Are you hoping to catch peak fall foliage in Asheville and the NC Mountains? As residents, Tom and I know how fickle the weather-dependent leaf season can be. The best time to see fall colors in Asheville starts at the end of September and goes through mid to late-October. Below, see when and where to leaf peep by elevation and location. Plus, hop on the trails for our favorite fall hikes around Western North Carolina – waterfalls included! All photos are our own.
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Best Time To See Fall Foliage Near Asheville By Elevation/Location
While no one can completely predict Mother Nature, visitors can usually catch peak leaf season in Asheville from late September through October. Appalachian State University’s Biology Department in Boone, NC, has a great fall color map by date and area.
Tom and I always think October is the best time to visit Asheville for all of the great fall festivals, terrific Hendersonville apple orchards (apple picking and donuts!), and mild weather.
Last week of September into October: 5,000 to 6,000+ feet
Around the end of September, we recommend the most memorable and colorful Blue Ridge Parkway hikes and waterfalls, including:
- Graveyard Fields and Loop
- Black Balsam, Art Loeb, Sam Knob (closer to October)
- Rough Ridge
If You Prefer Guided Tours:
🐻 Hiking in new places can be intimidating. Even Tom and I have gotten lost in the NC Mountains. If you prefer guided tours, consider this Jeep excursion & waterfall hike. Or, take this scenic driving tour of the Blue Ridge Mountains (it sells out quickly!). Back in Asheville, learn the city’s history on a spooky ghost tour. 🍁
First weeks of October: 4,000 to 5,000+ feet
A few popular places to catch peak fall foliage near Asheville in October:
- Grandfather Mountain
- Max Patch (please remember that camping is on hold at Max Patch)
- Beech Mountain
- Waterrock Knob
- Roan Mountain
- Great Smoky Mountains National Park (along the ridges)
- Craggy Gardens (temporarily closed in 2025 for Helene damage)
- Bearwallow Mountain
- Trombatore Trails
For stunning 360-degree panoramic views:
- Craggy Pinnacle (temporarily closed in 2025 for Helene damage)
- Mount Pisgah
- Mount Mitchell State Park (trails temporarily closed in 2025 for Helene damage)
- Fryingpan Mountain Tower
This time of year, the Pisgah Inn near Mount Pisgah fills up, and the area becomes heavily trafficked. It is also a great time to day trip from Asheville to popular WNC mountain towns like Waynesville, Lake Junaluska, and Cashiers. Discover even more of our favorite local Asheville hiking trails.
Our Top Asheville Fall Itinerary
Hiking Around The Mount Pisgah Area
🍁 Read my complete guide if you are planning a day in the Mount Pisgah area. Hit multiple hikes, lunch at the Pisgah Inn, and catch an exhibit at The NC Arboretum. This includes seeing the Dragon Tree at Skinny Dip Falls (the falls look much different post-flooding, but this is still worth the hike).
Mid-October: 3,000 to 4,000 feet
We love Bryson City and the Great Smoky Mountains in the fall. Mid-September through October, catch elk-rutting season in the Smokies. The elk are out of this world to see in person; they once crossed our path on the Oconaluftee River Trail. Just keep your distance; it’s the law.
For peak fall foliage in late October in the NC mountains, head to:
- Little Switzerland
- Pisgah National Forest
- Linville Gorge
- Maggie Valley
- Cherokee
- Brevard
- Banner Elk
- Bryson City
This is a great time to chase waterfalls, including:
- Looking Glass Falls
- Moore Cove Falls
- Daniel Ridge Falls
- DuPont State Forest
End of October: 2,000 to 3,000 feet
Witness peak fall colors in Asheville at the end of October here:
- Downtown Asheville
- Biltmore Estate (Read all that you can do at Biltmore Estate with my guide)
- Asheville Botanical Gardens
- The North Carolina Arboretum
Discover more of Asheville’s parks and gardens.
👻 Did you know that Asheville is haunted? Nothing beats a Downtown Asheville ghost tour…
Beginning of November: 1,000 to 2,000 feet
The last places to see foliage in Western North Carolina include:
- Chimney Rock State Park
- Lake Lure (Flowering Bridge was removed for Helene damage)
- Tryon Foothills (wineries!)
- Marion
- Rutherfordton
- Lake James
Our 5 Top Places To See Fall Colors In Asheville
As locals, we always have a few “must” spots where we go to catch the peak fall foliage. The Blue Ridge Parkway is a given. A few of our favorite trails and areas:
- Black Balsam via the Art Loeb Trail – Dip over to Sam Knob too.
- Graveyard Fields and Loop – Chase those waterfalls; this area gets busy and is a bit confusing for hiking.
- Craggy Gardens and Craggy Pinnacle – With one of our favorite picnic areas, hike both Craggy Gardens and Craggy Pinnacle while stopping at the Visitor Center for that scenic overlook.
- The North Carolina Arboretum – As annual members, this is a great area to catch fall colors without the crowds; plus, it’s close to the city with nearby mountain biking trails at Bent Creek Experimental Forest.
- Biltmore Estate – As annual passholders, we love hiking Biltmore’s trails to the Walled Garden filled with its final fall blooms of the season.