Peak fall color at Wintergreen usually arrives in mid-to-late October, with the higher ridgelines turning a week or two before the valley floor. The best places to see it are the resort’s Colors of Fall chairlift rides (Saturdays in October), the overlooks along the Blue Ridge Parkway, and the hiking trails around Devils Knob.
Various guided hikes are hosted by The Nature Foundation at Wintergreen, for example: the Second Sunday Stroll on October 11 features a walk beneath one of the mountain’s most photographed stretches of fall canopy, led by Virginia Master Naturalist and Tree Steward Emily Ferguson. Visit the TNF website for a full list of hikes and locations.
Nearby Skyline Drive has been featured in Travel & Leisure Magazine for its fall vistas. Rockfish Gap Entrance Station marks the southernmost point for Skyline Drive in Waynesboro, about 20 minutes from Wintergreen off VA-151.
Why does the color peak earlier up here?
Elevation is the whole story. Wintergreen sits high on the Blue Ridge, and the higher you go, the sooner the trees turn. To put it in perspective: Stoney Creek sits about 800 feet above sea level, while the highest peak at Devil’s Knob is nearly 4000 feet at elevation. That’s why the summit and upper neighborhoods can be near peak while the valley is still turning, and why a single weekend can show you every shade at once depending on where you are. (In 50 years on this mountain, we’ve learned to watch the ridgelines first.)
How do you catch peak color without the crowds?
Weekdays are your friend. Peak foliage weekends are the busiest of the fall season, so a Tuesday-through-Thursday visit means open trails, easy parking, and the same spectacular color. Early-morning light also deepens the reds and golds.
What does all that elevation mean if you’re thinking about buying?
The same elevation that makes the views spectacular makes them valuable. Homes and lots with long-range or foliage views tend to draw stronger demand. If a four-season view is on your wish list, fall is the ideal time to see exactly what you’d be waking up to.
Frequently asked questions
Thinking about a home with a view worth waking up to? Check out 377 Devils Knob Loop or 299 Deer Springs Lane, for starters.
Or reach out for a fall tour – we’ll show you the mountain at its most beautiful.
Wintergreen Real Estate, established 1974, is the exclusive real estate partner for Wintergreen Resort, and part of the original Wintergreen developers.
