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New England may have a reputation for incredible fall foliage, but the South isn’t far behind. North Carolina, in particular, becomes awash with a dynamic color palette of reds, yellows, and oranges every year. The western portion of the state is especially popular for leaf peeping, as the Blue Ridge and Great Smoky Mountains transition away from the greens of summer.
Timing a North Carolina trip to align perfectly with the changing leaves can be a bit challenging, though. “Peak foliage can be hard to plan for unless you have a lot of flexibility, so my recommendation is to always come during early to mid-October,” says Jordan Turchin, steward and owner of The Horse Shoe Farm in Hendersonville. “Even if the leaves aren’t peaking, the weather is usually perfect and fall is in motion enough at that time to embrace the spirit of the season and fill your cup.”
If you can’t quite swing the first two weeks of October, don’t worry: You won’t completely miss the season. “Fall lasts for a while in Appalachia due to its variable elevations. Above 5,000 feet, the leaves will start to change earlier in the season, and in the valleys below 3,000 feet, fall will peak a full month after the surrounding peaks,” explains Steven Reinhold, owner of The Appalachian Adventure Company. Your best bet, he says, is to “adjust your adventures to whichever elevation is peaking while you’re in town.”
That said, there are some destinations that are better for leaf peeping than others. Read on to discover the best places to see fall foliage in North Carolina, according to local experts.
Blue Ridge Parkway
Courtesy of Visit NC
Both Turchin and Reinhold agree that the Blue Ridge Parkway is ideal for checking out the vibrant fall colors. “This go-to road is touted as one of America’s most scenic drives, and the highest and wildest sections of it are located in Haywood County… Essentially every overlook features a world-class view, so pack a picnic and explore at will,” says Reinhold. Or, you could embark on a half-day drive from Brevard to Grandfather Mountain. “I’ve been driving this stretch of the parkway since I was a little boy with my family and am still in awe every year by the majesty and hues of Mother Nature,” says Turchin.
Biltmore Estate
Courtesy of Visit NC
According to Explore Asheville, the 2024 timing of the Asheville area’s fall colors will follow the trajectory of past years. Areas of higher elevation will begin to change in September, and peak color will most likely arrive in mid-October at elevations around 3,000 feet. While you’ll be able to experience this surge in different hues all around Asheville, one of the best places to take in the views will be Biltmore Estate. Here, the sugar maples, red maples, gum trees, and hickory trees show off their autumn colors; they’re also complemented by ferns, Japanese maples, and woody shrubs in the gardens, creating one of Asheville’s most spectacular sights.
Little Switzerland
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If you’re already leaf peeping along the Blue Ridge Parkway, keep a lookout for mile marker 334. This is where you’ll find Little Switzerland, a charming mountain town that provides jaw-dropping views of the area’s valleys and distant ranges. The Swiss-inspired village is easily explored in just a couple of hours, but another option is to stay the night at the Switzerland Inn — and you’ll want to book soon if you plan on visiting during the height of the fall colors. Romantic Asheville’s Fall Color Forecast reports that peak fall foliage will arrive in Little Switzerland during the third week of October.
Great Smoky Mountains National Park
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Some national parks shine a bit brighter in the fall than others — and Great Smoky Mountains National Park is certainly one of them. Located in both North Carolina and Tennessee, the park is home to around 100 species of native trees, most of which are deciduous. The trees at higher elevations — including yellow birch and mountain maple — will begin to change as early as mid-September, but the most impressive display comes when the sugar maple, scarlet oak, and hickories, among other tree types, hit peak transformation in October. As expected, the color show draws travelers from near and wide. In 2023, the park saw over 1.7 million visitors in October alone.
Hendersonville
Todd Bush/Visit Hendersonville
Travelers hoping to pair leaf peeping with other classic autumn activities will find what they want in Hendersonville. “Nothing says fall to me more than apples, fresh cider, and warm apple doughnuts. Since Hendersonville is the southeastern hub for apple growing, with an orchard on every corner, it’s the perfect town to visit for fun with the family and to feel the joy of the season,” says Turchin. Because it’s lower in elevation, around 2,100 feet, Hendersonville will most likely have its best colors on display through the fourth week of October. For some of the most glorious fall scenes, drive to Jump Off Rock scenic overlook — or The Horse Shoe Farm. “We have an array of cultivated tree species on the farm and a varied landscape that opens up into a mega Mount Pisgah view,” Turchin adds.
Cabins at Sandy Mush Bald
Courtesy of Cabins at Sandy Mush Bald
With visitors descending upon Western North Carolina in October, you may want a more remote fall foliage experience. If that’s the case, Reinhold recommends the Cabins at Sandy Mush Bald. “The property operates like a 500-acre private park; you can stay on the mountain in a couple of rustic off-grid cabins or campsites, and their network of trails through the trees is spectacular,” he says. Just be sure to bring your hiking boots, layers, and appropriate supplies. It’s a 2.15-mile hike in to the cabins, and weather can vary this time of year.
Grandfather Mountain
Courtesy of Visit NC
“With its massive elevation and 360-degree view, Grandfather Mountain has always been a childhood favorite of mine,” says Turchin. Reaching nearly 6,000 feet, the mountain allows visitors to feel like they’re standing on top of the world, and the experience is even more wondrous when the reds, yellows, and oranges take over. Given the destination’s popularity, especially in October, it’s recommended to book timed tickets in advance. This will ensure you’re able to get into the park and enjoy not just the views, but the native wildlife exhibits, hiking trails, and the Mile High Swinging Bridge.
Cataloochee Ranch
Brie Williams/Courtesy of Cataloochee Ranch
There are some travelers who like to approach leaf-peeping season with a “go, go, go” attitude. They want to hit all the best places and take in all the best views. Others prefer to find an amazing vantage point and stay put. If you fall into the latter category, head to Cataloochee Ranch, a resort that’s about a 30-minute drive from downtown Waynesville. “You might feel like you’re in Montana or Wyoming here, but you’ll be surrounded by Southern hospitality and the vibrant fall colors of the Great Smoky Mountains,” says Reinhold. Spend your days curled up on the back porch of your cabin, looking out onto the sea of fall colors, or immerse yourself in a hike or other heart-pumping activity. “If you really want to elevate your fall foliage experience, take on their guided adventure course, which has 20 obstacles and three zip lines suspended in the forest canopy,” he says.
Boone
Sean Pavone/Getty Images
You know autumn is on its way when Dr. Howard Neufeld, professor of plant eco-physiology at Appalachian State University — also known as “Fall Color Guy” — begins detailing his annual reports. This year, he told Watuga Online to expect peak colors to hit Boone around Oct. 11 to 14: “Nice colors can stick around for a week or more, although the peak usually comes and goes in just a few days, weather permitting.” There are seemingly endless places to see the changing leaves around Boone, but some good starting points include Howard’s Knob Park, Tweetsie Railroad, and U.S. Highway 421.
Dupont State Forest
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Stopping at overlooks might give you unbelievable photos of fall foliage, but hiking in Dupont State Forest will immerse you in the world of changing leaves. “I love intimately experiencing fall in the forest because it hits all the senses. The rays of light seeping through the trees, the palate of leaves, and the whistling of the wind make for the perfect atmosphere to really feel the season in transition,” says Turchin. He recommends tackling the Triple Falls and High Falls Hike, a 2.3-mile out-and-back trek that takes you by the eponymous waterfalls.
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