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 begins 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!
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📸 All photos and videos are our own. 💙 Christine of Uncorked Asheville
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 cider donuts!), and mild weather for those gorgeous gem hiking trails around the NC Mountains.
📆 Plan your complete fall visit with our Western North Carolina and Upstate events calendar.
Plan Your Magical Adventure: Our Free Asheville Guide + Bucket List
Last week of September into October: 5,000 to 6,000+ feet
Toward the end of September, Tom and I 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. 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!).
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
- Beech Mountain
- Waterrock Knob
- Roan Mountain
- Great Smoky Mountains National Park (along the ridges)
- Craggy Gardens
- Bearwallow Mountain
- Trombatore Trail
🥾 Debating which fall trails to hike?
Watch our YouTube Short, featuring:
🍁 Linn Cove Viaduct Trail via Tanawha Trail
⛰️ Mount Mitchell’s summit overlook with the Balsam Nature Trail
🍂 Craggy Gardens from Craggies Visitor Center
🍁 Fryingpan Mountain Tower Trail
⛰️ Devil’s Courthouse
🍂 Pisgah Inn area with Mount Pisgah
For stunning 360-degree panoramic views:
- Craggy Pinnacle
- Mount Pisgah
- Mount Mitchell State Park
- 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.
Asheville Day Trip: Hiking Around Mount Pisgah On The Blue Ridge Parkway
🍁 Read our complete guide for spending a day in the Mount Pisgah area. Hit multiple trails, eat lunch at the Pisgah Inn, and catch an exhibit at The NC Arboretum. This itinerary includes seeing the Dragon Tree at Skinny Dip Falls. We also have a short YouTube video here.
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. Once, they 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 (read our Maggie Valley travel guide)
- Cherokee
- Brevard
- Banner Elk
- Linn Cove Viaduct (extremely popular)
- Bryson City
This is a great time to hike to WNC’s waterfalls, including:
- Looking Glass Falls
- Moore Cove Falls
- Daniel Ridge Falls
- DuPont State Forest
For more fall festivals, wineries, shopping, and beautiful hikes, Tom and I love visiting Banner Elk, Blowing Rock, and Boone in NC’s High Country.
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
👻 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
- Tryon Foothills
- Marion
- Rutherfordton
- Lake James
Before You Go, Plan Your Winter In Asheville
❄️ Winter Things To Do In Asheville
🎄 Visit Biltmore at Christmas
🥾 Hike these winter Asheville trails