Attractions Index

LEAF-LOOKERS Guide

Skyline Drive
Leaf-Lookers Guide

The Blue Ridge Parkway may well be Americas most popular road for leaf viewers but Virginia's Skyline Parkway can't be very far behind. Thoug just over 100 miles long it is a favorite destination throughout the year - but most especially during the autumn leaf season. Even before the real autumn colors start to show the congestion begins until it can be like a slowly moving parking lot on some weekends. It is two-lane, curvy and can be dangerous. But, let's face it, the vistas are fantastic. You'll see the autumn leaves up close from the parkway and there are many places to stop and take pictures or just get out, stretch and admire the view. (Note - if you wish to avoid the parkway but still do your leaf-looking, see Virginia Interstates (I-66 and I-81).)

Virginia's Skyline Parkway begins just south of Front Royal and ends where it meets the Blue Ridge Parkway (where they cross I-64). Leaf-lookers coming from Hampton Roads, Petersburg and Richmond conveniently drive out I-64 to exit 99 and access the parkway there. Head north for the Skyline Parkway; south for the Blue Ridge Parkway. A favorite loop is to follow the Skyline Parkway to Front Royal and then take the I-66 to exit 28 and then the US-17 freeway south to Fredericksburg and on to Hampton Roads. Or, at Fredericksburg, get on I-95 for the return to the Richmond area. Folks from the Washington DC area would use I-66 in one direction and the US-29 freeway for the other making a neat, convenient loop and in no way short of colorful vistas.

Most accommodations are 'booked up' during the fall leaf viewing season. If you haven't made your hotel/motel reservations yet we have included access to an on-line hotel reservation system for your convenience.

Hotel reservations are available, usually at a discount,
  in the following nearby communities:

  • Charlottesville - I-64 exits 118, 120 and 121
     (at the US-29 freeway; about 18 miles east of the Skyline Drive)

  • Culpeper - US-29 freeway at US-522
     (about 30 miles east of the Skyline Drive)

  • Front Royal - I-66 exit 6; northern terminus of Skyline Drive

  • Harrisonburg - I-81 exits 243, 245, 247 and 251

  • Luray - on US-211 (14 miles east of I-81 exit 264 -
     9 miles east of Skyline Drive)

  • Manassas - I-66 exits 43 and 47

  • Staunton - I-81 exits 220, 222, 225 and 227
     (where I-64 east splits from I-81)

  • Warrenton - 12 miles south of I-66 exit 28;
     on US-17 freeway at US-211

  • Waynesboro - on I-64 where the Blue Ridge Pkwy
     and Skyline Drive meet

  • Winchester - the western beltway (VA-37) runs from I-81 exit 310
     to exit 317. Exits from I-81 to downtown are 313 and 315.

Chart of Leaf Colors

The U.S. Forest service has a special, toll-free, number for leaf-lookers.
Phone for peak dates and other information: 1-800-354-4595

Need Help making a Reservation?
call us toll-free at 1-888-254-0637
for discounted rates, use promo code 3309
(International callers use 01-210-507-5997)

NOTE: The above are not advertisements but are descriptions
by contributors and our editorial staff for which we, alone, are
responsible. If any corrections are in order we would appreciate
your input: please e-mail us at editor@wheatley.lib.nc.us

Index to Attractions in U.S.A.
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