Fall in Smyth County, Virginia means leaf peeping season, farmers markets in full swing, and a packed schedule of fun community events. To time your trip for peak fall foliage in 2024, we recommend the official fall foliage map from the Virginia Department of Forestry.
This rural county, where the mountains of Southwest Virginia surround Interstate 81, is home to some of the state’s highest peaks, world class fly fishing and breathtaking scenery. The combination of stunning mountain views, pure Americana, beautiful craftsmanship and quirky attractions is irresistible. A hiker and biker’s dream, this is also a place filled with many other recreational opportunities.
Top Spots for Fall Foliage in Smyth County
Explore Mount Rogers National Recreation Area, traversed by the famed Virginia Creeper Trail and a scenic byway offering views of mountain balds, roaming ponies and spruce forests. Hungry Mother State Park is known for beautiful woodlands and a placid 108-acre lake in the heart of the mountains with cabins, yurts and campgrounds, canoeing, kayaking and paddleboarding Grayson Highlands State Park is also a favorite with its alpine-like peaks, scenic vistas and herd of wild ponies.
For scenic fall drives, consider the Back of the Dragon, a twisty 32-mile route traversing three mountain ranges between Marion, VA and Tazewell, VA. For a longer, more leisurely drive, take the Mount Rogers Scenic Byway south from Marion, traveling through the heart of the Mount Rogers High Country.
Take our 5 Over 5000 Hiking Challenge
Fall is the perfect time to tackle the Five over 5000 Challenge in Southwest Virginia. The Five over 5000 Challenge boasts the five highest peaks in the state, featuring Mount Rogers (5,729’), Whitetop Mountain (5,525’), Pine Mountain/Wilburn Ridge (5,525’), Buzzard Rock (5,095’), and Haw Orchard Mountain (5,007’). Outdoor enthusiasts will hike each summit while conquering the Challenge, enjoying a wide variety of scenery, including wild ponies, alpine meadow, and old-growth spruce forests. The mountains of Southwest Virginia are at their most beautiful in fall, with gorgeous shades of red and orange varying by elevation, so it’s a great time to start this challenge that can be completed over a long time period. Folks who complete the challenge should be sure to check in at the Smyth County Visitor Center for fun prizes and to have their photo added to the wall of winners! Learn more at https://smythchamber.org/5-over-5000/
While the hikes vary in intensity, each can be accomplished as a day hike, and all five are located just a short drive from the trail town of Marion, Virginia. Marion, the county seat, has been dubbed “America’s Coolest Hometown” and its streets are filled with independent restaurants and locally owned retail shops. It’s also home to the Lincoln Theatre, built in 1929, the setting for famed PBS series, “Song of the Mountains.” Stay overnight in a variety of accommodations, from the historic General Francis Marion Hotel to The Merry Inn Hiker Hostel on Main Street.
Venture to more of Smyth County’s authentic Americana downtowns. In Saltville, see stories from the Ice Age and beyond at the Museum of the Middle Appalachians. In Chilhowie, explore the architecture of the historic H.L. Bonham House and take a walk on the downtown trail. www.VisitSmythCountyVA.com
Is Fall the Best Time to Visit Southwest Virginia?
The mountains of Smyth County are beautiful year-round, but the fall leaf-peeping season is one of the most popular periods for weekend getaways, and with good reason. While fall colors vary in intensity depending on annual rainfall and temperatures, visitors can reliably see shades of fall color beginning in October. The Virginia Department of Forestry estimates that peak color for Southwest Virginia fall foliage in 2024 will be in mid-October.
