Fall is by far one of the best seasons in North Carolina. The abundant fall foliage decorates all of the state, but especially the mountains. Yet, just as quickly as the leaves change, it seems they’ve fallen. During the first couple of weeks in October, both locals and out-of-state visitors head to the Blue Ridge Mountains. Hotels, restaurants, the parkway…all are clogged with people the natives call ‘leafers.’ Luckily for those in North Carolina, there’s news that this fall season will last especially long (so you don’t have to worry about fighting crowds to see the foliage).
Great Smoky Mountains Railroad
Flickr / Matthew Paulson Biologists and climate scientists have announced the Blue Ridge Mountains, Asheville and other parts of WNC might experience an extended fall season.
Higher elevations along the Blue Ridge Parkway, where temperatures remain cool, will experience some of the most vibrant color.
Flickr / Allen Forrest
Flickr / Alistair Nicol Travelers will have from late September to early November to make the most of this wonderful season in the Blue Ridge. NOAA scientist Jake Crouch reported this summer was the hottest Asheville has seen, but Dr. Beverly Collins, a biology professor and fall foliage forecaster says the extreme heat won’t damage this season’s foliage.
Flickr / Jerry and Pat Donaho Dr. Howard S Neufield, biology professor at ASU and also deemed the ‘Fall Color Guy,’ has been releasing weekly reports on the status of this season’s fall colors. He agrees with us, that the Blue Ridge Mountains are by far one of the best places to witness fall colors. A diverse range of colors are to be expected due to varying elevations. High points like Grandfather Mountain will begin to see color in late September with lower elevations like Chimney Rock not seeing full color in bloom until mid-October and running through early November.
Flickr / Ken Rowland Higher elevations along the Blue Ridge Parkway, where temperatures remain cool, will experience some of the most vibrant color. Some great places to experience fall colors include Mt. Mitchell, Blue Ridge Parkway (especially Linn Cove Viaduct), Grandfather Mountain, Linville Falls and Gorge. This is great news for everyone in North Carolina who can’t wait to witness the changing of the leaves!
Are you excited about the predictions for abundant and lasting color in North Carolina? When do you plan to venture to the mountains and where are your favorite spots to visit?
Great Smoky Mountains Railroad
Flickr / Matthew Paulson
Biologists and climate scientists have announced the Blue Ridge Mountains, Asheville and other parts of WNC might experience an extended fall season.
Higher elevations along the Blue Ridge Parkway, where temperatures remain cool, will experience some of the most vibrant color.
Flickr / Allen Forrest
Flickr / Alistair Nicol
Travelers will have from late September to early November to make the most of this wonderful season in the Blue Ridge. NOAA scientist Jake Crouch reported this summer was the hottest Asheville has seen, but Dr. Beverly Collins, a biology professor and fall foliage forecaster says the extreme heat won’t damage this season’s foliage.
Flickr / Jerry and Pat Donaho
Dr. Howard S Neufield, biology professor at ASU and also deemed the ‘Fall Color Guy,’ has been releasing weekly reports on the status of this season’s fall colors. He agrees with us, that the Blue Ridge Mountains are by far one of the best places to witness fall colors. A diverse range of colors are to be expected due to varying elevations. High points like Grandfather Mountain will begin to see color in late September with lower elevations like Chimney Rock not seeing full color in bloom until mid-October and running through early November.
Flickr / Ken Rowland
Higher elevations along the Blue Ridge Parkway, where temperatures remain cool, will experience some of the most vibrant color. Some great places to experience fall colors include Mt. Mitchell, Blue Ridge Parkway (especially Linn Cove Viaduct), Grandfather Mountain, Linville Falls and Gorge. This is great news for everyone in North Carolina who can’t wait to witness the changing of the leaves!
If you’re wondering exactly where and how to make the most of fallin North Carolina, we’ve done all the work for you and compiled this amazing fall foliage road trip!
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