Fall Color - Blue Ridge Parkway (2024)

FAQs

What is the best time to see fall colors in Blue Ridge Parkway? ›

When will the leaves be at their peak Fall color on the Blue Ridge Parkway? During the month of October, usually mid to late month, but it depends on your elevation. Leaves will begin changing first on the highest peaks and conclude in the lower elevations.

The fall color changes begin at the highest elevations in late September, soon after the first calendar days of fall. Look for early color at Grandfather Mountain or at Graveyard Fields on the Blue Ridge Parkway.

With summer transitioning into fall, North Carolina's trees will soon begin to transform into various shades of orange, yellow, red and purple. Fall foliage should begin in the upper elevation of the mountains by the end of September and then gradually spread across the state.

California. Peak time: Mid to late October is the best time to view fall color, starting from the higher elevations in the Shasta Cascade region down to the foothills and coast.

Things to consider when driving along the Blue Ridge Parkway

An intermediate 4x4 is a good choice of vehicle, as it's more suitable for some of the steeper inclines within the national parks. The best time to drive along the Blue Ridge Parkway is from mid-May to mid-September.

A late spring, or a severe summer drought, can delay the onset of fall color by a few weeks. A warm period during fall will also lower the intensity of autumn colors. A warm wet spring, favorable summer weather, and warm sunny fall days with cool nights should produce the most brilliant autumn colors.

On a clear day take the time and travel the Blue Ridge Parkway from Asheville to Cherokee – approximately a three hour-drive of breathtaking beauty.

As an iconic spot on the Blue Ridge Parkway, Mabry Mill is one of the most popular and recognized landmarks of Virginia's Blue Ridge. Located at Milepost 176, the mill is one of the most photographed places on the parkway and offers a beautiful scene during all four seasons.

Is it better to go north or south on the Blue Ridge Parkway? Since milepost 0 is at the north end, and it's closer to more big population centers, a lot of people drive the parkway north to south. The truth, however, is that the scenery is great—and the sights identical—no matter which direction you drive.

By October, temperatures drop, and there may be hoarfrost or light snowfall. Foliage color usually peaks in the last two weeks of October, and the leaves begin to fall in late October and early November.

Where is the best place to see the fall colors in North Carolina? ›

Fall foliage along the Blue Ridge Parkway in North Carolina. Both Turchin and Reinhold agree that the Blue Ridge Parkway is ideal for checking out the vibrant fall colors. “This go-to road is touted as one of America's most scenic drives, and the highest and wildest sections of it are located in Haywood County...

This rich display often starts at the highest elevation in late September and early October, gradually progressing to the lowest elevation by late October and early November. Peak season occurs around mid-October to late October.

Most visitors come to bask in the park's undeniable beauty show. In early October, fall colors develop above 3,500 feet. The fall color display usually reaches peak at mid and lower elevations in the third week of October.

The variety in landscape and elevation provides a long fall foliage season, starting earliest in the higher elevations and moving eastward. Fall colors generally peak sometime between October 10 and October 31; however, these dates can vary from year to year, based on factors such as temperature and rainfall.