Best Time To Visit the Smoky Mountains For Fall Colors 2025

With elevations ranging from just under 900 feet to over 6,600 feet, the Smokies experience a gradual fall color change which begins at the higher elevations in late September and sweeps down to the lower elevation valleys in early November.

This gradual progression of color gives visitors plenty of time to see the incredible display of color found in the smoky mountains each year.

The Great Smoky Mountains offer one of the most spectacular and prolonged fall color displays in the world, thanks to these wide ranges of elevations within the national park. Understanding this downward color progression is key to planning your visit at just the right time.

Here’s a breakdown of the best time to visit the smoky mountains for fall colors at various elevations for 2025:

Late September to Early October: High Elevations (Above 4,000 feet)

• Key locations: Clingmans Dome, Newfound Gap, and Mount LeConte

Mid to Late October: Mid-Elevations (2,500 to 4,000 feet)

• Key locations: Cades Cove, Cataloochee Valley, and Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail

Late October to Early November: Low Elevations (Below 2,500 feet)

• Key locations: Deep Creek, Big Creek, Elkmont, Oconaluftee Visitor Center

Remember, these are just estimates, and different weather related factors can influence the fall colors even just a few weeks prior to them changing.

When visiting, it's best to plan your trip based on the elevation where you want to see the colors at their peak.

If you’re hoping to see vibrant colors from late September to early October, stick to the higher elevations.

For mid to late October, the mid-elevations offer the most dramatic displays, while the lower elevations come into their own toward the end of October and into early November. 

By understanding the typical fall schedule and progression of fall colors in the Smokies, you can time your trip perfectly to see the full splendor of the season!

But even if you miss peak at your desired location, you can still visit a different elevation to see fall colors!

What makes us an authority on Fall Colors in the Smoky Mountains?

We have lived in Western North Carolina and next to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park for nearly 20 years. Our personal experience has allowed us to witness the natural beauty of these mountains. 

We bring expertise, experience, and local insight about fall foliage. We have many years exploring, photographing, and predicting the fall colors each year in the Blue Ridge and Great Smoky Mountains.

In fact, our annual fall color forecast for the Blue Ridge Mountains is one of the most trusted and shared on the internet. Many visitors have used our guides to plan their fall visits successfully.

When it comes to understanding and experiencing fall colors in the Smokies, very few can match our depth of experience.

We’ve spent nearly two decades witnessing the mountains come alive with color, and we’re excited to share our knowledge and passion with you so you can enjoy the beautiful colors as well!

Our Fall Videos from the Great Smoky Mountains

Here are some of our favorite videos that capture fall colors in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park:

Best Places to See Fall Colors in the Smoky Mountains

There are many places to see fall colors in the Great Smoky Mountains, from overlooks to hiking trails. But a few are not only easy to access, but provide exceptional views of the fall colors as well.

Here are our very top picks for the best places to see fall colors in the Smoky Mountains.

Clingmans Dome

As the highest peak in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park (6,643 feet), Clingmans Dome offers one of the most dramatic views of the fall foliage, stretching for miles. "The Dome" is perfect for seeing the early-season colors, as fall starts at the highest elevations.

The views from the parking area alone are exceptional, and from the observation tower on a clear day, even better. For even more breathtaking views, try to visit at sunrise or sunset.

The best time to visit here is early October for peak colors. We strongly recommend arriving early as the parking lot fills up quickly in the fall, and you can easily get stuck in traffic for hours. Trust us, we have.

Newfound Gap

Newfound Gap is the highest road elevation in the Smokies, and the location where the park was dedicated in 1934.

Sitting at an elevation of 5,046 feet, Newfound Gap on Newfound Gap Road provides stunning views across the mountains, making it a fantastic spot to see the gradual change in foliage as it moves from higher elevations down to the valleys. The contrast between the evergreen trees and the vibrant fall colors adds to the beauty of the scene.

The famous Appalachian trail is accessible here as well, providing even more options for seeing and viewing fall colors. Public restrooms are also located here and park rangers are often available to answer questions and provide information.

The best time to visit here is in early to mid-October, when the mid-elevations are at their most colorful.

Be sure to visit the nearby overlooks on Newfound Gap Road as well. They are often less congested than Newfound Gap itself, and offer equal and sometimes better views of the surrounding foliage.

Cades Cove

Cades Cove is a beautiful historic valley surrounded by mountains and full of wildlife. During fall, beautiful yellows, oranges, and reds surround Cades Cove. 

The 11-mile loop road offers many opportunities to stop and take in the vibrant colors, along with the chance to spot wildlife like deer, bears, and wild turkeys.

The best time to visit is mid to late October, when the colors at lower elevations begin to peak.

Cades Cove is THE most popular location in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. As a result, traffic along the loop road is heavy during prime season, and even heavier during the fall. It's worth visiting, but bring your patience and a full tank of gas.

As with other popular locations in the park, we recommend arriving early to avoid the heaviest traffic times.

Cataloochee Valley

If you're looking to escape the crowds, Cataloochee Valley offers a more remote and peaceful fall foliage experience. Mountains covered in rich fall colors surround the valley, and a thriving population of elk adds to the charm of the area. Fall is also rut season (mating season) for the Elk.

The best time to visit is mid to late October for peak fall colors and elk sightings. However, if you desire to see peak rut, you'll want to visit earlier in October. See our Elk guide for more information.

The only way to reach Cataloochee Valley is by using a narrow gravel and back mountain road that is very curvy and narrow in some spots. The road can be rough depending on the maintenance schedule.

While personally we don't find it too intimidating, many do. It's worth the visit. We just wanted to mention this so you know what to expect. You can see a fall drive video on our YouTube channel.

Oconaluftee Valley

The Oconaluftee Valley, located at the southern entrance to the Smokies and near Cherokee, is known for its cultural heritage and natural beauty. 

The surrounding hills light up with brilliant autumn colors, and the historic farmstead at the Oconaluftee Visitor Center offers a unique and scenic backdrop for leaf peepers. The nearby river and misty mornings add a magical quality to the fall foliage.

There is also a very nice hiking trail here that goes along the river and is dog friendly. The Visitor Center has become a popular hangout for the smoky mountain elk, and they can be seen in the mornings and evenings here.

The best time to visit is in Mid to late October for peak foliage at mid to lower elevations. Be sure to visit nearby Mingus Mill for beautiful fall colors combined with the historic and operational mill.

The Chimneys Picnic Area

Located in a dense forest along the Little Pigeon River, trees that turn vibrant shades of orange and gold surround this charming picnic area at the base of the famous Chimney Tops peaks.

This peaceful and family friendly setting combined with rushing water make it a perfect spot for a fall picnic or a leisurely stroll. There are public restrooms here and picnic tables.

The nearby Chimney Tops Trail offers a more challenging hike with beautiful foliage all the way to the top.  Chimney Tops was the starting location for the devastating fire of 2016. The impact of the fires on the mountain sides is evident on the trail and surrounding areas and will be for many years.

The best time to visit is Mid to late October for peak colors in the surrounding forest.

Deep Creek

Found on the North Carolina side of the Smokies near Bryson City, NC, Deep Creek is a quieter, more off-the-beaten-path location in the Smokies, known for summer tubing, colorful fall forests and beautiful waterfalls. 

The easy walking trails along the creek provide a wonderful opportunity to see fall colors reflected in the water, with stunning hues of gold, red, and orange surrounding the area. The trail also provides access to three different waterfalls when walking the loop trail.

The best time to visit is in late October to early November for peak colors in this lower elevation area.

Elkmont / Little River Road

Fall Lodging Options and Travel Tips

Fall in the Great Smoky Mountains is one of the busiest times of year, as visitors flock to witness the stunning transformation of the landscape. Finding the right lodging and planning your trip in advance are key to making the most of your visit.

Whether you prefer staying close to popular destinations like Gatlinburg or Pigeon Forge, or you’re seeking a more secluded retreat, there are plenty of lodging options to suit your needs. 

The areas around the Great Smoky Mountains National Park offer a wide range of accommodations, from rustic mountain cabins to charming bed-and-breakfasts and luxury hotels with beautiful mountain views.

Here are some towns we enjoy staying at and recommend for your fall foliage trip.  We include our favorite places to stay as well.

Gatlinburg, TN

As one of the gateway towns to the Smokies, Gatlinburg offers easy access to many of the park’s most popular attractions, including Roaring Fork Motor Trail, Newfound Gap Road and Clingmans Dome.

The town has a wide variety of lodging options, from cabins and mountain lodges to hotels located right in the heart of downtown Gatlinburg. Gatlinburg is perfect if you want to combine outdoor adventure with access to restaurants, shops, and lots of entertainment.

Recommended stays: Comfort Suites, Margaritaville Resort, and Hampton Inn - The Comfort Suites is our personal favorite!

Pigeon Forge, TN

Just a short drive from the park’s entrance, Pigeon Forge is another popular town that offers a wide variety of accommodations, including large rental cabins, family-friendly hotels, and luxurious resorts. Pigeon Forge also has a bustling entertainment scene, making it ideal for families looking to enjoy Dollywood, dinner theaters, and other attractions after a day of leaf-peeping.

Recommended stays: Riverstone Resort, Dollywood’s DreamMore Resort, and Margaritaville Hotel at the Island

Townsend, TN

Known as the “quiet side of the TN Smokies,” Townsend offers a more peaceful alternative to Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge. It’s a great base for exploring Cades Cove and the western side of the park, and the accommodations here tend to be more secluded. Townsend is perfect for those looking for a more relaxing and nature-focused trip without the hustle and bustle.

Recommended stays: Dancing Bear Lodge, Townsend Riverbreeze Inn, and Highland Manor Inn

Cherokee, NC

On the North Carolina side of the park, Cherokee is the gateway to the southern end of the Smokies, making it ideal for exploring Newfound Gap, the Oconaluftee Visitor Center, and the Blue Ridge Parkway. Cherokee offers a range of lodging options, from casino resorts to riverside cabins, and it’s an excellent spot for those looking to explore both the Smokies and nearby Blue Ridge Parkway.

Recommended stays: Harrah’s Cherokee Casino Resort and Rivers Edge Motel - The casino is our personal favorite place to stay

Lodging and Travel Tips

Here are some of our personal tips for your travels and lodging during your stay to see the fall colors:

• Book Early - Fall is one of the most popular times to visit the Smokies, and accommodations can fill up months in advance, especially for peak weekends in October. If you’re planning to visit during the height of fall, it’s best to book your lodging as early as possible to secure the best options.
• Look for Last-Minute Deals - If you’re visiting during the tail end of fall in late October or early November, you may find last-minute deals on lodging as the crowds thin out. 
• Pack for Layered Weather - Fall weather in the Smoky Mountains can be very unpredictable, with temperatures ranging from cool mornings and evenings to warm afternoons. It’s best to dress in layers so you can adjust throughout the day. Bring a waterproof jacket or rain gear, as fall showers and snow are not uncommon.
• Be Prepared for Crowds: If you’re visiting during peak foliage season, especially on weekends, expect heavy traffic on popular roads like Newfound Gap Road, Cades Cove Loop Road, and the Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail. Plan to arrive early to avoid traffic jams and secure parking at popular trailheads and overlooks.
• Bring Snacks and Water: Many of the best scenic drives and hiking trails are remote, so it’s important to bring your own food and drinks, as there are few amenities once you’re in the national park. Pack snacks, water, and a maybe even a picnic to enjoy along the way.
• Arrive Early for Parking: Popular areas like Clingmans Dome, Alum Cave, and Cades Cove can have limited parking, especially during peak foliage season. Arriving early in the morning (before 9 AM) is your best bet for finding parking without the hassle.
• Parking Tag Required: The Great Smoky Mountains National Park now requires a parking tag if you will be parked for over 15 minutes. Failure to display a tag can result in fines. Parking tags can be purchased online or at the Visitor's Centers.
• Leave No Trace: Fall is a busy time in the Smokies, and it’s important to help preserve the beauty of the park by following Leave No Trace principles. Pack out all trash, stay on designated trails, and respect wildlife.
• Use Park Shuttles or Trolleys: If you're staying in Gatlinburg or Pigeon Forge, both towns offer trolley services that connect to the national park, helping to reduce congestion and parking issues. The trolleys are an eco-friendly and stress-free way to get around during busy fall weekends.

Best times to see the Blue Ridge Parkway Fall Colors

Determining the best time to see fall colors on the Blue Ridge Parkway is a bit more complex than it seems. Fall Colors progresses downward in elevation through the month of October.

Peak colors begin at the highest elevations in early October, and progress downwards through the end of October on the Blue Ridge Parkway. Because the elevation of the Blue Ridge Parkway varies so much, the best times to see fall colors will depend on where you are visiting and the elevation of that location.

The timing of peak fall colors on the Blue Ridge Parkway varies by elevation and location. For 2025, based on current data and historical trends that we have, here are the expected peak weeks:

Understand that these dates are just estimates. There is no easy formula for forecasting fall color in the Blue Ridge Mountains, even if you are at the right elevation for the projected peak times.

The Blue Ridge Parkway has slopes facing east and west, with elevation ranging from under 650 feet at James River in Virginia to over 6,000 feet near Mt. Pisgah in North Carolina.

To add to the complexity even more, "peak color" is often subjective. Peak color for one person may differ from others.

If visitors expect to visit one specific location on a specific day in October, they may leave the parkway frustrated when the colors aren't what they expected.

Now, with all of that said, the Parkway is still one of the very best places to see peak fall color. Why?

Well, the parkway having changing elevations allows visitors to drive a longer distance, and experience different elevations and see some sections that are at or near peak. If you visit the planned destination and don't find peak color, drive a few miles down the parkway to a higher elevation, and you'll likely see them. There are several top spots for seeing fall color on the Parkway.

Our best advice, from years of experience driving the Blue Ridge Parkway to see the peak fall colors, is to target a section of the Blue Ridge Parkway instead of a specific location, and drive the entire section. You'll see more beautiful scenery and views, and increase your likelihood of seeing vivid, peak fall colors.

How will the color be this year?

Draught and temperature conditions in September of each year primarily drive the fall color schedule.

However, with that being said, the forecast by elevation seldom varies for than a few days each year. What varies greatly is the color. Some years deliver very vivid colors, with reds, yellows, oranges and greens. Other years deliver many shades of oranges and yellows only.

We even had one year where a tropical storm blew through and blew nearly all the leaves down. Mother Nature is hard to predict!

To keep you updated on the color progression each year, we publish weekly updates in our Fall Forecast & Guide. You can check there for updates, or sign up for our weekly newsletter to receive weekly updates in your inbox!

When should I visit Blue Ridge Parkway for fall colors?

Again, the best time is in October. Color progression usually begins at Graveyard Fields at MP418.5 and areas above 6,000 feet, then progresses downwards to the lowest elevations in Virginia towards the end of October and into early November.

There is no single best time to visit the Blue Ridge Parkway. There is, however, an optimal time period, where most of the Blue Ridge Parkway will have color and you can easily drive to see that color.

That is from mid-October to the end of October.  

During those 2 weeks in the second half of October, there are always beautiful fall colors to see on the Blue Ridge Parkway, in North Carolina and Virginia.

Where is the best part of the Blue Ridge Parkway in the fall?

Talk about subjective! We've seen some pretty heated disagreements in our Blue Ridge Mountain Life Facebook Group about this. The bottom line is that there really isn't one particular part of the parkway that is the best.

We would say that most people would agree that the areas around Linn Cove Viaduct and Grandfather Mountain are stunning and very popular, as well as areas between Asheville, NC and Cherokee.

But don't limit yourself. There are many other stunning sections of the parkway that are beautiful in the fall.

See our 22 Best Stops for Fall Color on the Blue Ridge Parkway for more great places to visit!

Why does fall color vary year to year?

The science behind the intensity of fall color and time of peak color vary and are complex. The colors observed each year result from environmental factors and the genetic composition of plants.

Graveyard Fields at MP418.5 is a great example of genetic composition. While Graveyard Fields isn't the highest section of the parkway, it's the first to turn color because of the unique plants that grow there. Mainly blueberry bushes which turn a vivid red color each year.

The most desirable fall color for an area develops during autumn's shorter, bright and cool days, with cool nights that don't drop below freezing, and with ideal rainfall. Sufficient rainfall also results in longer leaf retention and enhanced coloration. 

On the flip side, cloudy, wet, and warm weather or extremely low temperatures during early fall can mute the normally vivid color display.

Planning your trip

Some sections of the Blue Ridge Parkway are currently closed due to significant damage from Hurricane Helene.  Be sure to check the Parkway closures page before heading out and planning your trip.

To fully enjoy your fall adventure along the Blue Ridge Parkway, careful planning is a must.

From finding the perfect place to stay and enjoying locally owned restaurants to ensuring your safety on the winding mountain roads and parkway, this section will guide you through everything you need to know for an exciting and memorable trip along the Blue Ridge Parkway during peak fall colors!

Finding the right place to stay is key to a successful fall trip when traveling the Blue Ridge Parkway. Here are some recommendations for towns near the Blue Ridge Parkway:

• Asheville, NC - Asheville is a central hub for exploring the Blue Ridge Parkway in NC. It offers a variety of accommodations, from luxury hotels to cozy bed-and-breakfasts. Consider staying near downtown for easy access to local dining and attractions, or opt for a cabin rental in the surrounding mountains for a more secluded and rustic experience.
• Boone, NC - Boone is an excellent base for exploring the northern sections of the Parkway. The town offers a range of lodging options, fantastic restaurants and lots to see and do, all within easy reach of popular spots like Grandfather Mountain and the Linn Cove Viaduct. Our favorite place to stay when we visit is at the Blue Ridge Tourist Court.
• Blowing Rock, NC: This charming mountain town is a great base for exploring the northern sections of the Parkway. With a range of lodging options, including historic inns and rustic cabins, Blowing Rock provides both convenience and scenic beauty and it's one of our favorite mountain small towns! We love staying at Chetola Resort and Meadowbrook Inn.
• Maggie Valley, NC: Known for its beautiful setting and close proximity to the southern sections of the Parkway. Maggie Valley offers a range of accommodations, from quaint motels to mountain lodges, making it a great spot for both relaxation and exploration.
• Roanoke, VA: Roanoke, known as the "Star City of the South," offers a vibrant mix of arts, culture, and outdoor activities. It's an excellent place to stay for visitors looking to explore the central parts of the Blue Ridge Parkway, with many hotels, restaurants, and things to see and do.
• Sparta, NC: Sparta provides a quieter, more rural experience, ideal for those looking to escape the crowds. With options ranging from country inns to vacation rentals, Sparta offers a peaceful retreat while still being close to the Parkway.
• Waynesboro, VA: Ideal for those exploring the northern end of the Parkway, Waynesboro offers easy access to the Shenandoah National Park and the Skyline Drive. Look for comfortable hotels or vacation rentals with views of the surrounding valleys.
• Waynesville, NC: Located near the southern end of the Parkway, Waynesville offers a mix of small-town charm and proximity to outdoor activities. Choose from rustic cabins, cozy inns, or well-appointed hotels that provide easy access to nearby attractions like the Great Smoky Mountains.

Tips for seeing fall colors on the Blue Ridge Parkway

The Blue Ridge Parkway is a popular destination during the fall, attracting thousands of visitors seeking to witness the breathtaking foliage. We've been travelling the parkway during all seasons, and especially in the fall.  Along the way, we've learned a few tips to make your visit far more enjoyable:

• Visit on Weekdays: Crowds are significantly smaller on weekdays compared to weekends. Planning your visit for a Monday through Thursday can help you avoid the busiest times.
• Early Morning or Late Afternoon Visits: Arriving early in the morning or later in the afternoon not only helps avoid crowds but also offers the best lighting conditions for photography. The soft, golden light (called golden hour) during these times enhances the vibrancy of the fall colors.
• Explore Lesser-Known Areas: While iconic spots like Grandfather Mountain and Mabry Mill are must-sees, consider visiting lesser-known sections of the Parkway. Areas like Waterrock Knob, Apple Orchard Mountain, and Thunder Ridge offer equally stunning views with fewer visitors.
• Plan for Multiple Days: Instead of a single-day visit, consider spreading your trip over several days. This allows you to explore different sections of the Parkway at various times, giving you a better chance to see peak colors without the rush.
• Check Weather and Road Conditions: The weather in the mountains can be unpredictable, with sudden changes in temperature and fog. Before setting out, check the forecast and road conditions. The National Park Service provides regular updates on closures and detours along the Parkway.
• Layered Clothing: Temperatures can vary widely, especially at different elevations. Dressing in layers allows you to adjust to the changing conditions throughout the day.
• Drive Safely: The Parkway’s winding roads and steep grades require careful driving, especially during peak season when traffic can be heavy. Stick to the speed limit, be cautious on curves, and watch for wildlife, particularly at dawn and dusk. To keep traffic moving and as a courtesy to others, please pull over to allow faster moving traffic to safely pass.

Our list is in no particular order and these are some of the very best places to see fall colors in the mountains of North Carolina.

Just pay attention to the peak times that we note on each one. Fall Color begins in early October and progresses down in elevation through October and into early November.  

Higher elevation locations peak early in October, while lower elevations peak later. Be sure to check out full fall foliage forecast and guide for details, and peak times by elevation and location.

Biltmore Estate

Biltmore is beautiful year round, but exceptionally so in the Fall, surrounded by fall colors. The house alone, surrounded by trees and distant mountains sprinkled with fall color, is simply gorgeous. But to see the full splendor of Biltmore in the Fall, and appreciate its true beauty, you'll need to explore the gardens.

The gardens offer many walking and hiking trails, surrounded by beautiful shrubs and trees. The garden area around bass lake is exceptionally gorgeous surrounded by fall color.

The walled garden is constantly being refreshed with seasonal flowers, and during the fall you'll find vibrant orange Mums and purple Salvia that are stunning to see and make for excellent photos.

Of course you the single price of admissions provides a house tour and access to other Biltmore areas such an Antler village and the winery.

These combine to make Biltmore a historic and beautiful place to see fall colors in North Carolina.

Learn more About Biltmore.

Blue Ridge Parkway

One of the very best ways to see stunning fall colors in North Carolina throughout the entire month of October is by traveling along the Blue Ridge Parkway. With colors peaking at various times in October, based on elevation, the parkway is perfect. You can basically find peak fall colors on the Parkway throughout October!

Even better, many portions of the Blue Ridge Parkway offer high elevation and long distance views where you can see stunning long distance views of the mountains covered in brilliant fall colors. 

While the entire parkway is perfect for seeing the fall colors in October, there are several areas along the parkway that are exceptional locations for seeing fall colors.

Learn more in our 22+ Best Stops on the Blue Ridge Parkway for Fall Colors guide.

Great Smoky Mountains National Park

The Great Smoky Mountains National Park annually hosts over 10 million people, and many of those visit during the fall to see the gorgeous fall color display. Some of the top spots to see Fall Colors in the Great Smoky Mountain National Park include:

• Newfound Gap - Highest point along Newfound Gap Road. Provides access to the Appalachian Trail and incredible scenic views of the park.
• Clingmans Dome - The highest peak in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park at 6,643' in elevation.  The parking area provides incredible long distance views of the fall foliage. But for even better views, hike up the steep but short 1/4 mile trail to the Observation tower for very long range and 360 degree views.
• Alum Cave Trail - The quintessential Smoky Mountain hike, this trail offers stunning fall foliage and various terrain. You can do the shorter hike to the old mining cave, or do a much longer, more strenuous hike up to the famous LeConte Lodge.
• Cades Cove - The most visited place in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.  Cades Cove provides a gorgeous loop road to drive on, visitor's center, hiking trails, waterfalls, historic structures, and tons of wildlife.  
• Cataloochee Valley - One our personal favorite places in the Smokies, and home to the re-introduced Elk.  Cataloochee valley delivers exceptional fall scenery, wildlife, hiking trails, and historic structures.
• Big Creek - Another of our favorites, Big Creek is gorgeous year-round, but especially in the fall.   There is a picnic area, camping, hiking, waterfalls, and one of the most popular swimming holes in the entire Blue Ridge Mountains, Midnight Hole.
• Deep Creek - Locate just outside of Bryson City NC, Deep Creek is famous for summer tubing.  But it also delivers exceptional fall colors late in October, along with 3 different waterfalls on a loop hike.  There is also a large picnic area and campground.

Learn more in our Great Smoky Mountains National Park guide.

Max Patch

Max Patch is a remote bald at an elevation of 4,629 feet. The Appalachian trail crosses the bald at the top, and the hike up from the access road is less than a mile and a moderate hike. The reward is gorgeous 360 degree views of the surrounding mountains, including the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.  

During the fall, the foliage surrounding Max Patch is stunning. People have heavily used and abused Max Patch over the last few years, and it has taken a toll. If you decide to visit, please Leave No Trace.  

Learn more about this stunning place in our Max Patch Guide!

Forest Heritage National Scenic Byway - Highway 276

The Forest Heritage Scenic Byway is a gorgeous scenic drive that will take you to various elevations, waterfalls, and scenic points of interest. In the fall, the drive is stunning as it surrounds you with a rainbow of fall colors for nearly the entire journey.

The drive takes you from Waynesville, NC, out and under the Blue Ridge Parkway, then into Pisgah National Forest to Brevard NC. From Brevard you'll head to Cashiers along a section of road surrounded by many waterfalls and then back up to Waynesville.

If you like scenic drives, beautiful fall colors, and waterfalls, this should be on your short list!

Learn more in our Forest Heritage Scenic Byway Guide.

Grandfather Mountain

This well-known and historic mountain brings back memories for many, as they visited Grandfather with their families as children, and now take their children and grandchildren. The mountain is famous for its views, hiking trails, animal habitats, and mostly for the "mile high bridge".

For those wanting to see fall color at Grandfather, the options are endless. There are several overlooks that offer incredible views of the surrounding mountains and valleys, hiking trails to explore full of fall colors, and even the entry drive up to the top of Grandfather is stunning during peak fall season.

Peak leaf season at Grandfather is the first 2 weeks of October.

Learn more in our Grandfather Mountain Guide.

Visit a North Carolina Mountain Town

North Carolina is full of wonderful small mountain towns that are full of things to do. Many have fall celebrations like fall festivals and apple festivals.  

Many are near to some of the best hiking trails and waterfalls in the Blue Ridge Mountains as well. All of this offers a chance to explore these small towns and enjoy the fall colors at the same time.

The various towns are at different elevations as well, offering you a chance to visit multiple towns throughout October, and still experience peak fall colors. For example, Beech Mountain NC is the highest elevation town in North Carolina.

Learn more about the Best mountain towns in North Carolina.

Chimney Rock State Park

Chimney Rock State Park is in Hickory Nut Gorge near the towns of Chimney Rock and Lake Lure. The rocky and step terrain of the gorge really presents an amazing kaleidoscope of colors during the fall peak season. 

 There is no better way to see and experience this incredible display of fall colors than from the high cliffs of Chimney Rock State Park. We have been visiting Chimney Rock State Park for over 30 years, and it delivers some of the best views available in the Blue Ridge Mountains, especially in the fall.

Peak season at Chimney Rock is usually late, because of being at a lower overall elevation compared to much of the Blue Ridge Mountains. You can expect peak colors in and around Chimney Rock State Park in late October and early November.

Learn more about Chimney Rock State Park in our guide.

Mount Mitchell

Mount Mitchell State Park is located off the Blue Ridge Parkway at Milepost 355 and near the wonderful mountain town of Burnsville NC. Mount Mitchell is the tallest mountain on the east coast at 6,684 feet.

Most of the foliage at the top of Mount Mitchell is mainly evergreen fir trees, although there are some trees that change color. What Mount Mitchell delivers is incredible high elevation views of the surrounding mountains at lower elevations, and covered in peak fall foliage in mid to late October.

Since Mount Mitchell is at such a high elevation, you can see peak fall colors there during the first week of October.  

Mount Mitchell offers incredible views, hiking trails, gorgeous evergreen forest, a gift shop, and a restaurant.

Learn more about Burnsville NC and Mount Mitchell

Road to Nowhere

The Road to Nowhere, also known as Lakeshore Drive, is a road from Bryson City, North Carolina in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, that leads to, well, nowhere.

The history behind the road is sad, yet interesting. The road does in fact lead somewhere, just not to its original intended destination, because of politics and funding issues. But it leads to an abandoned tunnel you can walk through.

Lakeshore Drive itself is beautiful, and offers a drive through beautiful forest, and views of nearby Fontana Lake. In the fall, these views are exceptional.

Learn more about the Road to Nowhere in our guide.

DuPont State Forest

DuPont State Forest is located just outside of Brevard NC, and home to many waterfalls, 86 miles of hiking trails, and a lake. That park is extensive, with over 10,000 acres of protected land.

In the fall, this already beautiful state park is especially stunning, with multiple colors of leaves and the smell of crisp fall air.  

The best way to see the fall colors at DuPont State Forest is to hike, and one of our favorite trails is the waterfalls loop trail. This trail will take you to four different beautiful waterfalls and through a dense forest that is just full of brilliant color in the fall.

Learn more in our DuPont State Forest Waterfalls guide.

Fontana Lake

Fontana lake is one of the most beautiful and popular lakes in the Blue Ridge Mountains. The lake was formed by creating Fontana Dam.   

The lake's signature dark green color, surrounded by mountains covered in a kaleidoscope of fall colors, is stunning to see.  

There are many options for seeing the lake and the fall colors at Fontana Lake:

• Visit Fontana Dam
• Hike around the lake on the different hiking trails
• Rent a boat from the Marina
• Go kayaking or canoeing

Learn more about Fontana Lake in our guide.

Lake Junaluska

Another popular and gorgeous mountain lake is Lake Junaluska, just outside of Waynesville, NC. This beautiful lake has many hiking trails, gardens, recreational facilities, and restaurants.

During the fall, the trees and mountains surrounding the lake are covered in an array of red, orange and yellow colors that make this beautiful lake just stunning.   

The lake has some absolutely fantastic photo spots all along the trail that goes around the lake, and at inspiration point, and at the cross that sits above the lake on a hill.

Lake Junaluska is one of our favorite places to visit for fall photos, and peak time is around the 3rd week in October.

Learn more about Lake Junaluska in our guide.

Elk Knob State Park

Elk Knob State Park is located just a short drive from downtown Boone NC. The Park provides several different hiking trails, with the most popular being the Elk Park Summit trail.

The summit trail takes you to the top of Elk Knob at 5,520 feet for amazing long distance views of the surrounding mountains and valleys. During the fall, these mountains covered in an array of fall colors are beautiful.

There are other hiking trails in Elk Knob state park, including easy nature trails that take you through beautiful forest and a campground as well.

Learn more about Elk Knob State Park.

Pisgah National Forest Ranger District

Pisgah National Forest is a vast national forest that comprises over 500,000 acres of dense forest, hiking trails, waterfalls, mountains, streams and rivers.  

Pisgah National Forest is divided into different districts, and the Ranger district is the district around Waynesville, Brevard and Asheville and contains some of the most recognizable locations in the Blue Ridge Mountains, like:

• Looking Glass Falls
• Looking Glass Rock
• Graveyard Fields and Black Balsam
• Cradle of Forestry
• Sliding Rock
• and many more.

While the entire Pisgah National Forest is simply beautiful, we've found the Ranger district to be the one with the most waterfalls and the most gorgeous fall scenes.

Learn more about Pisgah National Forest in our complete guide.

2026 Fall Color Forecast for the Blue Ridge Mountains

One of the most common questions we get asked in our Facebook Group this time of year is: When is the best time to visit to see the fall colors?

Fall color varies from year to year, elevation to elevation, and even by the direction the mountainside is facing. To complicate matters, the intensity of the color is determined by several very complex factors, including the type of plant, the amount of rainfall, and temperatures.

Leaves change color at higher elevations first, and the color change works its way down in elevation.

Here is our current prediction for peak 2026 Fall Foliage for the Blue Ridge Mountains:

September 25 - October 1

At the highest elevations, at and above 6,000 feet, spotty and muted colors will appear. The views from these locations will be mostly green because the areas viewed from here are at lower elevations.  

Areas that turn early in this date and elevation range include primarily Graveyard Fields and Rough Ridge, both located off The Blue Ridge Parkway.

Graveyard Fields is consistently one of the first areas in the entire Blue Ridge Mountains range to show fall colors. Graveyard Fields is also incredibly vibrant because of the type of foliage that grows there. You'll often see lots of vivid reds and oranges during peak.

October 1 - 9

Peak time for elevations from 4,000 - 5,000 feet. This includes the higher sections of the Blue Ridge Parkway and many of the higher-elevation areas of Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

Also included is Linn Cove Viaduct, which is gorgeous in the fall.

October 9 - 16

Peak time for elevations from 4,000 - 5,000 feet. This would include almost all Blue Ridge Parkway locations and most of the higher elevation areas of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park as well.

Also included is Linn Cove Viaduct, which is gorgeous in the Fall.

October 16 - 23

Peak time for elevations from 2,000 - 3,000 feet. This includes the cities and towns of Asheville NC, Brevard NC, Burnsville NC, Hendersonville NC, Saluda NC, the Roanoke VA area, and many others.

Also included are the lower sections of the Blue Ridge Parkway.

Places of interest include DuPont State Forest, Biltmore Estate, and the Russell-Brasstown Scenic Byway.

October 23 - 30

Peak time for elevations from 2,000 feet - 3,000 feet. This would include: The cities of Asheville NC,  Brevard NC, Bryson City NC, Burnsville NC, Cherokee, Hendersonville NC, and many others.  

Places of interest include Dupont State Forest and Biltmore Estate, Russell Brasstown Scenic Byway, and Cades Cove.  

October 30 - November 6

Peak time for the remaining lower elevations, generally below 2,000 feet. This includes Cherokee NC, Bryson City NC, Gatlinburg TN , Pigeon Forge TN, Chimney Rock State Park, Lake Lure NC, Cades Cove, Helen GA, Ellijay GA, Blue Ridge GA, and other remaining lower-elevation areas of North Georgia.

Please remember, these timeframes are estimates based on prior years and current weather and soil conditions. Actual peak times may vary some from this forecast.

More Fall Guides

Here are all of our fall color guides, from scenic drives, to destinations, to waterfalls and more!

What makes us an authority on Fall Colors?

Maybe you're wondering what makes us an authority? Well, we live here, and specifically in Waynesville NC. We've been doing this forecast for 10 years, and we're out in the fall colors each year updating our followers and this guide on color status and taking photos. We have a history of over 15 years of photos to know when various areas change colors.

As Fall 2026 approaches, we'll be out and about taking photos and reporting on current conditions and updating you in real time. If the color season changes, we'll update our forecast and let you know.

We also stay in touch with regional experts to get the latest information on current conditions and fall predictions.  

You'll find our dates and photos to be some of the most accurate available, and we always provide frequent updates WITH photos.

Fall Videos

Here are some of our latest Fall videos from our YouTube channel:

Fall Elk Rut Season

One highlight of Fall for us is Elk Rut Season, where Bulls put on a show, and often battle with other bulls over female Elk and territory. The "show" includes bugling, sparring with other elk, and herding their "harems" or groups of cows.

Elk Rut Season begins in mid-September and ends in mid to late October. See our Elk Guide for all the details, including photos and videos!

Fall Foliage Maps

The following maps will help you determine the best Fall Foliage times for various areas in the Blue Ridge Mountains.

Western North Carolina Fall Foliage Map 2026

The following Fall Color Map is for Western North Carolina, and provided by the Biology Department at Appalachian State University:

Virginia 2026 Fall Foliage Map

The following Virginia Fall Foliage Map is from Virginia Department of Forestry:

Virginia Peak Periods:

• October 10 - 20 (Left Side of Map)
• October 15 - 25 (Center of Map)
• October 20-31 (Right Side of Map)

Tips for Fall Foliage Viewing and Photography:

1. Book reservations early. Hotels, Motels and Bed & Breakfasts will be filling up fast.
2. Be patient. There are lots of people here during the fall, and having a little patience will go a long way to making your visit far more enjoyable.
3. Bring your camera or phone. You never know when the perfect photo opportunity will present itself; be prepared.
4. Be prepared for weather changes. Weather in the Blue Ridge and Smoky Mountains changes quickly, so don't be upset if you can't get any photos because of fog or rain. Just hang out for a bit and be patient. Chances are it will blow by and the sun may even come out. We've found that some of our best photos are just after a storm. Oh, and if you're coming in late October/early November, you might just get some snow too!  
5. Download maps or directions before leaving. Cell service is limited in many areas.
6. Stay on the roads. We see lots of people stuck trying to venture down some narrow mountain road, or trying to drive through grass they think is dry in order to get that "unique" photo. Stay on public, paved or maintained roads regardless of the type of vehicle you drive.”
7. Polarized sun glasses and a polarizing filter for your camera enhance fall colors and reduce glare.
8. Travel on the Parkway. If you are traveling the parkway, read over our Parkway Travel Tips.
9. Wear layers of clothing or bring a few extra jackets or sweaters. Temperatures here in the Blue Ridge can vary based on weather and altitude. Try to avoid cotton for under-layers and use "stay-dry" products with little to no cotton.
10. Mornings and evenings are the best times for photos. Midday sunlight is often too harsh. The benefit of getting out early or very late is that you'll avoid most of the crowd too and get great photos too!
11. Avoid thick clouds and fog in your photographs. If the sky is very cloudy and/or foggy, try to keep the fog and clouds out of your photos. The white of the clouds and fog is overwhelming and will just make your photo look smaller. As an example, see the waterfall photo below. Graveyard fields was completely clouded over that day, so when I framed the picture, I kept the sky out as much as possible.
12. Make sure you have plenty of gas. Some areas, especially on the parkway and in the national parks, are a long way from the nearest gas station.

• Visit Apple Orchards - Apple Orchards in the Blue Ridge make for a fun family adventure, especially in the fall. Activities include hayrides, playing games, picking your own apples, enjoying hot and fresh baked apple products, hot cider, and more! Learn more: Best Apple Orchards in Western North Carolina.
• Go Hiking! Check out our Blue Ridge family favorite hiking trails, and our favorite trails in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. There are tons of other trails too.
• Visit some Waterfalls - Waterfalls and fall colors make a great combination.
• See the Elk - Be sure and visit Cataloochee Valley, which is not only beautiful in the Fall, but full of Elk as well.
• Visit Maggie Valley NC and Waynesville, NC - Next to both the Blue Ridge Parkway and Great Smoky Mountains National Park, it's the perfect mountain small town in Western NC.
• Visit small towns in the Blue Ridge Mountains, they are beautiful and so much fun.
• 25 Best Places to see Fall Colors! - See our guide to the very best places to see gorgeous Fall Colors.

Fall Colors Photo Gallery

Just a few of our favorite Blue Ridge and Smoky Mountain Fall photos we've taken over the years.

1- Crabtree Falls

Currently closed due to the Blue Ridge Parkway closures in this area.

Our personal favorite autumn waterfall, and it shows up on many waterfall "top" lists, is Crabtree Falls off the Blue Ridge Parkway, at MP339.5. Crabtree Falls is a beautiful and dramatic 70 foot cascading waterfall. Many consider Crabtree Falls off the Blue Ridge Parkway, at MP339.5, to be one of the most photogenic waterfalls because of its nearly perfect lighting, heavy water flow, and surrounding foliage.

The surrounding foliage, especially during the fall, coupled with this beautiful waterfall, makes for a magical combination, and some amazing fall photos.

Accessing the waterfall requires a hike, but it's a really nice one.

2 - Soco Falls

Soco Falls is a dual waterfall that cascades 120 feet into the rocky creek below. Soco Falls is visible from a wood observation deck. The trail to the deck is short, but moderate in difficulty. A better view of the falls is from the base, but this is a strenuous decent down a steep bank that requires the use of ropes.

Soco Falls is beautiful during any season, but because of the surrounding foliage, and many rhododendron, it is exceptionally beautiful in the fall. Soco Falls is located just off the Blue Ridge Parkway, near Maggie Valley NC and Cherokee.

3 - Second Falls (Lower Falls) at Graveyard Fields

A very popular and photogenic waterfall is Second Falls (also called Lower Falls), at Graveyard Fields (MP418.5) on the Blue Ridge Parkway. Our favorite fall photograph of this waterfall is shown above, and visitors can capture this same photo roadside from the Blue Ridge Parkway, at around MP418.   

For closer shots, you can park at Graveyard Fields, and hike down to the base of the waterfall. Graveyards Fields is an exceptionally beautiful area during the Fall, and one of the earliest places on the parkway, and in the Blue Ridge Mountains to change colors.

4 - Whitewater Falls

Being the tallest waterfall east of the Rockies, Whitewater falls is a really a sight to see, especially when surrounded by beautiful and brilliant Fall colors.

Whitewater Falls is located near Sapphire NC, and is 411 feet in total length. The waterfall has an easily accessible viewing platform, but for better views, you can walk further down the stairs and decking, and even hike to the base of the falls.

During the Fall, the surrounding foliage beautifully frames the waterfall, and provides for stunning photo opportunities.

5 - Triple Falls in Dupont State Forest 

Triple Falls in Dupont State Forest, near Brevard NC, is an exceptionally pretty waterfall, with 3 separate cascades.  Triple Falls is also featured in the blockbuster movie, The Hunger Games. The falls are 120 foot tall, and easily accessible along the Dupont Waterfalls trail.

The dense foliage surrounds the falls, offers excellent framing, especially during fall. Dupont also features several other waterfalls and hiking trails, making it a wonderful Fall day trip location.

6 - Abrams's Falls, Great Smoky Mountains National Park

One of the most popular waterfalls and hiking trails in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park is Abrams Falls, located along the loop road through Cades Cove..

While not big, Abrams Falls makes up for its size in power, with heavy water flow. The water flow causes a beautiful mist to spray off the falls. The falls, mist, and fall colors make for gorgeous photo compositions.

The hike out is 5 miles round-trip and moderate to strenuous. The hike is really nice, offering a mixture of creek side hiking, scenic views, and scenic points of interest.

7 - Dry Falls

Dry Falls, near Sapphire NC and roadside off Highway 64, is a beautiful and heavy flowing waterfall. Dry Falls is one of the very few Blue Ridge Mountain waterfalls that you can walk behind.

Dry Falls is viewable from the parking area, using an accessible viewing platform. You can also walk down to the Falls, behind it, and past it, to the other side as well.

Dry Falls or beautiful during the Fall because of the surrounding foliage, and heavy and majestic water flows.

8 - Lower Sam Branch Falls

Lower Sam Branch Falls is one of three waterfalls located just off Highway 215 in North Carolina. Lower Sam Branch Falls is exceptionally pretty during fall, because of the way it "catches" the leaves, and surrounds itself in fall colors.

Reaching the Falls requires climbing up a steep, but fairly short ridge, but the walk to the waterfall after this is easy.

9 - Mouse Creek Falls, Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Mouse Creek Falls is located in the Big Creek area of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.  The waterfall is on Big Creek Trail, about 1/4 of a mile past very popular Midnight Hole.  

Mouse Creek Falls is exceptionally pretty and photogenic, especially when surrounded by fall colors and decorated with fall leaves on the rocks. This is really an under-rated waterfall that offers some exceptional compositions.  

To reach the lower portion of the falls, you'll need to scramble down a very steep trail. To get even closer, you'll need to wade through Big Creek, which, depending on flow, can be challenging if not dangerous.

Fortunately, excellent compositions are visible from the top and bottom, without having to cross Big Creek.

10 - Indian Creek Falls, Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Indian Creek Falls is one of 3 waterfalls along the waterfall loop in the Deep Creek area of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Deep Creek is located just outside of Bryson City NC.

Indian Creek Falls is one of our top picks because of being easy to access, but also due to it catching the falling leaves, and decorating itself with fall colors, as you can see above.

Deep Creek is also a beautiful Fall hike, and you get to see two other easy to access waterfalls as well. Visiting Indian Creek Falls is a win all around!

11 - Anna Ruby Falls, Georgia

One of the most, if not the most, popular waterfalls in the Georgia Blue Ridge Mountains, is Anna Ruby Falls. This is true during the fall, when the surrounding foliage and the falls themselves are covered with fall colors.

We put Anna Ruby Falls on our list because of the ability to take a long shot of the Falls, and capture tons of beautiful color, as seen in the photo below, by Kelly Verdeck.

Anna Ruby is two falls in one, with one fall being 153 feet and the other 50 feet. Anna Ruby Falls is in Unicoi State Park, and accessible from a trail. A fee is required to enter, and the trail is 1/2 mile and paved.

1 - Take a drive on the Blue Ridge Parkway

You can also head towards Asheville, which takes you through the Highest Elevation points on the parkway and there are numerous scenic overlooks, that in the Fall that offer up long distance views and a beautiful mix of Fall Colors.

We would recommend driving one morning from Maggie Valley up to the Pisgah Inn, and grabbing lunch there.  Along the way, you'll pass a number of overlooks to stop at, enjoy the views, colors and take photos.

Maggie Valley NC is nearby to the most popular and one of the most beautiful sections of the The Blue Ridge Parkway.   From Maggie Valley you can literally be driving on the Parkway within 10 minutes, and within just a few more minutes, viewing breathtaking scenes.

In the Fall, it's a gorgeous drive all the way from Maggie, up onto the Parkway, and all the way down.

From the Maggie Valley entrance to the Parkway, you can drive to Cherokee.  There are a number of nice overlooks along this stretch, but the altitude and views aren't as tremendous as going towards Asheville.

The great thing about the Parkway is that the elevation varies as you drive along it.  Since Fall foliage colors also vary by elevation, based on when you're there, you're almost guaranteed to see beautiful colors along the way, when you visit during October.

2 - Visit Cataloochee Valley, Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Cataloochee Valley is a remote, off the beaten path, and beautiful area of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.  Cataloochee Valley is famous for its historic structures, and for Elk.

Cataloochee Valley is a wonderful place to visit, but Fall has some added benefits:

• Beautiful Fall Colors - Cataloochee Valley elevation is 2,600 feet, meaning it generally peaks in Mid to late October (October 18-26).  The other reason is Fall Mating season for the Elk, called Rut.
• Rut Season - Running from Mid September to Mid October, male elk (called Bull Elk) make their legendary bugling calls to challenge other bulls and attract female Elk (called Cows). Bull Elk calls may be heard more than a mile away.

Bull Elk use their antlers to  spar with other Bulls, pushing each other back and forth using their antlers, which by this time of the year can be very large.  Most encounters are harmless, with very little physical contact other than the antlers.  During Rut season, the most dominant males gather up more than 20 cows, and breed with them.

We highly recommend visiting Cataloochee Valley during the Fall, both for the colors and to see Rut season.  Fall color at Cataloochee Valley, combined together with the historic buildings, makes for some incredible photo opportunities!

3 - Max Patch

Not far from Maggie Valley, is one of the most beautiful scenic balds in the Blue Ridge Mountains, Max Patch.

Max Patch is a nearly 5,000 foot in elevation, scenic bald that provides 360 degree views.  The famous Appalachian Trail travels right through the peak of the bald, and provides a unique opportunity to hike along this trail.  The top of max patch provides amazing views of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park as well.

Visiting Max Patch during early to mid Fall offers some tremendous views and color.    The peak of Max Patch is accessible via a short but strenuous hike up to the top.   The hike is worth the reward, as the views are stunning.

4 - Big Creek

One of our favorite places to visit and hike in the Fall is Big Creek, in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

Big Creek has a wonderful creekside picnic area, that is very pretty and serene in the Fall.   From the parking lot, you can also hike up Big Creek Trail for access to two different waterfalls, and a stunning Fall walk through the woods, that is full of color and the rushing sounds of Big Creek.

The first waterfall is a popular summer swimming hole call Midnight Hole.   This is a very photogenic waterfall when wrapped in Fall color, and makes for a great place to just sit and enjoy the sounds, smells, and numerous colors.  The second Falls, Mouse Creek Falls is equally gorgeous and much taller.

5 - West Fork of the Pigeon River/Highway 215

Highway 215 winds its way south, from the small town of Bethel up to the Parkway.  This two lane highway follows along the West Fork of the Pigeon River.   Along the way there are numerous pull overs and side roads you can use to access the West Fork.

Highway 215 itself is an absolutely gorgeous drive alone, but then couple that with the beautiful crystal clear creek, it's a real Fall treat.

6 - Black Balsam Knob

Black Balsam Knob is a peak located just off the Blue Ridge Parkway, and about 40 minutes from Maggie Valley NC.  The trail up to Black Balsam Knob offers some incredible 360 degree scenic views of Pisgah National Forest.

There are very few trees here, so the view is unobstructed, and pure mountains.  During the Fall, color can be seen across the Parkway and Pisgah National Forest as far as the eye can see.

7 - Cataloochee Ranch on Horseback

There is nothing quit like a mountain top horseback ride in the Smoky Mountains during the Fall, when colors are at their peak.  Cataloochee Ranch delivers.

Located at the top of Fie Top Road in Maggie Valley, the Ranch is located next to the Cataloochee Ski Area.   The Ranch provides Inn Lodging, Cabins, and Restaurant, along with numerous other activities and amenities, including guided horseback riding.

The Ranch offers a number of times, dates and riding locations from their historic horse Barn.   One of which is a high elevation ride over Hemphill Bald, which provides stunning views, especially in the Fall when colors are peaking.

>> Book your reservations or learn more about Cataloochee Ranch Horseback Riding on their website.

When is the best time to see Fall Colors on the Blue Ridge Parkway?

The best times to see peak colors along the Blue Ridge Parkway vary by elevation.  Color at the highest elevations peaks around the first week in October, and peak at lower elevations is towards the end of October.

Our 2019 Fall Forecast and Color guide provides all the dates for you, including maps, tips, photos, and even weekly updates!  

Top 22 Best Stops on the Blue Ridge Parkway for Fall Color

​​​​​Nearby: Be sure to spend some time in Asheville NC, maybe even a few days if you can.  The artsy city in the mountains is full of amazing one of kind restaurants, historic hotels and Bed & Breakfasts Breweries, and exciting and fun events.  

Biltmore Estate is a must see while in the area, and you'll want to allocate a whole day for it.

Nearby: Also located at this overlook is the trailhead for Skinny Dip Falls.   The waterfall is definitely worth the moderate and short hike down to see it.   During the summer, it's also a very popular swimming hole.

Just after Cowee Mountain Overlook, is Richland Balsam Overlook at MP431.4, also known as "Highest Point on the Parkway".  While the view isn't stunning, it is pretty.  But you'll want stop and get your picture taken here next to the sign to remember your adventure!

Nearby: At Milepost 443.1, is the exit to Waynesville, NC - A wonderful small mountain town with a historic downtown area full or unique local art, restaurants, and shops.   Be sure to stop, fill up your tank, and get some food.   For a real treat, grab lunch or dinner at The Sweet Onion Restaurant.

Nearby: Take a quick excursions to Soco Falls at the Maggie Valley NC exit, MP455.7.  A very beautiful waterfall, just a mile or so off the Parkway.

Also nearby is the wonderful, Cherokee NC full of things to do, access to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, and home to Harrah's Casino.

You'll also want to visit Maggie Valley NC, a wonderful small mountain town with lots to do and see, and also our home base!

Take a drive on The Blue Ridge Parkway

In our opinion, the very best place to see Fall Foliage in The Blue Ridge Mountains is along the Blue Ridge Parkway.   The Parkway provides breathtaking scenic vistas where you can literally see for more than 50 miles on a clear day.

The Parkway also varies in elevation, guaranteeing that if you travel it in October, you will see Fall foliage, and at different colors based on elevation

Check out our Blue Ridge Parkway Guide and also read over our tips for traveling the parkway.  

Take a drive through the Great Smoky Mountains National Park on Highway 441

One of the most stunning and beautiful drives in the Blue Ridge is along highway 441 between Cherokee NC, and Gatlinburg, TN.  

Whether you start from Gatlinburg or Cherokee, Highway 441 will weave and wind its way up to Newfound Gap, at an elevation of 5, 049 feet.   Along the way, you'll pass numerous scenic overlooks that offer wonderful views of the color.  The best time of the year for these views is the last two weeks in October.

While you're traveling, be sure and stop by Newfound Gap and take a walk along the famous Appalachian Trail.

Also, take the time to drive out to Clingmans Dome and hike up to the observation tower, where you will see fall views like you've never seen before.   You might even see a bear are two.  We often do.

Read more about the fall colors in the Great Smoky Mountain National Park on their fall color page.  Learn all about the Park using our Great Smoky Mountains National Park Guide!

Take A Fall Tour on the Blue Ridge Parkway

Experience the breathtaking beauty of the Blue Ridge Parkway through the many Fall Foliage Guided Tours. Fall guided tours offer an exceptional way to experience the stunning beauty of fall on the Blue Ridge Parkway.

Rather than navigating the winding roads yourself, these tours allow you to sit back, relax, and fully immerse yourself in the colorful scenery. Knowledgeable guides enhance your journey, sharing fascinating insights about the region's ecology, history, and culture. They know the best spots for viewing fall colors, often taking visitors to hidden gems missed by most.

Another advantage of fall guided tours is their timing. The peak of fall colors can be elusive, varying each year based on numerous factors including temperature and rainfall. Guided tours, with their expert knowledge of the area, are adept at predicting the best times to witness the color change. This ensures visitors experience the Parkway at its most vibrant.

Here are some of the very best Blue Ridge Parkway Tour available:

Visit Cades Cove in The Great Smoky Mountains National Park

There is something magical about Cades Cove, in The Great Smoky Mountains National Park.   Cades Cove attracts people from all of the world to savor its history, historic buildings, varied wildlife, forests, trails, and mountain vistas.   

Cades Cove offers numerous fall photo opportunities and amazing array of color.   Visit during the last two weeks in October for the brightest an most beautiful colors.

See our Great Smoky Mountains National Park Guide for more information on Cades Cove and other areas of the park.

Visit Biltmore Estate in Asheville, NC

When many people think of Asheville, NC, visions of Biltmore House often come to mind.  

Biltmore House is the "vacation estate" for George Vanderbilt.   Asheville and Biltmore became on of George's obsessions and became more of his permanent home than a vacation estate.  If you've never seen the grand Biltmore Estate, fall is the perfect time to visit.  

The house is simply gorgeous surrounded by vibrant fall colors and the scenic views from Biltmore house are beautiful.  While you're there, stop off at the Biltmore Winery for a sample of some wonderful tasting wines.

More information is available in our Biltmore Guide.  While you're there, make sure you stop by and visit the Grovepark Inn too.

Visit one of the many waterfalls, surrounded by fall color

The Blue Ridge Mountains are full of waterfalls.  Frankly it's hard to do much of anything without coming across one while driving to your destination, or experiencing one while at your destination.   This is particularly true of Western NC, where there are literally thousands of waterfalls, and hundreds in excess of 10 feet.

Waterfalls are beautiful to behold any time of the year, but they are particularly beautiful when surrounded by vivid fall colors.   There is just something magical about the combination of white water falling over rock, mixed in with colorful leaves that have already fallen, and surrounded by trees full of color leaves waiting to fall.

Not sure where to go?  Try one of our favorite NC waterfalls this fall.  All of them are gorgeous and offer amazing fall views.  Looking Glass Falls, Soco Falls and Upper and Lower Falls at Graveyard fields are all particularly beautiful in the Fall.

Ride the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad

The Great Smoky Mountains Railroad (GSMR), located in Bryson City, NC offers a fun and unique way of enjoying the Fall colors of the Blue Ridge Mountains.  

The Best Part?   

The GSMR offers a number of different "excursion" which wind along side rivers, mountains and over bridges.   The GSMR also offers a number of "special" trains like the Peanut's Pumpkin Patch Express, Halloween Dinner Train, and at Christmas, the wonderful Polar Express.

We've ridden the train a few times, and had a wonderful time. The staff there is top-notch and the whole experience is great. While in Bryson City, NC, there is also plenty to do, including visiting Deep Creek, where the fall colors should really provide some excellent photo opportunities.

Read more about The Great Smoky Mountains Railroad and book your reservations on their website.

Go hiking on one of the many trails with scenic views

Frankly, pretty much any trail you take in The Blue Ridge Mountains will offer fantastic views, but there are a few trails that offer exceptional views. These include:

• Black Balsam, off The Blue Ridge Parkway
• Rough Ridge near Grandfather Mountain
• Craggy Gardens, near Asheville
• Alum Bluff Trail to LeConte, in The Great Smoky Mountains National Park
• Any of the trails in Cataloochee Valley or Cades Cove in The Great Smoky Mountains National Park
• Appalachian Trail anywhere in GA, NC or Virginia
• Pisgah National Forest

Read up on our Favorite Hiking Trails in the Blue Ridge or our favorite hiking trails in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, all of which would provide outstanding fall foliage views and scenery.  You can read about all the trails we've visited on our hiking page.

Visit Grandfather Mountain

Grandfather Mountain is one probably the most famous mountains in The Blue Ridge, and definitely the most famous in North Carolina.  Located near the Blue Ridge Parkway, and Linville NC, Grandfather Mountain is also one of the tallest mountains in NC.   Because of it's height, Grandfather is one of the first peaks to begin showing fall colors.

Grandfather mountain is famous for it's "Mile High Bridge", zoo, and numerous trails and camping areas around the mountain.  We've camped there many times as a family.

Read more about Grandfather Mountain.

Drive on Skyline Drive in VA

The Skyline Drive in Virginia is a wonderful place to view the fall colors and enjoy a nice drive through the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia.  

Skyline drive weaves its way through some of the higher elevations of Shenandoah National Park.  It runs 105 miles From Rock Fish Gap, where it joins The Blue Ridge Parkway to Front Royal, VA.  

Driving the full distance of Skyline drive takes about 3 hours, give or take depending on how often you stop at one of the 75 different overlooks.

Peak leaf time for Skyline drive is the last two weeks in October.

Visit Max Patch Mountain

Max Patch, located west of Asheville near Tennessee is one of our favorite family hiking locations, and is a great place to visit and hike during the fall, due to the outstanding high elevation scenic views.  Max Patch offers multiple trails, and the Appalachian Trail runs through as well.   Elevation on the higher trail reaches 4600 feet.

Max Patch is a hidden gem, not often known by most tourists, which makes it less congested and great for taking photos.   Get more information and directions to Max Patch in our Max Patch Guide.

Visit Asheville NC

Asheville, NC, the city the mountains.  Asheville, NC is the largest city in Western NC and the 11th largest in NC.  Asheville serves as the main gateway to Western NC and provides a very diverse and culture rich city life, that is close to many of the most popular destinations in Western NC, including The Blue Ridge Parkway.

Asheville is a great place to stay if you are visiting Western NC for the fall leaf season AND you want to stay in a more modern area with standard city life. Asheville is full of nice hotels, top rated restaurants, and plenty of evening activities such as clubs and bars.  

Asheville, NC is also home to a number of excellent breweries if you enjoy micro-brewed beer.  Asheville is also home to the Biltmore Estate, #4 on this list.

If you are looking for more rustic and "mountain like" accommodations, other smaller towns surrounding Asheville would be better suited.

Learn more about about Asheville, NC

Chimney Rock NC

One of our favorite places to visit in Western NC, is Chimney Rock State Park, located in near Lake Lure NC.

Chimney Rock State Park houses some great trails, beautiful waterfalls, and one of the most gorgeous views in Western NC from atop its famed "chimney rock". We spent many weekends at Chimney rock while we were dating and after we were married.

Fall foliage at Chimney rock are breathtaking, especially along the Hickory Nut Falls Trail to the base of Hickory Nut Falls.

Visit Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge TN

Gatlinburg Tennesee is one of the most famous mountain resort cities in the world. Gatlinburg is an incredibly popular vacation spot because of it bordering The Great Smoky Mountains National Park, and almost serving as a main entrance.  

Many of the most beautiful areas of the National Park are accessible from Gatlinburg and just a few minutes away.  Gatlinburg is a neat town, filled with history, and surrounded by the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains. For fall leaf viewers, it's hard to find a better place to visit.

Visit Charlottesville, VA / Shenandoah National Park

Located just a 22 miles from the intersection of  The Blue Ridge Parkway of NC and the Skyline Drive of VA, Charlottesville is a true a city in the mountains and a popular destination for hikers interested in hiking trails in The Shenandoah National Park.  

Charlottesville is also home to the University of Virigina, and as a result, the city offers a number of nice evening restaurants, bars and clubs.  While in Charlottesville, you can also visit Monticllo, the home of Thomas Jefferson.

Charlottesville is a nice place to visit, and a great place to call "home" while visiting the Shenandoah National Park and Skyline Drive.

For more information on Charlottesville, visit the city's website.  For information on the Shenandoah National Park, visit the National Park website.

Hike at Linville Falls

Linville Falls, located at MP 316.3 on the Blue Ridge Parkway is a gorgeous area for relaxing, hiking, enjoying the scenic views and for mainly seeing breathtaking views of Linville falls.  The Linville Falls area off the parkway has 2 different hiking trails.  An easy trail leading to the upper falls area, and a more difficult area leading to the larger lower falls.

The easy trail also leads to a couple of overlooks that provide some wonderful fall color opportunities in October, as seen in the above photo taken in early fall.   Linville Falls is one of our top NC waterfalls to visit, and makes for an excellent day trip while traveling along the Parkway.

While you're there, make sure you stop by Linville Caverns and visit #20 on our list, Wiseman's View.

Visit Cataloochee Valley in The Great Smoky Mountains National Park

While at #19 on our list, Cataloochee Valley in The Great Smoky Mountains National Park would be at the very top of our list if we were ranking in order of awesomeness.  

Cataloochee Valley is one of the most amazing and beautiful places in the National Park, and offers some incredibly opportunities to see and photography fall colors.   One of the really neat things about Cataloochee, in a addition to the numerous Elk, and the old historic buildings.   These buildings surround by the vivid fall colors of late October should be on your "must see" list.

Cataloochee Valley has a number of hiking trails, historic buildings, waterfalls, creeks and streams.   Read more about Cataloochee Valley in our Cataloochee Valley Guide.

Visit Wiseman’s View in Linville Gorge

Linville Gorge is one of the more amazing and beautiful areas of North Carolina.  Linville Gorge is often called "The Grand Canyon of North Carolina" and rightfully so.  Linville Gorge Wilderness comprises of 11,786 acres.  The Linville river is 1400 feet below the upper ridge, and gorge towers over the river for 12 miles.  Linville Gorge is a popular location for serious hikers, camping and rock climbing.

One of the most popular places to view the gorge is at Wiseman's View, a rock out-cropping overlooking the gorge.  Wiseman's View is accessed via a short and paved trail.  

To get to Wiseman's View, take I-40 to Marion.  Exit onto Highway 221 and go north until 221 intersects with NC 183. Turn right onto NC 183 and continue one mile to NC 105, Kistler Memorial Highway.  Wiseman's View overlook is about four miles down the road, you will see signs.

Read more about Linville Gorge and Wiseman's view on the National Forest page.

Enjoy the view at Clingmans Dome

At 6,644 feet, the Observation tower at Clingmans Dome offers one of the most beautiful and scenic 360 degree views you can get on the east coast, and definitely in the most beautiful in the Blue Ridge Mountains.  

Clingmans Dome is the highest point in the Smoky Mountains and the 3rd highest peak in North Carolina.

Clingmans Dome is located off of Newfound Gap Road (Highway 441), by a 7 mile access road near the Newfound Gap overlook and observation area.  Accessing the Observation tower requires a short, but steep, hike up.   The Appalachian trail comes through the area, and is easily accessible as well.  

This is a popular destination for tourists, so expect large crowds in the fall.

Take a hike at Roan Mountain

Roan Mountain is a majestic mountain located in Roan Mountain State Park and peaks at 6285 feet in elevation.  located in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Tennessee.  The area offers stunning and clear views, due to the elevation and "balds".  Balds are were the tops of the mountains have been cleared off for pasture.   There are a number of trails to hike, and the Appalachian trail crosses through the area as well.

Read more about Roan Mountain, also called Roan Highlands on Wikipedia.

Visit Dupont State Forest

Dupont State Forest is located near Brevard NC and is famous for it's waterfalls and for being featured in the first Hunger Games movie.  

Remember the scene where Katniss is crossing the large creek?  That was filmed at Triple Falls (shown above) in Dupont State Forest.  The main trail is a 3 mile roundtrip hike, and is often full of people during the summer and fall.

Dupont is popular in the Fall due to the beautiful combination of waterfalls and fall colors.  Peak times for fall color at Dupont is the 3rd week in October.   Find out more information on Dupont State Forest on the Friends of Dupont Forest website.

Visit Blue Ridge GA

Blue Ridge, GA is in North West Georgia in Fannin County. Blue Ridge is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the state of Georgia. Blue Ridge is surrounded by the Blue Ridge Mountains, and has Lake Blue Ridge and the Toccoa River. The combination of water and mountains is the cause of it's popularity.

There is also a really nice scenic railroad, called the Blue Ridge Scenic Railway which operates out of the town's historic 100-year-old depot. The downtown area also serves as a host for several seasonal festivals.

Visit Boone and Blowing Rock, NC

One of the most popular tourist destinations in North Carolina is Boone and Blowing Rock.   The areas was also voted as one of the top 10 places to retire in 2012 by US News.  In addition to the areas beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains, Boone and Blowing rock are home to the Tweetsie Railroad, Appalachian State University, and home to the most popular skiing location in North Carolina, Sugar Mountain Ski Resort.

The Blue Ridge Parkway also goes through the area as well.  The Boone and Blowing Rock is a wonderful destination for fall colors, with lots to do and see.

>>> Don't forget to visit our Fall Foliage Forecast and Guide too!  <<<