What makes Asheville so beautiful in the fall? The trees, of course!
Asheville is located in the Eastern Deciduous Forest biome of the country. And in case you’re a little rusty on your science, a deciduous forest is made up of trees that shed their leaves in the fall. The three most common deciduous trees in our area are beech, oak, and hickory.
Maybe you don’t care about the science and just want to see the leaves. Well, guess what. You’re in luck because we are entering the prime leaf viewing season.
Asheville Fall Leaf Stages
- Our fall colors start showing in late September, starting at the highest elevations (above 6,000 feet) first. Popular sites to visit through the middle of October include Graveyard Fields, Grandfather Mountain, Mount Mitchell State Park, and Craggy Gardens.
- Between October 18th and 22nd, the color change begins above 5,000 feet elevation. Good places to visit include Black Balsam and Max Patch.
- Through the end of October, fall foliage is brightest between 4,000 and 5,000 feet. Experience it at Devil’s Courthouse, Mount Pisgah, Bearwallow Mountain, and Pinnacle Park.
- Late October through early November, fall leaves become really accessible because they come out between 3,000 and 4,000 feet. A convenient and fun way to see them is to drive along the Blue Ridge Parkway and stop at overlooks to enjoy the views below.
- The beautiful foliage finally hits Asheville during the first week of November because the change is happening between 2,000 and 3,000 feet. Fun places to visit include the Biltmore, the NC Arboretum, Dupont State Forest, and Wildcat Trail.
- During the second week of November, the valleys finally experience the change. You can see it at Chimney Rock State Park.
Keep in mind that all of these dates are only estimates. Obviously, Mother Nature has a mind of her own, so we can only predict what might happen based on the past as well as current weather conditions.
If you’d like to plan a visit to the area to see the leaves, do it soon. Hotels and other places to stay tend to book up during this time of year.
Want to experience the beauty of Asheville year-round? Let’s talk! Our team’s expert knowledge of the Asheville area will help you have the best possible experience moving here.