West Virginia Department of Tourism Celebrates First Signs of Fall Color
By Connect-Bridgeport Staff on October 01, 2026
Charleston, W.Va. –The West Virginia Department of Tourism celebrates the first signs of fall color making its way into the Mountain State
with the release of this year’s first fall foliage update.
with the release of this year’s first fall foliage update.
“We are so excited to welcome visitors to West Virginia this fall to discover the beauty that is Almost Heaven,” Tourism Secretary Kayla Kessinger said. “Our state has so much to offer, and we encourage locals and visitors alike to escape the noise and relax somewhere in West Virginia.”
According to local reports, the first peeps of fall color are emerging in the state’s highest elevation areas, particularly across Tucker and Pocahontas counties. Top destinations for early leaf-peeping include Canaan Valley Resort State Park, Blackwater Falls State Park, Dolly Sods Wilderness, Snowshoe Mountain Resort and Spruce Knob.
Travelers planning a fall getaway can easily pair foliage viewing with unique local attractions:
The West Virginia Paranormal Trail: Visit the newest stop on the trail at Droop Mountain Battlefield State Park in Pocahontas County. This stop blends rich Civil War history with eerie hauntings, where spirits of fallen soldiers are said to still march across the State Park.
Fall SWINGO Challenge: Check in at ‘Almost Heaven’ swings in the region to earn exclusive West Virginia prizes.
- Swing Spotlight:
· Snowshoe Mountain
· Canaan Valley Resort State Park
· Blackwater Falls State Park
· Camp Pioneer
Travelers and locals are invited to join the conversation by using #AlmostHeaven and tagging @wvtourism on social media with photos to help create the state's weekly fall foliage updates.
To keep tabs on all things fall in West Virginia, visit wvtourism.com/fall.
Image gallery: linked here. Photo credit: West Virginia Department of Tourism.
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