drkeene Loc: Florida Gulf Coast

October may be prime leaf peeping season. The Washington folks may crowd onto Skyline Drive on weekends with their families. The most trafficked section would be the several miles southward of Front Royal. The further south you go, the more tranquil it should be.

Incidentally, two communities at the southern end of Skyline (or northern end of Blue Ridge Drive) are interesting and photogenic: Abington and Damascus.

Abington has Civil War roots, and is a delightful area to drive around with a camera. Damascus is a waypoint on the Appalachian Trail, and you may see several section hikers getting the last of the season outing. The outfitting stores will also be clearing out this season's clothing and equipment. Look for fairs and fall events on both sides of Skyline and Blue Ridge Drives.

As always, a side trip to Charlottesville and its historic places would be worthwhile. Avoid football weekends.

Please show us some of your photos when you return.

FrumCA

Excellent advice!!

J-SPEIGHT Loc: Akron, Ohio

Theres also the natural bridge down there and Foamhenge.

alliebess Loc: suburban Philadelphia

I drove part of the Skyline Drive a few years ago and loved it - winding two lane highway like the roads I knew growing up in western Md. Scenery was spectacular with lots of places to pull over and enjoy it. Also lots of good hiking trails although at least one was more like climbing a flight of rocky stairs. About wildlife - I was there in early October and saw very little, either hiking or at the rest stops, much to my disappointment. But trip was well worth it and I'd love to go back and spend more time.

JimKing Loc: Salisbury, Maryland USA

What I didn't see mentioned is a warning to photographers. If you walk up to the fence at a visitor's overlook and with a medium or slightly wide angle lens you can get absolutely terrible photos. Remember in landscape photography the foreground is VERY important. If the foreground is not included the wonderful vista your brain saw is recorded as a very flat uninteresting blah photo. Wider angle lens can help but no matter the lens include items close to the camera (tree branch) shrubs and other plants at a medium distance and that wonderful vista can be captured. It is a beautiful drive and the Blue Ridge Parkway is the Southern extension of the same road. Fog can be a problem I stopped at an overlook and listened to a conversation of two men that I couldn't see who were probably ten feet away.

charles tabb Loc: Richmond VA.

My wife & I live in Richmond VA.
We got to the drive often in the Fall.
It's hard to catch the trees in their Fall colors.
We've even called the Ranger Station up there and were told just when to come.
We still always seem to be a week early or a week late when we go up there.
We hope you get many great pictures.

Charles

Twardlow Loc: Arkansas

You'll see plenty of deer; watch it, as they lick salt off the road and often stand in the roadway. Plenty of good nature shots, and hiking. Good restaurant at Skyland (and lodging) and some entertainment. Lots of Ranger walks etc, always good. Big Meadows area is good for deer, has food and camping store.

It's a great park and you will enjoy yourself.

randave2001 Loc: Richmond

I drove part of the Blue Ridge Parkway as well as most of Skyline drive last month. A stop at Mabry Mill for breakfast was a must. Saw deer, ground hogs, rabbits and butterflies by the handful. No bears. It was almost like I had the drive to myself most of the time from sunrise to late afternoon. I plan on going back out in October again and am hoping for some nice fall colors. Although there will be a lot of folks out enjoying the drive, it is soooooo big there is room for them all. Take your time and enjoy the sights. Maybe take a photo or two.

missinglinq

And always be aware that you may first see the objects of your quest...the deer, bears, ground hogs, beavers...right in front of you! They not only little fear of man, they have little fear of cars, and appear to consider the road to be their personal path!

al davis Loc: chesterfield virginia

First off I have to say you will not be disappointed. I will be there the weekend of October 14th. For the past 8 years I have a contract with the State of Virginia for this area.I have shot everything from wild turkey to bears and even a bobcat They are very elusive animals right time, right place and a lot of luck. There are so many overlooks with great scenery it is very easy to get caught up in them and lose track of time. Dark Hollow falls is a very easy hike and the most popular. Get there early I hike this at sunrise.Big meadows is another great place. Early am or at dusk you most likely will get some great shots of wildlife.Go to the visitor center across from big meadows and learn about the history. It is fantastic! The colors at this time should be amazing. A word of advice let someone else drive keep your camera ready the wildlife will show itself. I will never forget in 2010 on a spring trip up there I had a bear and her two cubs cross the road they stopped looked and went on there way. The problem was I was driving and did not have my camera at the ready. I could describe to you many other great photo opps to you. The sunset at big meadows lodge is breath taking. I can't remember the name of the the overlook but it is a small hike behind the lodge. If you would like a few more tips pm me and I will give you some more. Two cameras for sure. One with a wide angle and one with good size zoom. I use my canon 17 to 40L for my wide angle and my sigma 150 to 500 for my zoom. On a clear evening and even a little chilly you might want to think of doing some star trails. There is so much to talk about. A trip that will be well worth it. I am attaching a photo for you of the overlook at big meadows lodge. Before sunset so you get an idea of the beauty.

Attached file:
(Download)

crappiefever Loc: Central Pa

Thanks for the info . Great shot . Really got me fired up now . I always carry a Tokina 12 28 for really wide , a Nikon 18 200 for the in between stuff and walk around and Nikon 200 500 for longer shots . Any other thoughts you may have are greatly appreciated !

cbtsam Loc: Monkton, MD

For waterfalls, there's White Oak Canyon Trail, about one third of the way south from the northernmost part of the park. If you go to the bottom, you can cross the creek at the bottom, and walk back up Red Oak Canyon. At the top, you'll be less than a mile from where you started. Not far away is Skyland, for great scenics, including some views of the Shenandoah River to the west.

JR45 Loc: Montgomery County, TX

Made the trip on a motorcycle in 2001 all the way up the Blue Ridge Parkway and Skyline.
Great scenery, too early for a lot of color, plenty of wildlife, no bears.

insman1132 Loc: Southwest Florida

What camera equipment will you be taking with you?

crappiefever Loc: Central Pa

Wide angle : Nikon D 7100 with Tokina 12 28
Mid and walk around : Nikon D 7000 Nikon 18 200
Long distance : Nikon D 500 Nikon 200 500