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The Asheville fall leaf color show featuring the colorful foliage of 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. On a tight budget? Here is a list of free things to do!
NORTH CAROLINA MOUNTAINS FALL LEAF COLOR FORECAST 2010
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. Here is our best guess of the progression of the color show (watch for updated leaf reports).
See Fall photos from 2009 | 2008 | 2007 | 2006
October 3-14: Highest elevations north of Asheville above 5,000 feet show the most color, especially in the Mount Mitchell, Craggy Gardens and Grandfather Mountain areas.
October 11-21: 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 18-27: 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 would be Looking Glass Rock or Cradle of Forestry.
October 24-November 3: The city of Asheville (2,000 feet elevation) shows the brightest colors this week, along with areas around Hendersonville and Brevard. This would be 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 27-November 7: The color show will conclude 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. For a unique view of the fall foliage, take one of the new zipline canopy tours.
TOP FALL EVENTS
Fridays: Drum Circle, downtown Asheville
October 2, 9,16, 2010: Art in the Park, downtown Asheville
October 2-3, 2010: Land of Oz, Beech Mountain
October 9, 2010: Oktoberfest, Asheville
October 9-10, 2010: Carolina Bonsai Expo at NC Arboretum, Asheville
October 14-17, 2010: LEAF Festival, Black Mountain
October 16-17, 2010: Woolly Warm Festival, Banner Elk
October 16-17, 2010: NC Chrysanthemum Society’s Annual Show at NC Arboretum, Asheville
October 21-24, 2010: Craft Fair of the Southern Highlands, Asheville
November 6-7, 2010: Weaverville Art Safari, Weaverville
ASHEVILLE MOUNTAINS LEAF WATCHING TIPS
Here are some tips to help you plan an Asheville escape 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, stay on Sunday through Thursday nights. Saturdays during October are extremely busy at attractions such as Biltmore Estate, and highways and country roads will be more heavily trafficked.
- Drive the Blue Ridge Parkway. With the varying elevations along the 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. 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. 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.
- 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. Speaking of picnics, check out the swanky picnic in an amazing setting at The Swag!
- 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 TRAIN
Each year, the NC Transportation Museum has a train excursion from its museum in Spencer to Biltmore Village. This year, it's October 31, 2010. Read more about the Fall Train Excursion.
FOLIAGE FROM THE RIVER
Rafting offers a unique experience for viewing Great Smoky Mountains 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.
Rafting with Nantahala Outdoor Center on the Nantahala River offers 8 miles in a steep-walled gorge in the Nantahala National Forest. This family-friendly trip features Class I-III rapids and is a great choice for the whole family. The Ocoee River flows through Cherokee National Forest in east Tennessee, stepping up the adventure with Class III-V rapids and bouncy waves. See our Asheville Whitewater Rafting 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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