATE PARK
Color changes: We are seeing most of our color from maples, and gums right now. There has been a burst of color this week; reds, oranges and yellows.
Best places to see the color in the park: There is some beautiful foliage throughout the park. The driving tour that takes you through the park is a scenic ride with the fall foliage as a backdrop. Winding roads, open pastures and fields, as well as bridges overlooking Sailor’s Creek, lend themselves to a picturesque drive along the battlefield.
Why you should visit this week: The beautiful weather we have been enjoying this week is perfect for taking a scenic drive through our park or walking our trails. We offer four trails that take you through the battlefield and along Sailor’s Creek as well as areas to have a family picnic and enjoy the fall scenery. Take a rest on a bench overlooking the creek and take in the sounds of nature.
Color changes: Most color changes are visible on Maples, Sweet Gum, Dogwood, and Hickory trees. Maples maintain reddish red/orange color. Sweet Gum trees are a red/orange. Dogwoods are now completely rust colored. Oak trees are starting to change to brown color. Hickory trees are a beautiful bright yellow.
Best places to see the color in the park: 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 our annual Halloween Event on Saturday, October 28th.
Color changes: Fall foliage is becoming more and more visible in the park, colors had staring to be distinguished, Dogwood leaves are changing color to orange and burgundy and Oaks started to turn yellow and red with some brown fall.
Best places to see the color in the park: Bay View Trail and picnic area.
Why you should visit this week: Visit Mason Neck State Park and join a ranger for a Fall Colors hike around our most popular trail, the Bay View Trail, on October 28, 2017 (2:00 p.m. To 3:00 p.m.). Fall is here and the leaves are changing, Learn about the process that trees and other plants go through as they prepare for winter and lose their leaves.
Best places to see the color in the park: On top of the dam or at the Tuscarora Overlook.
Why you should visit this week: This is the last week of fall fishing stocking which ends October 31. So come out and enjoy the fall foliage and crisp air.
Color changes: The biggest changes that we have seen over the past week have been in the maple leaves. Here at Staunton River there are two red maple trees that can easily be seen from the Pool parking area. The leaves near the top of the tree have been the first to turn and the ones below will soon follow. These leaves are extremely red and are very noticeable from a distance.
We have also seen some of the willow oaks finally start to show some yellowish color in their leaves.
Best places to see the color in the park:
Why you should visit this week:
• We are finally starting to see more of that beautiful fall weather.
• The deer and other wildlife are starting to become more active in preparation for the upcoming winter.
• As leaves begin to fall there will be many areas that will become much more scenic.
• Due to the river being so low we have been able to observe hundreds of different wading birds which are now able to feed more easily on the variety of fish species that the Staunton and Dan rivers have to offer; along with the John H. Kerr Reservoir.
Color changes:
- Beach Trees beginning to turn Yellow
- Hickories in full foliage
- Dogwoods beginning to turn Red
Best places to see the color in the park: Beaver Lake Trail is a favorite among guests, but if you are able to canoe/kayak, Swift Creek will give you many great views.
Why you should visit this week: Last weekend of October is sure to bring some crisp nights and comfortable days. Last weekend of boat rentals at Pocahontas State Park and many great interpretive programs.
MORE FUN EVENTS
For more fun fall events, click here to search the events database. Also each state park's page also lists upcoming events at the bottom of the page.
If you are interested in overnight accommodations at any Virginia State Park, we are happy to help. You can learn more about cabins stays here, or family group lodges here, and campgrounds here. You can reserve lodging online 24/7 for up to 11 months in advance, you can also check availability.
If you prefer to speak to the Reservation Center, call 800-933-7275 during regular business hours. You can ask which cabins are waterfront, or more private, etc. when you call.
If you have read the article and have a question, please email nancy.heltman@dcr.virginia.gov.
