Fall foliage guide around the DMV

Don't let a lil' chill in the morning air fool you — peak foliage around the DMV is still a ways away.

The big picture: The fall color change starts in the North and high elevations in the U.S., before making its way south, according to travel brand SmokyMountains.com.

Zoom in: They say the leaves in Virginia will reach near peak around Oct. 6, with ultimate splendor happening in mid-October around the 13th-20th.

• In Maryland, leaves may begin to change into stunning yellow colors in mid to late-October. Ultimate peak is expected around October 13-17th.

Between the lines: SmokyMountains.com uses historical weather reports, tree species info and user data to put together 2025 foliage prediction maps of the U.S.

Best places to view fall foliage in the D.C. area include:

• Shenandoah National Park in Virginia, where active leaf peepers can hike Old Rag. Anyone can drive along Skyline Drive for a beautiful view.
• Maryland's Patapsco Valley State Park outside of Baltimore turns lovely hues, and offers 200 miles of trails.
• The Potomac Heritage Trail is an easy one to access around D.C. — whether you're biking, walking, or paddling.

Fun fact: Leaves look green because of chlorophyll, the pigment that lets plants turn sunlight into energy.

• As days shorten in fall, chlorophyll production stops, the green fades, and yellows, oranges, reds, and purples show through — not borophyll!