Top 10 Spots for Viewing Fall Colors in North Carolina

Blue Ridge Parkway

Both Turchin and Reinhold agree that the Blue Ridge Parkway is the perfect spot to witness the stunning fall hues. “This iconic route is celebrated as one of America’s most picturesque drives, with its highest and most rugged segments found in Haywood County... Every overlook boasts a breathtaking view, so bring a picnic and wander at your leisure,” says Reinhold. Alternatively, consider a half-day journey from Brevard to Grandfather Mountain. “I've been traveling this stretch of the parkway since childhood with my family and am continually amazed by the splendor and colors of nature,” shares Turchin.

Biltmore Estate

As reported by Explore Asheville, the timing for fall colors in the Asheville area in 2024 will mirror previous years. Higher elevations will start to shift in September, with peak colors likely reaching their height in mid-October at around 3,000 feet. While you can enjoy this colorful transformation throughout Asheville, one of the prime spots for views will be Biltmore Estate. Here, sugar maples, red maples, gum trees, and hickory trees display their autumn hues, beautifully enhanced by ferns, Japanese maples, and woody shrubs in the gardens, making it one of Asheville’s most breathtaking scenes.

Little Switzerland

If you're already admiring the fall foliage along the Blue Ridge Parkway, be sure to watch for mile marker 334. Here lies Little Switzerland, a picturesque mountain town offering breathtaking views of the surrounding valleys and distant peaks. The Swiss-themed village can be easily explored in a couple of hours, but consider spending the night at the Switzerland Inn — especially if you're planning to visit during the peak of fall colors. According to Romantic Asheville’s Fall Color Forecast, the height of fall foliage will occur in Little Switzerland during the third week of October.

Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Some national parks dazzle more in the fall than others — and Great Smoky Mountains National Park is undoubtedly one of them. Spanning both North Carolina and Tennessee, the park boasts around 100 species of native trees, predominantly deciduous. Trees at higher elevations — such as yellow birch and mountain maple — begin to transform as early as mid-September, but the most spectacular display occurs when the sugar maple, scarlet oak, and hickories reach their peak in October. As expected, this vibrant show attracts visitors from all over. In October 2023 alone, the park welcomed over 1.7 million visitors.

Hendersonville

For travelers looking to combine leaf peeping with quintessential autumn activities, Hendersonville is the place to be. “Nothing embodies fall more than apples, fresh cider, and warm apple doughnuts. As the southeastern hub for apple production, with orchards at every turn, it's the ideal town for family fun and savoring the season,” notes Turchin. Given its lower elevation of around 2,100 feet, Hendersonville will likely showcase its finest colors until the fourth week of October. For stunning fall vistas, consider a drive to the Jump Off Rock scenic overlook or The Horse Shoe Farm. “Our farm features a variety of cultivated trees and a landscape that opens up to a magnificent view of Mount Pisgah,” Turchin adds.

Cabins at Sandy Mush Bald

As visitors flock to Western North Carolina in October, you might prefer a more secluded fall foliage experience. If so, Reinhold suggests the Cabins at Sandy Mush Bald. “The property functions like a 500-acre private park; you can stay on the mountain in a few rustic off-grid cabins or campsites, and their network of trails through the trees is breathtaking,” he shares. Just remember to pack your hiking boots, warm layers, and necessary supplies. It's a 2.15-mile hike to the cabins, and the weather can be unpredictable during this season.

Grandfather Mountain

“With its towering elevation and panoramic views, Grandfather Mountain has always been one of my childhood favorites,” shares Turchin. Standing close to 6,000 feet high, the mountain makes visitors feel as if they’re on top of the world, and the experience is even more magical when the landscape transforms into vibrant reds, yellows, and oranges. Due to the site's popularity, particularly in October, it’s advisable to reserve timed tickets ahead of time. This ensures access to the park, where you can relish not just the vistas, but also the native wildlife exhibits, hiking trails, and the Mile High Swinging Bridge.

Cataloochee Ranch

Some travelers dive into leaf-peeping season with a relentless “go, go, go” mentality, eager to explore all the top spots and soak in every view. Others, however, prefer to find a stunning vantage point and simply enjoy the scene. If you resonate with the latter, make your way to Cataloochee Ranch, a resort located about a 30-minute drive from downtown Waynesville. “You might feel like you’ve stepped into Montana or Wyoming here, but you’ll be enveloped in Southern hospitality and the striking autumn colors of the Great Smoky Mountains,” notes Reinhold. Spend your days relaxing on your cabin's back porch, gazing at the colorful landscape, or engage in an invigorating hike or activity. “For an enhanced fall foliage experience, try their guided adventure course, featuring 20 obstacles and three zip lines through the forest canopy,” he suggests.

Boone

Autumn's arrival becomes apparent when Dr. Howard Neufeld, a plant eco-physiology professor at Appalachian State University, affectionately known as “Fall Color Guy”, starts releasing his annual reports. This year, he shared with Watuga Online that peak colors in Boone are expected around Oct. 11 to 14: “Nice colors can linger for a week or more, though the peak typically lasts just a few days, depending on the weather.” Boone offers a multitude of spots to witness the changing leaves, with excellent starting points including Howard’s Knob Park, Tweetsie Railroad, and U.S. Highway 421.

Dupont State Forest

While stopping at overlooks can yield breathtaking photos of fall colors, hiking through Dupont State Forest offers a deeper connection to the shifting leaves. “I cherish the intimate experience of autumn in the forest as it engages all the senses. The sunlight filtering through the trees, the vibrant leaves, and the soft whispers of the wind create a perfect ambiance to truly appreciate the season’s change,” shares Turchin. He suggests embarking on the Triple Falls and High Falls Hike, a 2.3-mile round trip that leads you past the stunning waterfalls.