RomanticAsheville.com, a popular online travel guide to the Asheville area, has released its annual Fall Foliage Forecast. When is the peak color? The good news is that no matter when you visit in October or early November, you can take a short drive from Asheville to find the best color. The leaf color change begins soon on the highest peaks and gradually works down to the lowest elevations.
Here are the times and places to go:
October 3-12: Highest elevations north of Asheville above 5,000 feet show the most color, like Mount Mitchell and Grandfather Mountain.
October 10-20: Color is best in elevations 4,000-5,000′, including Mount Pisgah, Black Balsam Knob, and Graveyard Fields.
October 15-25: Head to the 3,000-4,000′ elevation range like Looking Glass Rock and Linville Gorge.
October 20-November 1: The city of Asheville (2,200′) shows the brightest colors, along with Hendersonville and Brevard. See the waterfalls in Dupont State Forest or visit the North Carolina Arboretum.
October 24-November 5: The color show concludes in the foothills (1,000-2,000′). Visit Chimney Rock Park and Lake Lure.
Here are a few tips for leaf peepers:
— With the varying elevations along the Blue Ridge 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′, and it
rises quickly to 5,000+ feet north or south. For the remainder of
2008, the Blue Ridge Parkway remains closed north of Asheville between
Craggy Gardens and Mt. Mitchell.
— To avoid the crowds, visit during the week. Saturdays during October
are extremely busy at attractions such as Biltmore, and highways and
country roads are busier. Make reservations early, especially at bed
and breakfasts!
— Take a picnic or snacks since restaurants are sparse in rural areas.
— Fill up the gas tank before taking a scenic drive out of the city since
gas is not available on the Blue Ridge Parkway.
— Bring a sweater or jacket. While it might be warm and sunny in
Asheville, it may be 20 degrees cooler at the higher elevations.
Graveyard Fields is beautiful year-round!