Fall for Grant County
Photographed by Meggan Sexton
October has arrived in Grant County, and the mountains are putting on a show.
As the leaves trade their summer greens for fiery reds, brilliant oranges, and golden yellows, there’s no better time to explore the Potomac Highlands—seriously, the West Virginia Fall Foliage Map says mid-October will be the perfect time to leaf peep in Grant County.
But don’t spend all your time looking up at the trees. This fall, there’s plenty of art, mystery, and Appalachian creativity waiting to be discovered, too. So grab your sweater, your camera, and your sense of adventure. It’s time to fall for Grant County.
Leaf Peeping and Luxury Stays
You can’t visit Grant County in October without going leaf peeping.
The Monongahela National Forest is a great place to start, with miles of forested roads and trails winding through a kaleidoscope of autumn color. Head to Spruce Knob for views from the highest point in West Virginia, or venture into Dolly Sods to see its rugged landscapes transformed by the season. Keep an eye out for the Tree of Life wearing its fall colors while you’re there.
The North Fork Mountain Trail offers sweeping views of the Potomac Highlands, while Blackwater Falls State Park provides a picture-perfect backdrop of autumn foliage cascading around one of West Virginia’s most iconic waterfalls.
And when you’ve had your fill of fall adventures, you’ll have plenty of cozy places to come home to. Stay in one of Grant County’s many intimate-yet-luxurious cabins, practically made for sweater weather. After a day of leaf peeping, there’s nothing better than snuggling up somewhere warm with a mug of hot cocoa and watching the mountains turn gold outside your window.
Enjoy the Show
Image Courtesy of Landes Arts Center
Fall foliage isn’t the only thing putting on a show in Grant County this October.
Prepare yourself for secrets, masks, obsession, mystery, and death when West Virginia Theater East presents Edgar Allan Poe’s “The Raven” October 16–25, 2026, at the Landes Arts Center in Petersburg. It’s the perfect kind of spooky for an October evening—especially after spending the day exploring the colorful mountains.
And on October 31, 2026, you can go behind the scenes and meet the artists at South Side Studios during an open studios event. Peek into local artists’ creative spaces, see what they’re working on, and get to know the folks who make Grant County’s arts scene one-of-a-kind.
Every season is a great time to explore the Potomac Highlands, but fall just might be the best. It’s a time to get cozy and creative and recharge—and there’s no better place for it than Grant County.