North Carolina Fall Colors 2024

North Carolina puts on a kaleidoscopic palette of fall colors in October. More than 200 tree species under blue skies promise striking colors and beautiful leaf-peeping memories. Experience the glory of the fall season in North Carolina in a myriad of ways, from the Blue Ridge Parkway in the west to Atlantic Ocean piers in the east.

When do the leaves start to change in North Carolina?

The rich fall display usually starts at the highest elevations in early October, gradually progressing to the lowest elevations by late October or early November. Peak season across North Carolina occurs around mid-October. The highest areas of the Appalachian Mountains, including Grandfather Mountain and Mount Mitchell, at 4,500 ft (1,300 m) and above, are the first to welcome the vibrant fall colors in the first weeks of October. You can drive along the Blue Ridge Parkway or hike in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park to capture the beauty of autumn. At these elevations, red, crimson, and orange colors are seen among mountain and sugar maples; yellow hues are displayed with yellow birch and beech; and a palette of red shades is displayed with red oak, serviceberry, and high-bush blueberry leaves. Fraser fir, red spruce, and Catawba rhododendron provide a green backdrop of evergreen foliage across high-elevation areas. A week or two later, in mid-October, the levels of 2,500–4,500 ft (700–1,300 m) see the change of colors. This is the time to explore places like Pisgah National Forest and Nantahala Gorge. Prominent trees at mid-elevation include tulip poplar and black birch (yellow); hickory species, sourwood, and flowering dogwood (red); and numerous oaks (red, yellow, and scarlet). These colorful deciduous trees are interspersed with a green carpet of evergreen trees such as white pine, pitch pine, and table mountain pine. Late October through early November is the best time for leaf peeping at elevations of 2,000 ft (600 m) and below. Drive to Biltmore Estate in Asheville for fall foliage combined with the colorful blooms in the gardens and grounds of the Estate. Or go for a hike to Chimney Rock, with stunning fall foliage views. At the lowest elevation, the deciduous colors tend to be more dispersed and the fall carpet is composed of many of the mid-elevation species with an addition of the scarlet hues of southern red oak. All this is seasoned with the tans and whites of flowering grasses such as plume grass, little bluestem, and Indian grass.

Best places for to see fall foliage in North Carolina

Leaf season in Asheville

During peak season, Biltmore Estate in Asheville is particularly gorgeous in October. This 8,000-acre estate takes visitors on a fairy tale adventure, allowing them to experience a day in the life of one of the wealthiest families of the late 1800s. The estate has it all: the iconic Biltmore House and Gardens, riding stables, ponds, and a winery. Enjoying fall landscapes combined with wine tastings and tours in the winery included in the Biltmore Ticket creates an unparalleled fall foliage viewing experience.

Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Great Smoky Mountains National Park, on the border of North Carolina and Tennessee, is one of the prime areas for leaf peeping in the state. Take a fall foliage ride with the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad that departs from Bryson City, NC, and follows a historic rail line across river gorges and valleys and then through tunnels carved into the slopes of the majestic mountains.

Blue Ridge Parkway

The Blue Ridge Parkway is one of the most scenic fall foliage drives in the state. The road will take you across the Blue Ridge Mountains with breathtaking vistas reaching 50 mi away on a clear day. The beauty of the Parkway is that it varies in elevation, which ensures one of the longest-running fall color seasons in the world, from early to late October. Off the Parkway, you can find an endless list of scenic places like Graveyard Fields, Wildcat Rock Overlook, and Linn Cove Viaduct.

Chimney Rock State Park

Chimney Rock State Park, Lake Lure, NC, spans over 7,000 ac (2,800 ha) and offers stunning views of fall foliage in late October–early November. The park offers excellent trails, scenic waterfalls, and a postcard view of the famed Chimney Rock. Fall colors at Chimney Rock usually peak in late October to early November.

Pisgah National Forest

The Pisgah National Forest is a land of mile-high peaks, cascading waterfalls, and heavily forested slopes. Covering over 500,000 acres, the Pisgah is primarily a hardwood forest with whitewater rivers, waterfalls, and hundreds of miles of trails. It is particularly stunning during the fall foliage season.

Dupont State Forest

DuPont State Recreational Forest is an outdoor lover's dream, featuring numerous waterfalls and 86 miles of trails on 10,000 protected acres. Located between Brevard and Hendersonville, it's an easy 40-mile drive from Asheville. Most visitors flock to the three-mile roundtrip hike to see Hooker, Triple, and High Falls, but there's much more to explore. You can enjoy various waterfall and lake hikes or trek to the top of Cedar Rock or Stone Mountain for stunning mountain views. It's also one of North Carolina's best spots for mountain biking and horseback riding. DuPont is open every day from 5 am until 10 pm, and admission is free.

Maggie Valley

Maggie Valley, nestled in the western part of North Carolina, is a popular destination for experiencing the beautiful fall foliage of the Appalachian Mountains. A short drive from Maggie Valley takes you to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, renowned for its breathtaking autumn colors. This area is perfect for those looking to enjoy the stunning seasonal changing of the landscape.

Fontana Dam

Fontana Dam is situated in Graham County, North Carolina, near the border with Tennessee. Located in the western part of the state, it lies within the picturesque Great Smoky Mountains region.

Pilot Mountain

Pilot Mountain is situated in the north-central part of North Carolina, near the towns of Pinnacle and Pilot Mountain. It's part of Pilot Mountain State Park and is easily accessible from major cities like Winston-Salem and Greensboro.

Fall Hikes in Raleigh

Fall hikes in Raleigh, N.C., offer stunning views and refreshing outdoor experiences. Popular spots include Lake Johnson Park, Durant Nature Preserve, William B. Umstead State Park, and Hemlock Bluffs Nature Preserve. Each location showcases the area's beautiful fall foliage and provides well-maintained trails for all levels of hikers.