Exceptional leaf peeping season nearing its end
Charleston, W.Va. – This year, the Mountain State has experienced one of the best fall seasons in history, with foliage lasting nearly two months. Fall color is stretching into the month of November and can be seen in areas of West Virginia with lower elevations. Spend this weekend outdoors in Almost Heaven to catch the last of the exceptional autumn color while you can.
“The fall season always seems to go by so quickly, but this year we were extremely lucky to get more than eight weeks worth of fall color,” said West Virginia Department of Tourism Secretary Chelsea Ruby. “If you’re itching to take advantage of fall in the Mountain State, there’s still time! Get outside with your family and friends this weekend to soak up every last minute of autumn in Almost Heaven.”
Fall Foliage Update
Fall color is widespread in the Metro Valley and Hatfield-McCoy Mountain regions of the state. Lasting shades of orange and red can still be spotted around the state’s capital leading down to the southern border of Mercer County.
“As we are nearing the end of one of the best fall foliage seasons we have had in the last 10 years, I would encourage everyone to get out this weekend to enjoy the beautiful colors before it’s too late,” said Division of Forestry Director Jeremy Jones. “We should be seeing peak color throughout our southern coalfields, so a ride on the Hatfield-McCoy Trails or a hike at one of our state parks or forests would provide a great opportunity to see great colors.”
Featured Scenic Drives and Activities
Drive along Kanawha Boulevard for enchanting views of colorful oak, cedar and birch lining the river banks. For an outdoor escape, hike the historic Sunrise Carriage Trail and end with sweeping views of the capitol city painted with fall color. Ritter Park in Huntington also makes a lovely place to spend time amongst West Virginia’s natural autumn beauty.
Over 18 miles of spectacular footpaths await at Chief Logan State Park, situated right in the midst of peak fall foliage. Kick up some dust with a rip-roaring ride on the nearby Hatfield-McCoy Trails. With more than 1,000 miles of off-roading terrain, this trail system makes for a thrilling way to discover Almost Heaven’s autumn beauty. Looking for more waterfalls to check off your list? Journey along State Highway 10 South and visit Camp Creek State Park in Mercer County to find Campbell and Mash Fork Falls, both stops along the West Virginia Waterfall Trail.
Get Outside
The Department of Tourism has once again partnered with AllTrails, the most trusted and used outdoor platform in the world, to give away free six month memberships to AllTrails+ for dedicated fans of Almost Heaven. Experience some of the best leaf peeping opportunities when hiking throughout West Virginia, the third-most forested state in the entire country. Sign up today at wvtourism.com/alltrails-2023.
AllTrails is home to the most extensive collection of digital trail guides, with over 400,000 hiking, running, and mountain biking trails worldwide. The platform helps users find and explore new trails and connect them to routes best suited for their unique needs.
About the West Virginia Department of Tourism
Known as the Mountain State, West Virginia is one of the most scenic states in the United States and home to thousands of acres of parks and public lands, including America’s newest national park, 36 state parks, nine state forests and 3 rail trails. In addition to its majestic mountains and rolling hills, West Virginia is full of rich historic sites, enchanting art galleries, charming towns and an immense sense of belonging found only in its heaven-like landscapes.
Fall in West Virginia continues to receive national recognition this season, with mentions in top-tier publications such as Travel + Leisure, National Geographic, Lonely Planet, Forbes, Observerand more.
The West Virginia Department of Tourism’s live leaf tracker will be updated in real time, featuring user-generated photos from social media. To access the live leaf map, along with the latest updates, happenings and insider tips around fall in Almost Heaven, visit WVtourism.com/fall. For more information about West Virginia, visit WVtourism.com and start planning your trip today. To access high-res images, click here. Photo credit: West Virginia Department of Tourism.
