The varying elevations in Western North Carolina make for an extended and awe-inspiring fall color season. The first hint of color generally begins in late September at elevations over 5,000 feet. Throughout October and into the first week of November, the autumn hues intensify and creep down the mountain slopes and into the gorges.
From late September and continuing throughout the season, fall color reports are updated weekly, along with suggested scenic drives and fall foliage photo tips.
We invite you to share your favorites this fall. Tell us where you found the best color, send a picture of a valley that blew you away, or just recount your special drive in the region.
Leaf Watching
There is no real art to leaf watching. It merely takes an appreciation for nature's beauty. There are, however, a few pieces of advice that can make a trip to the mountains more enjoyable.
- Bring a jacket. Warm temperatures can quickly become chilly at higher elevations.
- Bring along the Asheville Convention & Visitors Bureau's latest fall color report.
- Pack a camera and capture the once-in-a-lifetime, scenic panoramic shot that you long to capture on film.
- Pack a cooler, especially for longer drives along the Blue Ridge Parkway where restaurants are widely spaced and crowded during October.
- Bring a pair of binoculars for spotting wildlife, viewing faraway waterfalls, or closing in on a picturesque cove in the distance.
- Make reservations early if you plan to spend the night. Hotels and bed and breakfasts are already filling up. Advance planning means you won't be left scrambling for a room.
- Get off the beaten path. Buy a map, stop by the Asheville Visitor Center, or ask friends for suggestions of those little-noticed roads.
Outdoor Adventure
Outdoor adventure abounds in the Blue Ridge Mountains during the fall. Consider exploring the fall color via hot-air balloon ride, hiking a trail, or hopping aboard a train. Up-to-date Asheville-area weather information is available from the National Weather Service.
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