While the Upstate doesn’t usually see much fall foliage until later in the year, autumn-lovers can strap on their boots, grab a hot PSL, and see the leaves transform into vibrant warm colors just an hour away.
Thanks to a warm 2018 with good levels of rainfall, most of the trees in WNC still have all their leaves and are set to produce fall colors at every elevation.
WNC covers a wide range of elevations, so there is no single “peak week” to view the fall leaves in Asheville. However, there are ideal times to see the fall leaves in all the popular viewing locations. An added bonus? Because of the major biodiversity, WNC has one of the longest seasons for fall foliage in the nation. 🍂
A more accurate guide for where to look + when:
Oct 17 – 25: More color coverage of middle elevations, including most of the Blue Ridge Parkway.
Oct. 24 – Nov. 1: Areas close to town, including The NC Arboretum, Downtown Asheville + Biltmore, will most likely be in full color
The beginning of November: leaf changing progressing into the foothills
Want to make a day out of leafing?
Depending on which route you take will depend on your day’s activities. Pick the week and location that is best for you with tips + recommendations of what to do. Bonus: Making leafing an all-weekend adventure? Check out our 48-hour guide to Asheville here.
🍁Mt. Mitchell |📍2388 N.C. Highway 128, Burnsville
Enjoy the ride up to the highest point east of the Mississippi River by taking the Parkway and N.C. Highway 128. Walk up the ¼-mile paved trail + stay here to admire the view, or be adventurous and hike the 3,600 ft. (5.5 miles) Mount Mitchell Trail. Pro tip: This hike is steep + strenuous. If you don’t want to hike 11 miles, then park one car at the top and one car at the campground.
After you’ve awed at the 360-degree panoramic views, enjoy a picnic (very large picnic area + two group areas), or visit the local restaurant located ½ mile from the park entrance.
🍁Craggy Gardens |📍BRP Milepost 367.7
Only about 20 miles from downtown, spending a few hours up at Craggy will leave the rest of your day open. Take the short 1.5-mile round-trip hike around Craggy Pinnacle Trail, and get panoramic views at the top, you can even see the Asheville Watershed.
After you’ve had your fill of leafing, stick around and enjoy a picnic or travel back down to the city and stop at one of Asheville’s downtown restaurants. Take your pick from our list here.
🍁Pisgah Inn |📍408 Blue Ridge Parkway, Canton
When visiting Pisgah Inn, you’re in a perfect location for leafing, hiking + eating. Choose between hiking up to Mt. Pisgah, Fryingpan Mountain Tower, or various trails around the Inn. Pisgah Inn has its own restaurant that’s ideal for grabbing lunch or dinner, plus a gift shop right next door.
Bonus: Want to learn all the mountains in your view? The Inn has a great guide that pinpoints each mountain while enjoying the colorful scenery.
🍁Blue Ridge Parkway, Folk Art Center |📍382 Blue Ridge Parkway, Asheville
Since driving the scenic route is the most iconic way to enjoy the leaves, make your drive a little more fun by stopping at the Folk Art Center to enjoy some art, and to grab a map. Before you leave you can plan out the perfect route for you and your crew + stop along some of the best overlooks to take photos.
🍁Downtown Asheville |📍Asheville
If adventuring the parkway isn’t for you, wait a little longer and enjoy the color-changing leaves in the city. Drive up to the top of any of our parking decks to get an aweing 360-degree view, or admire the leaves from the city streets. Just make sure to grab a bite before you leave.
Since moving from the beach to the mountains, catching the fall colors has been my absolute favorite pastime.
Sadly, last year’s leaves weren’t as great after Hurricane Irma’s strong winds + rains, let’s just say the trees were pretty bare. But this year’s leaves are the perfect excuse to drive through all the beautiful colors on the way to WNC.
– Jordan
