Find Your Fall: Explore National Parks Across the Greater Capital Region

News Release Date: September 22, 2026
Contact:NCR Communications

WASHINGTON - You don't have to travel far to find spectacular fall color. National parks across the Washington, D.C., region offer countless ways to experience autumn, from mountain trails and Potomac River views to historic battlefields, urban forests and the National Mall.

As cooler temperatures arrive, maples, tulip trees, oaks, hickories and other trees transform park landscapes with shades of red, yellow, orange and bronze. Different species change at different times, creating an evolving show of color throughout the season.

"Every autumn, the greater DC-area parks and landscapes provide a spectacular reminder that nature is constantly changing and enduring", said Regional Director of the National Capital Region Jen Nersesian. "The brilliant colors of the season create memorable experiences for visitors while highlighting the importance of protecting these special places. We invite everyone to take the time to explore our region's parks this fall and experience the beauty of the season firsthand."

Explore fall in the forests

At Catoctin Mountain Park visitors can hike through colorful forests of oak, hickory, tulip poplar, red maple, black birch, American beech, and sour gum along the park's ridges and ravines. Prince William Forest Park offers wooded trails, quiet streams and changing forest canopies just outside metropolitan Washington. Turn a day trip into a fall getaway by camping beneath the changing canopy and waking up surrounded by the sights and sounds of the season.

At Wolf Trap National Park for the Performing Arts, fall is a good time to explore the park beyond the stage, with wooded trails and open spaces offering an easy way to enjoy the season on foot.

Follow the Potomac

Walk or bike along the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park, where autumn color follows the Potomac River through changing landscapes.

The George Washington Memorial Parkway connects more than 20 park sites by roads and trails. Great Falls and Theodore Roosevelt Island offer opportunities to experience fall beside the Potomac, while scenic drives and overlooks provide another way to enjoy the season.

Find fall in the city

Leave the car behind and take Metro to experience fall at three very different urban national parks. At Rock Creek Park, visitors can explore 1,754 acres of trails, streams, historic features and colorful forest in the heart of the city.

Along the Anacostia River, Anacostia Park offers a different view of the season, with riverfront space for walking, biking and enjoying the outdoors.

At the National Mall and Memorial Parks, walk beneath changing cherry trees along the Tidal Basin, take in autumn views around the monuments and memorials, or continue through West Potomac Park, where fall color creates a seasonal backdrop for some of Washington's most familiar landscapes. With more than 100 monuments and memorials, the park offers plenty of ways to combine an outdoor fall outing with history.

Step into history

Experience fall in places where pivotal moments helped shape the nation's future. At Manassas, Monocacy and Antietam National Battlefields or the Civil War Defenses of Washington, where forests, fields and historic roads take on the colors of the season, offering visitors a chance to explore both the landscape and the history that unfolded there.

At Harpers Ferry National Historical Park, history meets the landscape at the confluence of the Potomac and Shenandoah rivers. Visitors can explore historic streets or hike the trails while taking in autumn views of the rivers, surrounding hills and changing forests.

This fall, follow a trail, camp beneath the trees, ride beside the river, take Metro to the Mall, stop at an overlook or explore a historic landscape. Plan your visit and find a national park near you at nps.gov.

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About the National Park Service. Since 1916, the National Park Service has been entrusted with the care of America's national parks. With the help of volunteers and partners, we safeguard these special places and share their stories with millions of people every year. Learn more at nps.gov.

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