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The Asheville fall leaf color show in the North Carolina mountains attracts visitors from around the world. With the 5,000-foot elevation change within 50 miles of Asheville, our lush Blue Ridge Mountain range puts on one of the longest-running leaf color displays in the country. After enjoying nature's grand show, head to downtown Asheville to enjoy the many local restaurants and shops.
Make your lodging reservations early, especially for weekend vacation getaways. See the best bed and breakfasts, cabin rentals and hotels in the mountains! Looking for a deal? See our vacation packages and specials.
NORTH CAROLINA MOUNTAINS FALL LEAF COLOR FORECAST 2012
The number one question is: “When is the peak color?” No matter when you plan an autumn visit in October or early November, you can take a short drive on the Blue Ridge Parkway to find the best color. Elevation and weather are the biggest factors in the color show. Leaves begin their color change on the highest peaks and gradually work down to the lowest elevations. An early frost speeds up the show and warm weather prolongs it. Below is our best guess of the progression of the color show:
October 4-12: Highest elevations north of Asheville above 5,000 feet show the most color, especially in the Mount Mitchell, Craggy Gardens, Grandfather Mountain and Rough Ridge areas.
October 10-19: Color will increase in elevations greater than 4,000 feet, including the Mount Pisgah, Black Balsam, Devil's Courthouse, Waterrock Knob and Graveyard Fields, southwest of Asheville on the Blue Ridge Parkway. It will also be peak color in the Highlands area, with plenty of waterfalls to enjoy, and the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
October 15-24: Many of the surrounding mountains around Asheville show plenty of color, especially in the 3,000-4,000 foot elevation range. Take the Parkway north or south from Asheville. A great hike in Pisgah National Forest would be Looking Glass Rock or Cradle of Forestry. North of Asheville, head to Linville Gorge with hikes to the top of Table Rock and Hawksbill Mountain.
October 20-30: The city of Asheville (2,000 feet elevation) shows the brightest colors this week, along with areas around Hendersonville and Brevard. This is the perfect week for a waterfall hike in DuPont State Forest or leisurely walk at the NC Arboretum. This is also the peak leaf color for Biltmore Estate.
October 24-November 5: The color show concludes in the Chimney Rock area (elevation of 1,300 feet). Ride to the top of Chimney Rock or take a boat tour on Lake Lure.
Also see our favorite Scenic Drives, Motorcycle Drives and Pet-Friendly guides.
Fall Photos: 2011 | 2010 | 2009 | 2008 | DuPont Waterfalls | Downtown | Biltmore
TOP FALL 2012 EVENTS
Fridays: Drum Circle, downtown Asheville
September 22: Fall Into the Farm at Carl Sandburg Home
September 28-30: NOC's Guest Appreciation Weekend
September 29-30: Flock to Rock Birding Weekend
All of October: Apple & Pumpkin Orchards & Farms
October 6-7: Land of Oz Weekend
October Saturdays: Asheville Art in the Park
October (dates TBA): Outdoor Concerts at Biltmore
October 13-14: Bonsai Expo, NC Arboretum
October: Spruce Pine Potters Market & Heritage Fest
October 13: Oktoberfest, Asheville
October 13: Church Street Art & Craft Show, Waynesville
October 13-14: East Asheville Art Studio Tour
October 18-21: LEAF Festival, Black Mountain
October 20-21: Woolly Worm Festival, Banner Elk
October 20-21: Chrysanthemum Show, NC Arboretum
October 20: Apple Harvest Festival, Waynesville
October 21: HardLox Jewish Festival, Asheville
October 18-21: Craft Fair of the Southern Highlands
October 26-28: Moogfest, Asheville
October 27-28: Weaverville Art Safari, Weaverville
October 27: Halloweenfest, Brevard
November 1-4: Asheville Cinema Film Festival
November 2-3: Western North Carolina Pottery Festival
November: Asheville Antiques Fair
November 4 & 13: TEDx Asheville
November 10-11: River District Artists Studio Stroll
THANKSGIVING & CHRISTMAS
Looking ahead, see our Thanksgiving Things to Do and Top Holiday Outings.
ASHEVILLE MOUNTAINS VACATION
LEAF WATCHING TIPS
Here are some tips to help you plan an Asheville fall vacation to enjoy the spectacular autumn colors of the North Carolina mountains:
- Make your room reservations early. Many times, weekends are booked at inns and hotels months in advance. But you can also check for last minute cancellations!
- To avoid the biggest crowds and to save more on lodging, stay on Sunday through Thursday nights. Saturdays during October are pretty busy at attractions such as Biltmore Estate, and highways and country roads will be busier.
- With the varying elevations along the Blue Ridge Parkway, this is the quickest way to find the best areas for color. The elevation of the Parkway around the city of Asheville is approximately 2,200 feet, and it rises to 5,000+ feet as you drive north or south. The color show starts a the highest elevations and progress down. When you find a particular area of brilliant foliage, stop to walk along a trial or take a detour on one of the intersecting roads. Be patient and expect slow traffic, especially on Saturdays and Sundays. Parking at overlooks can be difficult. Be patient! See our Blue Ridge Parkway Guide.
- If you encounter fog (low clouds) on the Blue Ridge Parkway, don't despair. The weather can change rapidly. It could be very sunny an hour later. Fog is most frequent in the mornings, and it can create interesting photo opportunities.
- Enhance fall colors by wearing polarized sunglasses.
- Take a picnic or snacks, especially if you are driving the Blue Ridge Parkway. There is only one restaurant along the Parkway near Asheville. To find a restaurant, exit the Parkway near a town. See our Top 20 Picnic Spots.
- Fill up the gas tank before taking a scenic drive out of the city. Gas stations are sparse in remote areas and along the Blue Ridge Parkway.
- Bring a sweater or jacket. While it might be 70 and sunny in Asheville, it may be 20 degrees cooler at the higher elevations. In mid to late October, snow or ice is possible at the higher elevations. See rime ice from October. Road closures and conditions on the Blue Ridge Parkway, along with weather reports, are available by calling the Parkway information line at (828) 298-0398.
- Take your camera. The warm light of the early morning or late afternoon can create especially dramatic images.
- Bring binoculars for bird watching to bringing a distant picturesque view a bit closer.
- For ideas on outings to combine with your leaf watching, see our 20 Romantic Outings.
FOLIAGE FROM THE RIVER
Rafting offers a unique experience for viewing mountain fall foliage. Immerse yourself in the changing warmth of fall color, from deep within river gorges that flow through national forests. These national treasures offer miles of uninterrupted views of nature in colorful transition. See our Asheville Whitewater Rafting Guide.
FOLIAGE FROM ZIP LINE CANOPY TOURS
Ride zip lines through and above the beautiful fall colors in the Great Smoky Mountains! See our Zip Line Canopy Tours Guide.
Graveyard Fields on the Blue Ridge Parkway
THE SCIENCE BEHIND THE LEAF COLOR CHANGE
Provided by Nantahala Outdoor Center
Our bioregion in the North Carolina mountains is scientifically known as a ‘temperate broadleaf mixed’ forest. This is one of the most diverse ecosystems on earth. When enjoying the seasonal spectacle known as fall color, you can thank the deciduous trees—those with green leaves—as opposed to ‘evergreens’ or conifers with green needles that tend to stay on the tree year-round. In these deciduous trees’ leaves, a pigment called chlorophyll acts as the food factory for the tree, capturing the sun’s rays and converting them into vital nutrients into stored energy. When days become shorter and nights longer and cooler, the leaves begin to rein in food production, in attempt to shut down all but the most vital survival functions for the coming winter. Chlorophyll production halts, allowing the ‘real’ color pigments in the leaves to show through their waxy surfaces. In a typical southern hardwood forest, you can expect to see the following colors from the trees that make up this ecosystem:
- Dogwood: red
- Sweetgum: red to purple
- Red Maple: red to orange
- Oaks: red to brown
- Poplars: yellow
- Birches: yellow
- Mountain Ash: yellow
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