Western North Carolina Fall Road Trip

When the ephemeral magic of fall — crisp, cool air; cinnamon, apple, and pumpkin flavors; and a stunning array of red, orange, and yellow leaves — arrives in the South, there’s one destination that stands out above all others: Western North Carolina. 

“In Western North Carolina, we are very fortunate to have a suitable climate that supports a large diversity of trees and a substantial elevation gradient provided by the mountains that, together, usually give us a very good fall color show,” says Darby Harris, Ph.D., associate instructor of biology at Western Carolina University. With no shortage of hiking trails, overlooks, and quaint mountain towns — all within driving distance of one another — plus more than a handful of access points to the Blue Ridge Parkway, it’s also the perfect place to embark on a road trip. “I start in the northern areas near the towns of Boone and Blowing Rock in early October and work my way south during the following weeks toward Asheville, Waynesville, and finally Sylva and Cherokee by the end of the month,” he says. 

Though there aren’t any hard-and-fast rules for planning a road trip — that’s the beauty of this type of travel — there are a few best practices to keep in mind when heading to the mountains of North Carolina. Matt Bare, founder of The Glamping Collective outside Asheville, tells Travel + Leisure that it’s important to book early and consider weekends: “Peak fall dates fill so quickly, you’ll want to book as early as possible to get the best selection of accommodations.” Doing some initial research on points of interest and activities along the way will also be helpful. “To me, the joy of being in the mountains in the fall comes from veering off the beaten path. The popular hiking spots will always be crowded, so don’t be afraid to explore the less-known trails and parks,” says Daniel Fletcher, co-owner of Outland Hospitality in Cashiers. 

Once you have a general idea of when and where you’re going, you can embrace a more flexible mindset. According to Lynda Doucette, a retired national park ranger and the expert in residence at The Swag, it’s important to take your time: “Don’t be in a rush; instead, plan for a leisurely experience.” 

While there are a number of amazing places to see on an autumn road trip through Western North Carolina, we put together some of the region’s highlights — including things to do, places to stay, and where to find the best fall foliage. 

Related: 10 Best Places to See Fall Foliage in North Carolina

Asheville

Asheville is one of the easiest places to begin your fall foliage journey. With an airport served by several major airlines, a lineup of incredible boutique hotels, and easy access to the Blue Ridge Parkway, the city is both a destination to discover and a jumping-off point for the rest of the trip. “To experience fall in Asheville is to experience fall at its absolute best,” says Bare. “It’s hiking with the most vibrant colors spread across mountaintops followed by crisp air with the best beer around a campfire with new friends and retiring to [a] hot tub to soak the day away.”

Things to Do

“This is the best time of year to hit the most scenic hiking trails the Southeast has to offer,” says Bare — and there are a variety of trails in and around Asheville, ranging from easy, family-friendly hikes to more challenging treks. The Biltmore Estate Trails, Lookout Mountain Trail, and the Hard Times Loop Trail are all relatively close to the downtown area, and Bare recommends ending your workout with a brewery lunch; Burial Beer Co., Thirsty Monk, and Wicked Weed are all great options. 

Where to Stay

The Glamping Collective’s picturesque mountaintop retreat is located in nearby Clyde. Its domes and glass cabins provide privacy, a comfortable sleep, and some pretty incredible views of the mountains and the changing leaves. If you’d rather stay in Asheville proper, you can’t go wrong with boutique properties like Blind Tiger Asheville, The Radical, or Zelda Dearest.

Waynesville

If you’ve decided to go west on your road trip, Waynesville should be your next stop. “Fall in Waynesville is one of the most beautiful times to be here. Depending on the elevation, the days are usually warm to enjoy outdoor activities while the evenings offer a crisp chill in the air as the sun sets,” says Doucette. The elevation also plays a critical role in how and when you’ll see the best fall colors. “You’ll want to time your leaf peeping in and around Waynesville based on elevation. Later in the season, lower elevations are much more scenic as the leaves will drop from the trees at the highest elevations early in the season,” she explains. 

Things to Do

Hiking is, unsurprisingly, one of the top fall activities in Waynesville, and Doucette says you can expect to see wildflowers and beautiful creeks reflecting the autumn colors along the way. If you’re hoping to start with something on the easier side, she recommends a stroll around Lake Junaluska, where “the surrounding mountains offer a beautiful landscape to enjoy as you walk the path around the lake.” For a more moderate hike, Bare suggests Waterrock Knob, which is a convenient addition to a drive along the Blue Ridge Parkway. While you’re on the parkway, put Heintooga Ridge Road and Balsam Mountain Road into your GPS. Doucette says these narrow roads “make a beautiful fall drive through the woods.”

Outside of hikes and scenic drives, Waynesville has several festivals and cultural activities to celebrate the season. To experience what Doucette calls a celebration of “all things apple,” plan to be in town on Saturday, Oct. 19 for the Apple Harvest Festival. If your travel dates don’t align with the festival, you can always get your apple fix — think apple donuts, fritters, and cider — at Barber Orchards Fruit Stand.

Where to Stay

The Swag, one of the best all-inclusive resorts in the South, is definitively the best place to stay in Waynesville, but fall dates tend to book out a year in advance. You can always call the property to see if there are any last-minute cancellations, but you may have more luck at Andon-Reid Inn Bed and Breakfast, Yellow House, or Boyd Mountain Log Cabins.

Sylva

Sylva is a leaf peeper’s dream; Harris notes the small town is “surrounded by some significant mountain ranges with peaks at 5,000 to 6,000 feet,” giving way to a “fall color show that can last four to six weeks every year.” A little over 20 minutes from Waynesville, Sylva is filled with delightful sights and autumnal activities to complement your road trip. 

Things to Do

“The towns of Sylva and nearby Dillsboro have a thriving restaurant and brewery scene and an eclectic mix of retail shops,” says Harris. The lineup in Sylva includes Blue Ridge Bootleg Coffee, White Moon, Balsam Falls Brewing Co. Dalaya, and City Lights Bookstore. If you’re hoping for more adventurous activities, the town also delivers. “The area around Sylva has excellent roads and trails for road biking or mountain biking, especially in the area of Western Carolina University, just south of town,” he adds. 

For more fall foliage sightings, visit the hiking trails at Pinnacle Park or hop back on the parkway. “A significant section of the Blue Ridge Parkway is only a 15-minute drive from downtown Sylva,” says Harris, who recommends checking out the foliage at Richland Balsam and Devil’s Courthouse.

Where to Stay

You can either spend just the day in Sylva — opting to continue on to either Cashiers or Bryson City and Great Smoky Mountains National Park — or rest up at the recently renovated and redesigned Hotel Sylva. The dog-friendly boutique hotel has 35 guest rooms and is conveniently located on Main Street.

Cashiers

Depending on which route you take, it’s about a 40- to 50-minute drive from Sylva to Cashiers, a town that Fletcher describes as a “very relaxed, down-to-earth kind of place” and one where it’s “really easy to immerse yourself in the fall season.” Here, he says, “Nature is endless… and easily accessible; there are great restaurants and warm fireplaces to cozy up by, and the people will always make you feel at home.”

Things to Do

You’ll want to give yourself a minimum of two days to experience the restful nature of Cashiers and take advantage of its unparalleled access to the great outdoors. “A casual stroll through the Village walking trail is great with kids and dogs and will give you all the fall vibes without working too hard,” says Fletcher. Travelers who are hoping to push themselves a little more will appreciate Yellow Mountain Fire Tower, where Fletcher says you’ll discover “one of the most breathtaking views in the region.” Rainbow Falls in Gorges State Park is another one of his favorites and a hike that is “relatively easy to get to and packs a serious punch.”

When you’re not out hiking or snapping photos of the fall foliage, feel free to post up in Buck’s Coffee Cafe or next to a fireplace in a hotel lounge, drink in hand. 

Where to Stay

Cashiers may have a population of under 1,000, but it bats well above average in the hospitality department. High Hampton Resort, the most luxurious stay in town, was recently voted one of T+L readers’ favorite resorts in the South for 2024. For a more boutique experience, there’s Hotel Cashiers — a retro-chic property with a restaurant, bar, and firepit — or The Wells Hotel, which bills itself as a “mountain boutique bed-and-brewery.”

Staying in the neighboring town of Highlands is also a possibility. Named America’s Best Small Mountain Town in 2023, Highlands is home to Old Edwards Inn & Spa, Half-Mile Farm, Highlander Mountain House, and Outpost Inn, a 14-room hotel that opened its doors this spring. 

Black Mountain

Start your morning early as you drive back up north to Black Mountain and the Asheville area. Time permitting, you may want to stop in Brevard and Hendersonville along the way, the latter of which is called “the apple capital of North Carolina.” 

Things to Do

Once you arrive in Black Mountain, a destination that was known as an artists’ haven in the mid-20th century, the first thing you’ll want to do is explore the downtown area. While the experimental art school, Black Mountain College, closed in 1957, the town’s dedication to art is still evident, as you can see for yourself when popping in and out of the local boutiques and galleries. 

You may also be able to sneak in one or two final fall foliage hikes during your time in Black Mountain. June Bergeron, the innkeeper at Black Mountain Inn, says the fall is absolutely “glorious” in this part of the state, and recommends Blue Ridge Assembly for leaf peeping: “It is a historic YMCA campus set in the mountains… with trails all the way to the top.”

Where to Stay

Mark the end of your Western North Carolina road trip with a memorable stay at Black Mountain Inn, The Monte Vista Hotel, or Peri Social House. Asheville Regional Airport (AVL) is a 30-minute drive from Black Mountain — or you can choose to add a few days onto your journey, visiting the likes of Little Switzerland, Boone, and Banner Elk.