FALL FOLIAGE: Vibrant colors in the NC mountains

Image 0 of 47

As seen during the morning hours of Oct. 29 from Grandfather Mountain, dazzling fall color rolls along the landscape toward the nearby town of Linville, as low-laying clouds drift through the valleys. Colors are beaming at the 3,000-foot elevation range, and higher-up vantage points like Grandfather Mountain are ideal for taking in the wonder. — Fall foliage in the NC mountains As seen during the morning hours of Oct. 29 from Grandfather Mountain, dazzling fall color rolls along the landscape toward the nearby town of Linville, as low-laying clouds drift through the valleys. Colors are beaming at the 3,000-foot elevation range, and higher-up vantage points like Grandfather Mountain are ideal for taking in the wonder. (Skip Sickler/Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation)

According to Dr. Howie Neufeld, professor of biology at Appalachian State University and the WNC High Country’s official Fall Color Guy, today’s cold snap “will hasten some leaf fall and get our colors to a more advanced stage in the 3,000-foot range and also extend it down to 2,000 feet now, where it is still mostly green.” — Fall foliage in the NC mountains According to Dr. Howie Neufeld, professor of biology at Appalachian State University and the WNC High Country’s official Fall Color Guy, today’s cold snap “will hasten some leaf fall and get our colors to a more advanced stage in the 3,000-foot range and also extend it down to 2,000 feet now, where it is still mostly green.” (Skip Sickler/Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation)

Hawksbill and Table Rock mountains’ distinct profiles rise over the horizon, as framed by fall color seen from the Blue Ridge Parkway between the Grandfather Mountain exit and Stack Rock Creek (mileposts 305 and 304.8, respectively). This weekend should be one of this season’s best for fall color, with foliage peaking in the Grandfather Mountain area and beyond. — Fall foliage in the NC mountains Hawksbill and Table Rock mountains’ distinct profiles rise over the horizon, as framed by fall color seen from the Blue Ridge Parkway between the Grandfather Mountain exit and Stack Rock Creek (mileposts 305 and 304.8, respectively). This weekend should be one of this season’s best for fall color, with foliage peaking in the Grandfather Mountain area and beyond. (Skip Sickler/Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation)

The Linn Cove Viaduct area on the Blue Ridge Parkway is beaming with brilliant fall color. Experts anticipate this particular area and others nearby to reach peak color any day now. “The Blue Ridge Parkway around Grandfather Mountain is peaking this week, including Rough Ridge and the Linn Cove Viaduct,” said Dr. Howie Neufeld, professor of biology at Appalachian State University and the WNC High Country’s official Fall Color Guy. “However, even if higher elevation sites are past peak, lower elevation sites will be coming into their best color over the next two weeks.” — Fall foliage in the NC mountains The Linn Cove Viaduct area on the Blue Ridge Parkway is beaming with brilliant fall color. Experts anticipate this particular area and others nearby to reach peak color any day now. “The Blue Ridge Parkway around Grandfather Mountain is peaking this week, including Rough Ridge and the Linn Cove Viaduct,” said Dr. Howie Neufeld, professor of biology at Appalachian State University and the WNC High Country’s official Fall Color Guy. “However, even if higher elevation sites are past peak, lower elevation sites will be coming into their best color over the next two weeks.” (Skip Sickler/Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation)

While fog typically obstructs views, during autumn, it can serve as a striking contrast for vibrant fall color, as seen here near Rough Ridge on the Blue Ridge Parkway (Milepost 302.8). Color is just starting to appear along areas of the Blue Ridge Parkway 3,500 feet and under in elevation. However, as one travels along the parkway's higher elevations, such as Rough Ridge (4,773 feet), vivid fall foliage is nearly impossible to miss. — Fall foliage in the NC mountains While fog typically obstructs views, during autumn, it can serve as a striking contrast for vibrant fall color, as seen here near Rough Ridge on the Blue Ridge Parkway (Milepost 302.8). Color is just starting to appear along areas of the Blue Ridge Parkway 3,500 feet and under in elevation. However, as one travels along the parkway's higher elevations, such as Rough Ridge (4,773 feet), vivid fall foliage is nearly impossible to miss. (Skip Sickler/Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation)

Color continues to progress at higher elevations along the Blue Ridge Parkway and Grandfather Mountain. One of the most perennially colorful stretches is Rough Ridge, near Milepost 302.8 on the Parkway, and color can be seen popping between that particular milepost and the Grandfather Mountain exit (Milepost 305). — Fall foliage in the NC mountains Color continues to progress at higher elevations along the Blue Ridge Parkway and Grandfather Mountain. One of the most perennially colorful stretches is Rough Ridge, near Milepost 302.8 on the Parkway, and color can be seen popping between that particular milepost and the Grandfather Mountain exit (Milepost 305). (Skip Sickler/Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation)

Fall foliage in the NC mountains You don't necessarily need a viewfinder to see fall color spreading along Grandfather Mountain's slopes into the surrounding mountains below — but it certainly couldn't hurt. Here, low-laying clouds glide over the reds, golds and greens of early autumn. According to Dr. Howie Neufeld, professor of biology at Appalachian State University and the WNC High Country's official Fall Color Guy, colors at higher elevations, like Grandfather Mountain, are already well along, but those at mid-elevations between 3,000 and 4,000 feet still boast a lot of green. "So, for great colors, go high this weekend!" Neufeld said. (Skip Sickler)

Sunday kicks off a pattern of perfect autumn weather at Grandfather Mountain! The extended forecast calls for sunshine and temperatures in the 60s. This photo is from the Blue Ridge Parkway, traveling south from Blowing Rock toward Linville. Fall color lights up the landscape with Grandfather Mountain seen in the distance. — Fall foliage in the NC mountains Sunday kicks off a pattern of perfect autumn weather at Grandfather Mountain! The extended forecast calls for sunshine and temperatures in the 60s. This photo is from the Blue Ridge Parkway, traveling south from Blowing Rock toward Linville. Fall color lights up the landscape with Grandfather Mountain seen in the distance. (Skip Sickler/Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation)

Fall foliage in the NC mountains Fall color stretches along Grandfather Mountain's iconic profile, as viewed from the nearby town of Seven Devils. A recent bout of warm weather seems to have slowed the color progression, meaning vibrant colors are still abundant at the WNC High Country's higher elevations, such as Grandfather Mountain. With cooler weather on the way this weekend, experts believe the color change could potentially reach peak by the middle of next week. (Skip Sickler/Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation)

Pictured during the early morning hours of Oct. 13, this picnic spot on Grandfather Mountain, located just before Split Rock and Sphinx Rock, offers spectacular views of fall color, accompanied by the mountains and valleys below. Fall color is presently bursting on Grandfather, and the color change is steadily making its way into the lower elevations, with birches, maples and sourwoods stealing the show. Experts anticipate peak color around Oct. 20 for the WNC High Country. — Fall foliage in the NC mountains Pictured during the early morning hours of Oct. 13, this picnic spot on Grandfather Mountain, located just before Split Rock and Sphinx Rock, offers spectacular views of fall color, accompanied by the mountains and valleys below. Fall color is presently bursting on Grandfather, and the color change is steadily making its way into the lower elevations, with birches, maples and sourwoods stealing the show. Experts anticipate peak color around Oct. 20 for the WNC High Country. (Skip Sickler/Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation)

Experts anticipate color to continue developing at lower elevations this week. “By (this) weekend, there should be excellent color along the Parkway in most places,” said Dr. Howie Neufeld, professor of biology at Appalachian State University and the WNC High Country’s official Fall Color Guy. “However, even if higher elevation sites are past peak, lower elevation sites will be coming into their best color over the next two weeks.” — Fall foliage in the NC Mountains Experts anticipate color to continue developing at lower elevations this week. “By (this) weekend, there should be excellent color along the Parkway in most places,” said Dr. Howie Neufeld, professor of biology at Appalachian State University and the WNC High Country’s official Fall Color Guy. “However, even if higher elevation sites are past peak, lower elevation sites will be coming into their best color over the next two weeks.” (Skip Sickler/Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation)

While the Blue Ridge Parkway is known as one of North America’s most scenic drives, U.S. 221 isn’t too far off. Here, the stretch of highway between Blowing Rock and Grandfather Mountain offers a stunning display of fall color, as it weaves alongside the Blue Ridge Parkway and the iconic Linn Cove Viaduct. — Fall foliage in the NC mountains While the Blue Ridge Parkway is known as one of North America’s most scenic drives, U.S. 221 isn’t too far off. Here, the stretch of highway between Blowing Rock and Grandfather Mountain offers a stunning display of fall color, as it weaves alongside the Blue Ridge Parkway and the iconic Linn Cove Viaduct. (Victoria Darlington/Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation)

Colorful fall foliage adds a different sort of depth to Bass Lake in nearby Blowing Rock. Sunday, Oct. 31, marked the final entry in Grandfather Mountain’s 2021 Fall Color Gallery. With most fall color having peaked in the WNC High Country’s higher reaches, leaf-lookers are encouraged to cast their gaze toward lower elevations, especially those in the 3,000-foot range and below, where color grows more vibrant by the day. Fortunately, Grandfather Mountain’s mile-high overlooks offer the perfect opportunity to marvel at the autumn hues, as the season unfurls toward the foothills and beyond. — Fall foliage in the NC mountains Colorful fall foliage adds a different sort of depth to Bass Lake in nearby Blowing Rock. Sunday, Oct. 31, marked the final entry in Grandfather Mountain’s 2021 Fall Color Gallery. With most fall color having peaked in the WNC High Country’s higher reaches, leaf-lookers are encouraged to cast their gaze toward lower elevations, especially those in the 3,000-foot range and below, where color grows more vibrant by the day. Fortunately, Grandfather Mountain’s mile-high overlooks offer the perfect opportunity to marvel at the autumn hues, as the season unfurls toward the foothills and beyond. (Skip Sickler/Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation)

October 20, 2021 at 9:25 pm EDT

Latest Photo Galleries

PHOTOS: Logging truck spills load after rollover in Union County

PHOTOS: Logging truck spills load after rollover in Union County

May 08, 2026 at 4:34 pm EDT

PHOTOS: Blowing Rock home destroyed in early morning fire

PHOTOS: Blowing Rock home destroyed in early morning fire

May 08, 2026 at 4:23 pm EDT

PHOTOS: Monroe police seize vapes disguised as children’s snacks, candy from shops

PHOTOS: Monroe police seize vapes disguised as children’s snacks, candy from shops

May 08, 2026 at 12:23 pm EDT

RENDERINGS: I-77 toll lane designs unveiled as NCDOT seeks more community feedback

RENDERINGS: I-77 toll lane designs unveiled as NCDOT seeks more community feedback

May 06, 2026 at 5:12 pm EDT

RV crashes into the woods near highway in South Carolina, causes traffic jam on I-77

RV crashes into the woods near highway in South Carolina, causes traffic jam on I-77

May 05, 2026 at 11:51 am EDT

Photos: 2026 Met Gala arrivals

Photos: 2026 Met Gala arrivals

May 05, 2026 at 6:04 am EDT

PHOTOS: Panthers players and staff give back on Keep Pounding Day

PHOTOS: Panthers players and staff give back on Keep Pounding Day

May 01, 2026 at 1:18 pm EDT

PHOTOS: Crews tackle house fire in Rowan County

PHOTOS: Crews tackle house fire in Rowan County

April 30, 2026 at 5:07 pm EDT

PHOTOS: 1 hospitalized after head-on crash in Hickory

PHOTOS: 1 hospitalized after head-on crash in Hickory

April 27, 2026 at 10:52 am EDT

Avery County Wildfire

Avery County Wildfire

April 22, 2026 at 6:17 pm EDT

Apps Download Button

Recall alert: 218K Teslas recalled over camera issue

LaMelo Ball, Ana Montana welcome first baby

White House Correspondents’ Dinner shooting: Cole Allen pleads not guilty

‘Star Wars’ actor Michael Pennington dies

‘We just hit somebody’: Frontier plane hits person who scaled fence at Denver International Airport

Hantavirus cruise outbreak: American, French passengers test positive

Delta worker dies when aircraft towing vehicle hits passenger bridge

The Beatles come home: Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr perform duet on new album