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Fall Photo Guide

U.S. National Arboretum

Northeast DC, Washington, D.C. · 53 ft

Past peak 40–70%, dropping Typical peak was 9 days ago

Typical peak

Oct 19 – Oct 27

moderate confidence in typical timing.

Best light

Works at both ends of the day

The 446-acre arboretum includes Japanese maples in the Asian Collections. For a wider frame, the Capitol Columns place 22 sandstone columns in an open meadow.

Seasonal model estimate. Timing remains uncertain; check recent reports before traveling. Source: seasonal timing model. Calculated .

Crowds

low

Usually quieter, especially around dawn.

Coordinates

38.9114, -76.9659

Open in Maps

Getting there

Enter off New York Avenue NE or R Street NE, 8am to 5pm, free. Roads run through the grounds, so the far collections are a two-minute drive rather than a hike.

What turns here

  • japanese maple
  • ginkgo
  • black gum
  • sweetgum

Color progression

Typical peak Oct 23

Typical color progression for U.S. National Arboretum. No change from Sep 15 to Oct 2. First color from Oct 2 to Oct 11. Approaching peak from Oct 11 to Oct 19. Peak from Oct 19 to Oct 27. Past peak from Oct 27 to Nov 6. Bare from Nov 6 to Nov 20.

typical peak Nov 1, 2026

U.S. National Arboretum is typically at past peak on Nov 1, 2026.

This season so far

Reported peak

None yet

Seen peak color here? Add a report.

First frost

None yet

No night at or below 32°F since Aug 1.

Last 14 days

66°F / 46°F

Average daily high and low.

Modeled weather for these coordinates from the Open-Meteo historical archive, Aug 1 – Oct 31; not a station record. Reported peak is the median date of approved peak-color reports.

Plan the light

U.S. National Arboretum on October 23, 2026, the center of its typical peak window.

Solar event times for U.S. National Arboretum on October 23, 2026
EventTime
First light (blue hour) Sun 6° below horizon 6:58 AM
Sunrise Rises ESE · 104° 7:25 AM
Morning golden hour ends 37 min of low, warm light 8:02 AM
Solar noon Highest sun, flattest light 12:52 PM
Evening golden hour starts 37 min before sunset 5:42 PM
Sunset Sets WSW · 256° 6:19 PM
Last light (blue hour) Sun 6° below horizon 6:46 PM

Times in America/New York · day length 10h 54m · computed from NOAA solar equations.

Local terrain can hide the sun; allow extra time to reach your viewpoint.

Which way to point the camera

Sun rises ESE, sets WSW.

Aim within 45° of the sun for translucent leaves. Turn your back to it for flat, accurate color.

Shooting conditions

Glassy water, wind blur, and what the cloud will do to your light.

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Recent reports

What people actually saw here. Been recently? Add yours.

Nearby locations

Within 100 miles in a straight line; road distances can be longer.