Aimee Pimentel 
We all love a trip to Skyline Drive, but there are so many leaf-peeping options here in Northern Virginia, making it easy to stay close to home and avoid the crowds. There are charming historic towns, beautiful botanical gardens, waterfront trails, and more, just waiting for you to take a walk, hike, or picnic and enjoy the color. There’s also a scenic highway so you don’t even have to get out of the car to get some fall colors. There’s a destination for any kind of fall outing, from the adventurous to the mundane. Read on for 15 of the best places to see fall foliage in + around Northern Virginia.
Bull Run Regional Park | 7700 Bull Run Drive, Centreville
Best for: Families
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Bull Run Regional Park has wooded trails, open meadows, + the scenic Bluebell Trail, all of which take on a different look once the leaves start changing. Its mix of trails and open spaces also makes it an approachable option for a family fall outing. There are campsites available plus naturalist-led programming nearly every weekend.
Burke Lake Park | 7315 Ox Road, Fairfax Station
Best for: Accessibility
Photo credit: Angela N via Flickr
Burke Lake Park is a local favorite for its lakeside trail and is an easy way to take in the changing leaves without leaving Fairfax County. The water adds an extra layer to the scenery, especially once the fall colors start reflecting across the lake.
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Fountainhead Regional Park | 10875 Hampton Road, Fairfax Station
Best for: Photography
Photo credit: Geopungo via Flickr
Occoquan Reservoir, Fountainhead Regional Park overlooks the Occoquan Reservoir and has wooded trails + scenic water views that become especially photogenic in the fall. It’s a good pick for anyone hoping to get outside and come home with plenty of seasonal photos.
George Washington Memorial Parkway | Arlington, Alexandria + McLean
Best for: Scenic Drives
Only in Northern Virginia would we have a major thoroughfare also be a national park. The GW Memorial Parkway is about as easy as it gets to get a dose of fall color: you’re probably using it for your daily commute, an airport pickup, or some other errand. There’s no denying that the GW overlooks the Mall + the Potomac, which are gorgeous in their own right. But the GW itself is worth slowing down for – it’s lined with all kinds of foliage and greenery that change with the seasons. It’s a great way to get some color without even getting out of the car, making it a good pick for those with limited mobility or busy schedules.
Great Falls Park | 9200 Old Dominion Drive, McLean
Best for: Waterfalls
Great Falls Park is one of Northern Virginia’s most iconic places to catch the leaves changing. Colorful trees surround the Potomac River + the park’s rocky overlooks, making the already-dramatic scenery even prettier in the fall. TFG tip: visit the park at sunrise or sunset to beat the crowds + get fantastic light.
Huntley Meadows Park | 3701 Lockheed Boulevard, Alexandria
Best for: Wildlife
Photo credit: Miki Jourdan via Flickr
Fall foliage comes with a side of wildlife spotting at Huntley Meadows Park. Visitors can stroll along the boardwalk through the wetlands while looking for colorful leaves, birds, + other wildlife along the way. Park naturalists frequently lead programs designed to spot wildlife such as owls and other park residents.
Lake Accotink Park | 7500 Accotink Park Road, Springfield
Best for: Lakeside Views
Photo credit: Diana Norgaard via Flickr
The trail around Lake Accotink makes this a scenic choice for a fall walk. Changing trees surround the water, with colorful reflections across the lake making the views even better throughout the season.
Leesylvania State Park | 2001 Daniel K. Ludwig Drive, Woodbridge
Best for: Sunsets
Leesylvania State Park combines wooded hiking trails, Potomac River views, + Virginia history in one outing. Spend the day exploring the park beneath the foliage, then stick around for the riverfront views as the sun goes down. There’s a brand new visitor center (literally, it opened in Fall 2026) with new amenities + educational resources for guests.
Manassas National Battlefield Park | 6511 Sudley Road, Manassas
Best for: History
Fall is a beautiful time to explore the wide-open landscapes at Manassas National Battlefield Park. Visitors can walk through the historic fields while taking in miles of scenery surrounded by colorful autumn foliage. This dog-friendly spot has over seven acres to explore, meaning you can find a new vista at every visit.
Mason Neck State Park | 7301 High Point Road, Lorton
Best for: Birdwatching
Mason Neck State Park combines wooded trails + Potomac River views with some especially good wildlife-watching opportunities. The park is one of the Northern Virginia spots highlighted for seeing bald eagles while also taking in the season’s fall colors. There are frequent events featuring local wildlife experts giving talks, and park naturalists leading events such as a guided walk to spot eagles. TFG tip: Mason Neck has an all-terrain wheelchair for visitors to rent, making this a good pick if someone in your group has limited mobility.
Meadowlark Botanical Gardens | Vienna
Best for: Gardens
Meadowlark Botanical Gardens is a particularly colorful choice thanks to its Japanese maples, winding paths, + landscaped gardens. There are plenty of spots to slow down and take in the foliage, making this one a good pick for a relaxed fall stroll. Most paths are paved, and there is a ton of parking, so this is an easy destination for a quick hit of fall color.
Occoquan Historic District | Occoquan
Best for: Charm
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This charming downtown is a good destination for those who are more into the aesthetics of a fall outing than getting up close and personal with the foliage during a hike. Visitors can stroll, shop + dine while enjoying the leaves along the Occoquan River, a tributary to the Potomac.
Riverbend Park | 8700 Potomac Hills Street, Great Falls
Best for: Kayaking
Riverbend Park has river views, wooded trails, + a somewhat quieter atmosphere for anyone hoping to enjoy the season without quite as many crowds. Its location along the Potomac also makes it a good choice for pairing fall foliage with time out on the water. Park naturalists regularly host bird-watching walks and other nature-focused events.
Sky Meadows State Park | 11012 Edmonds Lane, Delaplane
Best for: Hiking + wide open views
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Wide-open fields, mountain views, + hiking trails make Sky Meadows State Park an especially scenic place to spend an autumn day. The combination of open landscapes and wooded areas gives visitors lots of ways to take in the changing colors. It’s also an International Dark Sky park, meaning there is very low light pollution, great for stargazing at night.
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The State Arboretum of Virginia | 400 Blandy Farm Lane, Boyce
Best for: Ginkgos
Also known as Blandy Farm, the State Arboretum of Virginia is home to an impressive collection of trees. That variety makes it an especially good place to see multiple shades of fall color in one outing, especially its standout ginkgo trees. Keep an eye on the Farm’s Instagram account, which gives regular updates about the ginkgo grove’s progress.
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