Top spots to see fall colors in North Carolina mountains
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·4 min read
Fall has officially arrived, which means leaf-peeping season is just around the corner.
Although it’s hard to predict exactly when the fall foliage will begin to change in the Carolinas and whether it will be a vibrant or dull season, Appalachian State professor Howard Neufeld, also known as the “Fall Color Guy,” says we’re in store for a good year of colors in the High Country.
Neufeld says trees in the Boone area look healthy and green thanks to the rainfall received this summer, and as long as the temperatures start to go down, we’ll see the colors come out. In fact, Neufeld says colors have already started showing, particularly above elevations of 4,500 feet.
For the most up-to-date predictions, click here to read Neufeld’s fall color reports or follow the professor on Facebook here.
One thing is for sure — the fall colors bring thousands of locals and tourists to the North Carolina mountains each year. Here are several places to visit to see the fall colors, in no particular order:
(Drive times from Charlotte were calculated by Google maps.)
1. Table Rock — Located in the Pisgah National Forest, Table Rock soars 3,950 feet above sea level and overlooks the Linville Gorge. It’s a hike to the summit, but the payoff is huge when you witness the aerial view. Drive time: 2 hours and 45 minutes.
2. Chimney Rock — Spend the day exploring the old-fashioned mountain town then hike to the top of “The Rock” to take in the colors surrounding the famous landmark. Drive time: 2 hours and 10 minutes.
Oct. 26, 2022: Sunlight illuminates fall color and a Blue Ridge Parkway bridge near the Linville Falls Picnic Area, at Milepost 316.5, in this photo taken earlier this week. The drive along the Blue Ridge Parkway from the Linville Falls area to Spruce Pine is nice right now.
Oct. 25, 2022: This photo comes from U.S. 221, along the section of the road that cuts across the flanks of Grandfather Mountain below the Blue Ridge Parkway. Routes into the High Country from lower elevations, such as U.S. 321 between Lenoir and Blowing Rock, N.C. 181 between Morganton and Pineola and U.S. 421 from Wilkesboro to Boone, are offering nice color right now.
Oct. 23, 2022: Finding fall color along an area pond or stream adds the special experience of viewing the vibrant colors reflected in the water, a scene that often looks like a painting. This photo was taken at the Linville River.
Oct. 22, 2022: Some fall color remains near the Linn Cove Viaduct on the Blue Ridge Parkway, as seen in this image taken from U.S. 221 below. Many leaves have fallen at higher elevations, but there are still nice pockets of autumn’s red, yellow and orange hues.
Oct. 19, 2022: Rime ice coats the highest elevations of the NC High Country after a 24-hour stretch of unseasonably cold temperatures. This early-morning view from Linville looks up at Grandfather Mountain’s iconic peaks and Mile High Swinging Bridge.
Oct. 17, 2022: While thunderstorms and hail in the area last night means that some leaves are now on the ground, there is still beautiful color to be found in the NC High Country. Grandfather is past peak and expecting a chilly week ahead due to a cold snap moving in, but the park continues to provide prime locations for viewing vibrant fall foliage. This photo was taken at Woods Walk -- a picnic area with a gentle walking trail, it’s the perfect place for families and those not looking for a rocky trek.
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Oct. 16, 2022: One way to enjoy fall color is via a scenic drive with a kaleidoscope of color overhead or grand views of the surrounding landscape in the distance. Some of the best routes right now are from Blowing Rock to Grandfather Mountain via the Blue Ridge Parkway, NC 105 from Boone to Linville and NC 194 from Valle Crucis to Banner Elk. This image was taken along NC 194 near Valle Crucis.
Oct. 15, 2022: Color cascades down the flanks of Grandfather Mountain, as illustrated in this view of the Grandfather profile. The famous profile can be spotted from NC 105 South while traveling from Boone toward Linville. This photo was taken from the town of Seven Devils.
Oct. 14, 2022: A hiker treks through fall color along the Bridge Trail, the 0.4-mile trail that passes underneath the Mile High Swinging Bridge and connects Black Rock Parking Area and the Top Shop at Grandfather Mountain.
Oct. 13, 2022: This photo shows one of the resident black bears, Carolina, in her scenic home at the Mildred the Bear Animal Habitats at Grandfather Mountain. The trees within the Animal Habitats have developed nice color, as have those along the paved paths in this location of the park. The vantage points from the viewing areas around the bear and elk habitats are especially nice and provide long-range glimpses as the color moves down into lower elevations.
Oct. 11, 2022: Today’s photo is from near Split Rock. This location has experienced a lot of color development the last few days and provides colorful walking paths, scenic picnic spots and long-range fall views from overlooks in the Animal Habitats and near Split Rock.
Oct. 10, 2022: This photo was taken from the Blue Ridge Parkway at Green Hill Road in Blowing Rock.
Oct. 10, 2022: The shadow of the Mile High Swinging Bridge appears on a canvas of fall color at the top of Grandfather Mountain. A long (and continuing span) of sunny days and chilly nights have made the colors progress quickly and the mountainsides beautiful. This is the “peak week” for colors at Grandfather Mountain and surrounding areas.
Oct. 9, 2022: View at Stack Rock Parking Area on the Blue Ridge Parkway in Blowing Rock.
Oct. 9, 2022: This image was taken at Stack Rock Parking Area on the Blue Ridge Parkway in Blowing Rock. Grandfather Mountain's Mile High Swinging Bridge can be seen atop the ridge. This overlook is at 4286 feet in elevation, while the bridge itself is, of course, a mile above sea level.
Oct. 9, 2022: The highest elevations are bursting with color and also offer a vantage point of the vibrant upper slopes of the mountain. This view is looking up at Linville Peak from the Conservation Campus, about halfway up the mountain.
Oct. 8, 2022: As the upper elevations of Grandfather Mountain are nearing peak, there are also vibrant areas of fall color across the park this weekend. Woods Walk Picnic Area, seen here, provides a colorful overhead canopy at this often-quieter spot lower on the mountain.
Oct. 7, 2022: The vantage point from the Mile High Swinging Bridge parking area above the mountain’s famous switchbacks provides a nice look at fall color filling the landscape around Grandfather Mountain. In the foreground, blueberry bushes display their gorgeous, deep-red hue.
Oct. 7, 2022: A view of Buckeye Lake from the Beechmtn.com live cam.
Oct. 7, 2022: This photo was taken at Sims Pond (Milepost 295.9) on the Blue Ridge Parkway.
Oct. 6, 2022: A particularly great spot for seeing fall color right now is outside the Wilson Center for Nature Discovery, looking up at Linville Peak. The sugar maples near the parking area and habitats have turned a mix of orange and red (as illustrated in this photo), and the striped maples on the paths to the habitats are now turning yellow.
Oct. 5, 2022: Nice pockets of fall color are developing at the highest elevations (above 4,000 feet) in the NC High Country, as illustrated by this image from the Rough Ridge area. An extremely popular spot in fall for long-distance views, the trail to Rough Ridge is located at Milepost 302.8 along the Blue Ridge Parkway near Grandfather Mountain.
Oct. 4, 2022: This photo was taken at the top of Grandfather Mountain, near the Top Shop parking area. Typically a showstopper early in the season, the wild blueberries, also known as huckleberries, have turned a beautiful red at higher elevations. Grandfather Mountain and its immediate area are still mostly green with hints that a nice fall season is ahead of us. The weather this week is picture perfect with sunny days and chilly nights, also great ingredients for fall color progression.
3. Grandfather Mountain — There’s nothing quite like taking in the autumn views from a mile-high swinging bridge. You’ll need to purchase tickets in advance to visit. Drive time: 2 hours and 35 minutes.
4. Blowing Rock — Not only are the views stunning, but this mountain town also reeks of fall. From the town square being overrun with pumpkins and mums to the local candle shop creating handmade autumn scents, Blowing Rock is a great place to enjoy peak leaf season. Drive time: 2 hours.
5. Little Switzerland — A picturesque retreat that sits just off the beaten path (or Blue Ridge Parkway, in this case), this small town offers incredible views of Mount Mitchell, Table Rock and Grandfather Mountain, to name just a few sites. There are also gem mines to explore. Drive time: 2 hours and 14 minutes.
6. Uwharrie National Forest — Hike one of the many scenic trails to take in the colorful leaves and crisp air and see where the first documented gold rush took place. You might even run into one of the ghosts from local folklore. Drive time: 1 hour and 20 minutes.
7. Sugar Mountain — Visit the resort and take the ski lift all the way to the top of the mountain for remarkable views of the area below. Drive time: 2 hours and 30 minutes.
Map constructed by Michael Denslow
8. Crowder’s Mountain — Not far from the Charlotte city limits, a trip here will make you feel as if you’re escaping all the hustle and bustle. Climb to the top to see for miles in every direction. On a clear day, you can even see the Queen City’s skyline in the distance. Drive time: 1 hour.
9. Banner Elk — This is a great option for anyone looking to enjoy more than just colorful leaves. The quaint town will not only be blanketed in a kaleidoscope of leaves, but it typically hosts a variety of fall festivals that are sure to keep you entertained. Drive time: 2 hours and 30 minutes.
10. Raffaldini Vineyards and Winery — This may not be your typical fall tourist attraction, but the views of the surrounding mountains and valley from the winery’s deck and expansive patio are spectacular. Plus, why not enjoy the view and a glass of North Carolina wine at the same time? If you’re making the trip, another vineyard with a view worth noting is Dobbins Creek, which is less than 6 miles from Raffaldini. Drive time: 1 hour and 20 minutes.
11. Asheville — This popular eclectic town brings not only beautiful fall scenery to the table but also award-winning food and drink. Take in the views of the Blue Ridge Mountains surrounding the city or spend the day exploring the Biltmore and taking advantage of its leaf-peeping opportunities. Drive time: 2 hours and 15 minutes.
12. Lake Junaluska — If you want to try and avoid some of the crowds that often pack the Blue Ridge Parkway, check out Lake Junaluska in Haywood County near Waynesville. Here you’ll find amazing views around a 3.8-mile trail that surrounds the lake. Drive time: 2 hours and 45 minutes.
13. Beech Mountain — Nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains, Beech Mountain is the highest town in the eastern United States at an elevation of 5,506 feet. Drive time: 2 hours and 50 minutes.
14. Lake Lure — Known for its role in the popular movie “Dirty Dancing,” Lake Lure sits in the heart of Hickory Nut Gorge. Drive time: 2 hours.
15. Maggie Valley — Situated in the Great Smoky Mountains, this is known for stunning views, small-town character and rich mountain history. Drive time: 3 hours.
(Watch below: App State professor talks about fall colors in NC High Country)
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