Shenandoah
At over 100 miles long, Shenandoah National Park features a wide variety of mini climate zones. When I reached Shenandoah National Park in mid October, many areas of the park were just on the verge of peak fall colors, while others looked just as if it was the middle of summer.
The Big Meadows at Byrd Visitor Center (mile 50) had a super interesting color as the low lying shrubbery turned red. A quick walk through the meadows was calm and a nice respite from the long skyline drive.
A quick hike to Blackrock Summit (mile 81) gave a good perspective on the views of Shenandoah. With evening glow, I was able to shoot shadows in the rolling hills below and an interesting contrast with the early-stage leaf changes.
The Moormans River Overlook (mile 92) is the perfect sunrise location for those staying on the south end of the park. With a perfect gap towards its east, the sun rises nicely through the Shenandoah ridgeline. During October, the orange and red leaves were in peak colors at this elevation, creating the perfect photo opportunity.
While not as striking as Yosemite, or diverse as Yellowstone, Shenandoah has a special place in the National Park System. With such close proximity to DC, Baltimore and Richmond, Shenandoah affords the opportunity for millions of Americans to get out and explore. Coming during fall gives a special opportunity to watch the leaves transition with the Virginia countryside as a backdrop.