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The brilliant colors of autumn attract visitors each year to experience fall in Western North Carolina. Fall is a special time of year to take in the beauty of the season. Pinpointing the day when the leaves begin to change colors is rarely exact. However the timeframe of fall foliage generally runs from late September through early November.
Cooler fall days give way to the first spots of color in Western North Carolina at higher elevations. According to the U.S. Forest Service, leaves of Sugar Maple and Mountain Maple trees at elevations over 4,500 feet turn red, crimson, and orange. During the peak of fall foliage, the region is awash with the beautiful array of color in full display. Taking it all in is a captivating sight and the more photos for souvenirs the better.
Western North Carolina offers great ways to enjoy the panoramic views of fall foliage in the region. The Smoky Mountains and several other national and state parks in this part of the state are popular destinations to enjoy the season.
The natural beauty of Western North Carolina makes the area an ideal location to see the leaves change colors. The show lasts for several weeks between late September and early November. During the local fall foliage season, visitors will be hard pressed to not find a perfect spot to take in the splendor.
As a state park, Grandfather Mountain is a part of the Blue Ridge Mountains located near Linville, NC. At an elevation of 5,946 feet, this is one of the earliest spots in Western North Carolina to view fall foliage. Typically, by late September through early October, the subtle hints are visible announcing the arrival of fall. Over the next few weeks, Grandfather Mountain reaches peak season often by mid to late October.
Perhaps one of the most popular sites in Western North Carolina to witness fall foliage is the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The park is home to over 100 types of trees. Leaves begin to change colors by late September into early October.
Visitors are treated to stunning colors as the season reaches its peak near Halloween. Reaching the park is a short drive from Cashiers and makes a great day-trip to explore.
A short drive from Asheville, NC sits the vast Pisgah National Forest which is a great location to take in the vivid color display during fall foliage. The area is home to the Linville Gorge with several spots along the hiking trails providing great views of fall colors. The French Broad River drains
By late September it is not uncommon to see hints of the upcoming spectacle the area is known for. Typically, the month of October is a good time to catch the action among the leaves of the Frasier Firs or Red Spruce trees that stand tall in this national forest.
The lush grounds of the Biltmore Estate often start showcasing the annual hues of fall sometime in October. The stately Dogwood and Sourwood trees that stand at the estate give the first signal of the arrival of fall. Visitors will find a variety of trees at the Biltmore waiting to show off their vibrant fall colors. The Sugar Maples and Gum trees are among the trees that take center stage during the season with spectacular colors.The walled gardens and other landscape are also eye-catching in the fall.
Imagine being able to have a 75-mile view in some spots of the rich fall colors. Chimney Rock State Park provides a front row seat to those wanting to see this annual display of beauty.
Resting at a lower elevation than the surrounding area, the leaves change color later in the fall usually by late October through mid-November. Chimney Rock State Park overlooks the 14-mile Hickory Nut Gorge and Lake Lure, a popular vacation destination used as the location for several movies including Last of the Mohicans and Dirty Dancing.
Good luck trying to predict Mother Nature and the precise timeline of the fall foliage season each year. A fall foliage forecast map could help visitors gauge when and where leaves will peak. The map is a good tool to use to make travel plans, but the fall colors forecast is a prediction of when leaves will begin to change colors, not an exact timeline.
As summer fades to fall, the amount of sunlight is gradually reduced and trees have less fuel to produce chlorophyll which helps leaves stay green. During fall foliage, leaves showcase their true colors of sort. The common array of colors ranges from rich red, bright orange and yellow leaves.
Elevation also plays a key role in when leaves typically begin to change color in the fall. Trees high in the mountains begin this process earlier than those at lower elevations. As they all put on an incredible show, leaves will peak in color and then begin the dormant phase with the arrival of winter. Fall foliage is always on a beautiful schedule to dazzle leaf peepers from near and far.
Fall is the time for festivals in North Carolina. Fun fall festivals fill the calendar from September through November. The annual Cashiers Valley Leaf Festival in October attracts many visitors to celebrate the start of fall foliage in the area. The 3-day festival is free to the public and draws visitors from across the southeast region of the country.
Cooler temperatures during autumn months makes this area an ideal location to host a variety of festivals. Other popular fall festivals in the Western North Carolina includes the Asheville Eliada Corn Maze, Cullowhee Valley Fall Festival, Apple Harvest Festival in Waynesville, Maggie Valley Fall Arts & Crafts Show, PumpkinFest in Franklin, Fall Colors Fine Art Show in Highlands, Fall Folk Fest in Sylvia, and the Highlands Food & Wine Festival.
Fall is a busy time of year in North Carolina especially in the Blue Ridge Mountains of The Plateau region, home to Highlands and Cashiers. Travel + Leisure Magazine recently listed Cashiers as one of “The Best Small Towns for a Fall Getaway” especially for families.
And of course, nothing announces the start of the fall season quite like the beautiful display of colors found throughout the sector. Come relax and take in the mountain views of fall when exploring Western North Carolina.
The search for the best spot to admire fall colors often takes visitors to one of the majestic state or national parks in Western North Carolina. Mountain views are plentiful in this part of the state. The proximity to towns like Cashiers and Highlands makes the nearby state and national parks great day trips.
State & National Parks in Western North Carolina include:
October is a good month to view fall foliage in Western North Carolina as the trees in the surrounding national and state parks are usually in full color for several weeks.
A scenic section of the Blue Ridge Parkway traverses Western North Carolina through the Pisgah National Forest, north of Cashiers and Highlands, before ending at the eastern edge of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The parkway is a good way to see a range of autumn colors depending on when traveling through the area.
The grounds of the Biltmore Estate in Asheville are always inviting regardless of the season. Fall is no exception as the trees throughout the 8,000-acre property begin to change color. Activities are planned at the Biltmore from early September through early November to celebrate the fall season in grand fashion.
Western North Carolina is a popular vacation destination, with countless ways to enjoy the natural gems of the region. Spend the day and explore any number of hiking trails, enjoy a leisurely drive along a historic roadway or try out a few adventurous pursuits.
Hiking is quite popular in this area and the vast network of trails test all experience levels. North Carolina ranks in the Top 10 overall for being one of the best hiking states in the country.
The western part of the state holds the 19th spot nationally for hiking. The designations add a bit of star-power to the region known for picturesque trails. Hikers have an estimated 900 miles of trails in Western North Carolina to immerse themselves in nature.
Location means a lot in the region with towns surrounded by mountains at high elevations. During fall foliage a quick trip into town is breathtaking as the leaves transition from green to showcase the rich colors — red, yellow and orange — for the season. The Blue Ridge Parkway is an excellent choice for a scenic drive along with a number of other roadways that meander through The Plateau. The changing landscape simply leaves many in awe each year whether it’s their first time making the trip or an annual journey.
The idea of soaring through the trees may be a bucket list item for some who are looking to take on an adventure. Ziplining is a growing trend in the state as more people want to experience the thrill. Imagine the view from ziplining through the trees.
There is a lot to know about ziplining before suiting up in the harness and connecting to the line. Did you know that many of the ziplines in the state are located in Western North Carolina? Some may zipline for the challenge and accomplishment, while others do it for the sheer fun.
Make plans to spend time this fall in Western North Carolina. Visitors are drawn to the area during a nearly 8-week period to witness one of nature’s prettiest seasons. Timing is still up to Mother Nature, but between late September through early November is a great time to visit the region.
Contact Landmark Vacation Rentals today at (877) 926-1780 or browse our North Carolina vacation rental properties portfolio to select the perfect property to enjoy the colors of fall from any window of a home.
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