Burke Lake Park!

If you want to do something closer to home, deff check out the Boulder Bridge in Rock Creek Park. Beautiful scenery, and very seldom will you encounter other people.

I spent the long weekend exploring vineyards in north west Maryland, around Frederick/New Market/Mount Airy. And the leaves were absolutely beautiful, and it wasn’t packed. Highly recommend!

What is your definition of "reasonable driving distance"?

I want to be able to do a day trip comfortably. So probably not much more than 2 hrs one way.

Peep those leaves!

Chevy Chase Maryland

Lake Needwood is beautiful right now and is just north of Rockville.

West Virginia. Take 48 from Strasburg, VA to Davis, WV, or go to Seneca Rocks/Spruce Knob.

https://dnr.maryland.gov/publiclands/pages/western/cunningham.aspx

Cunningham Falls State Park. About 75 miles from DC, worth the trip for the scenery and the waterfall. Enjoy!

Is Arboretum not big enough? Mt Vernon parkway south of Alexandria, maybe Fort Hunt? Huntley Meadows?

I've enjoyed the Catoctin Mtns right off the highway in MD lately. Once you're off the highway, the hills obscure the farms and it's all trees.

I feel like every Saturday is crowded there. The trail traffic is phenomenal for something that isn't close to DC and has no commuters.

I second, I was just there. Super easy trail or take the rocky trail for a challenge.

Monticello in Charlottesville, VA. Sits on a hill overlooking valleys and more hills.

what are you some kind of leaf pervert

Well that didn't take long: https://www.washingtonian.com/2022/10/17/9-of-the-best-places-to-see-fall-foliage-around-dc/

We ended up going here. It was great! We did the Cunningham Falls trail that starts in the national park. And the drive was really lovely too. Thanks for the recommendation!

I’m so glad you enjoyed it! Thank you for letting me know.