ASHEVILLE Guide

The fall foliage show in the mountains and foothills surrounding Asheville in western North Carolina brings a kaleidoscope of leaf colors for many weeks. Our Blue Ridge and the Great Smoky Mountains have one of the longest autumn color seasons in the country, thanks to our many 6,000-foot peaks (highest in the eastern USA), deep valleys, and varying microclimates. Experience a 5-week span of color that slowly descends from the tallest ridges down to the lowest valleys. During the past 20 years, we've tracked the foliage peak times and the best places to see. (Feature Photo: Graveyard Fields)

Blue Ridge Parkway & Mountains Fall Color Forecast 2024

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Leaf peepers ask: “When is peak color?” Great news... we have many weeks of autumn color in our mountains and foothills. Since you find the areas of the best color by simply driving the Blue Ridge Parkway or other scenic roads up and down the ridges, you don't have to worry about exact dates. The elevation is the biggest factor for the time of color change. Also, chilly sunny weather speeds up the color change, and warm weather and rain prolong it. See the many details below!

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Our Typical Peak Foliage Color Timeline -Don't focus on exact dates since nobody can predict mother nature.

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• September Last Week: Spotty color begins at 6,000+ feet in the highest mountains plus on high rocky ridges, including Rough Ridge and Graveyard Fields on the Blue Ridge Parkway.

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• October First Week: Colors transform above 5,000 feet elevation, including Mount Mitchell and Grandfather Mountain. Mile-high Beech Mountain is a great place to stay for refreshing temperatures. South on the Parkway, head to Waterrock Knob and Black Balsam areas. Hike & picnic atop both Max Patch and Roan Mountain on the AT.

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• October Second Week: 4,000-5,000 feet elevation. Best colors really pick up steam, including Mount Pisgah and Devil's Courthouse areas south on the Blue Ridge Parkway. The mountains surrounding Waynesville and Cashiers peak, including Whiteside Mountain with the Shadow of the Bear. Also, see the colorful highest ridges of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and drive the Cherohala Skyway. Camp at Lake Santeetlah.

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• October Third Week: 3,000-4,000 feet elevation. The ultimate week for the most color includes large sections of the Blue Ridge Parkway. Check out Little Switzerland off the Parkway, as well as Bakersville and Spruce Pine. This also includes much of Pisgah National Forest near Brevard. Drive the Forest Heritage Scenic Byway. Top hikes there include Looking Glass Rock or Cradle of Forestry. North of Asheville, the best color will be Banner Elk, and hikes to Table Rock and Hawksbill Mountain at Linville Gorge. West of Asheville, head to Maggie Valley, Cherokee, and Bryson City.

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• October Fourth Week: 2,000-3,000 feet elevation. The city of Asheville, French Broad River, and Biltmore show their best color, along with many of our small towns, including Sylva and Saluda. It's a great time for a waterfall hike in DuPont State Forest or a stroll at the NC Arboretum.

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• November First Week: 1,000-2,000 feet elevation. Color fills the lush Hickory Nut Gorge at Chimney Rock. See the fall reflections on Lake Lure. Also, hike and camp at Lake James and South Mountains State Parks east of Asheville. The leaf progression concludes in the foothills around Marion, Rutherfordton, and Tryon Foothills Wine Country.

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Note: Please remember that locations for peak color are estimations based on previous years. Also, areas at the exact same elevation often change at different times, depending on sun exposure, soil conditions, and more.