CHARLESTON, WV — Gov. Justice announced on Sep 19th, that fall color has started making its way into West Virginia, with higher elevations in the state now seeing pops of bright autumn leaves sprinkled throughout the mountains. Despite a dry summer, the recent rainfall has welcomed glimpses of the vibrant fall season with many more weeks in store. 

View the annual fall foliage projection map prepared in partnership with the West Virginia Division of Forestry, to see when fall color is expected to appear across the Mountain State’s travel regions.

“West Virginia is blessed with four beautiful seasons, and fall may be the most incredible of them all,” Gov. Justice said. “God really looks down on West Virginia in the fall. We are already seeing our natural beauty on display around the state. I encourage everyone to get out and experience our stunning scenery—there’s truly nothing like it.”

The third-most forested state in the county, West Virginia is the perfect place to experience the awe-inspiring transition from summer to fall. Explore Dolly Sods Wilderness and Spruce Knob this weekend for a head start on stellar leaf-peeping views. Due to the state’s varied elevations, West Virginia’s autumn season will extend through November. 

“I’m so excited to share that spectacular autumn color is really starting to make its appearance in the Mountain State,” West Virginia Tourism Secretary Chelsea Ruby said. “Higher elevations are starting to show signs of fall with beautiful shades of orange and yellow. Now is the perfect time to start planning your fall getaway to West Virginia!”

With the state’s higher elevations expected to reach peak in the next couple of weeks, the Department of T?ourism will share the first official report next week. Fall foliage reports will include the “best bet” locations to catch fall color each week. 

“Thanks to the recent rain, we are now seeing signs of bright colors in the higher elevations of the state, which are expected to peak within the next few weeks,” Division of Forestry Director Jeremy Jones said. “We know folks were worried about the lack of rain, but current conditions are still tracking for a beautiful fall season.”

The West Virginia Department of Tourism will be releasing weekly fall foliage updates which will include a live leaf tracker that gives travelers an insider look at current autumn color around the state. The tracker will feature photos from social media using #AlmostHeaven and can be viewed online at WVtourism.com/fall. 

To access high-res images of fall foliage from past years, click here. Photo credit: West Virginia Department of Tourism.