Closer & More Colorful Than Shenandoah: 🍁

DMV's Top Fall Foliage Weekend Getaway Sky Meadows State Park—Virginia’s scenic “sky meadow” park. Peak foliage usually hits in late October, and this weekend might just be perfect—time to plan your trip! 🚗✨ This is my #1 recommended day-trip spot for fall colors near Washington DC. Located right off Route 66, it’s less than an hour’s drive from NOVA. It’s not far from Shenandoah’s Front Royal entrance, but here’s why I prefer Sky Meadows: 1. 🍂 Instant Color: At Front Royal, you have to drive deep into Shenandoah to see real foliage—but Sky Meadows greets you with vibrant reds and yellows right from the parking lot! 2. 🌄 Varied Views: Shenandoah is mostly skyline drives; here you get rolling meadows, farms, hills, and forests—plus fall festivals on weekends with volunteers performing horseback battle demos! 🐎⚔️ 3. 🥾 Piedmont Overlook Trail: An easy hike with breathtaking 360° views—cows, pastures, distant mountains… unbeatable for the effort! 4. 🌳 Combo Trip: Pair it with the Virginia State Arboretum nearby—especially their stunning ginkgo grove! 5. 🍷 Wine Country: The Delaplane/Paris area is VA wine country—perfect for a relaxing wine tasting after a day outdoors. Have you been to Sky Meadows in the fall? What’s your favorite Virginia foliage spot? #SkyMeadowsStatePark #DMVArea #DMV #Shenandoah #Virginia #NOVA #Maryland #WashingtonDC #FallColors #LeafPeeping #DayTrip #VAStateParks #AutumnVibes #ScenicViews #FallFestival #HikingTrails #WineCountry #EasyHike #FamilyFriendly #NatureEscape