23 Places to See Vibrant Fall Foliage in North Carolina

Is “leaf peeping” vibrant fall foliage in North Carolina on your bucket list? You’ll be in great company. Leaf peeping is a phenomenon that a lot of people love. Tourists will be abundant wherever you choose to go.

Leaf Peeping is defined as the activity of viewing and photographing the changing colors of the fall foliage, especially in New England.

If you are looking for a great fall color, be sure to plan a visit to North Carolina and include Great Smoky Mountains National Park, the Blue Ridge Parkway, and fun attractions near Asheville, North Carolina.

Map of the Vibrant Fall Foliage in North Carolina

Reference the Fall Foliage Prediction Map to determine the best time to visit North Carolina or other recommended fall destinations in the United States. You’ll love the brilliant yellows, the stunning oranges, and outstanding pops of red along the way.

23 Places to See Vibrant Fall Foliage in North Carolina

Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Interesting fact: Great Smoky Mountains National Park DOES NOT charge an entrance fee. That is one reason why this is a very popular park, especially in October when so many are visiting the park to see the vibrant fall foliage.

However, starting March 1, 2023, a parking tag is required for all vehicles parking for longer than 15 minutes within the park.

There are three parking tag options:

• Daily – $5
• Weekly – $15
• Annual – $40

Did you know that “the Great Smoky Mountains National Park is the most popular National Park in the country and hosts well over ten-million annual visitors… It gets more annual visitors than Grand Canyon, Yosemite, and Yellowstone combined.” ~ smokymountains.com

In his research, Chris found an app called GuideAlong (formerly known as GyPSy Guide). It was an excellent guided tour throughout the park. Using the wonders of GPS and satellite, the commentary played automatically as we passed a GPS point, sharing behind-the-scene stories, tips, side trips, and driving directions. The guide was excellent; we highly recommend it.

>> Related: GuideAlong in Great Smoky Mountain National Park

1. Entrance Sign to Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Take a moment to stop at the entrance to the national park for a quick pic before beginning your day of exploration. Even here, you’ll see brilliant pops of color and the vibrant fall foliage in North Carolina.

2. Oconaluftee Visitor Center

As you enter the national park from the nearby town of Cherokee, be sure to stop at the Oconaluftee Visitor Center. There is plenty of parking available.

If this is your starting point, you will be entering the park’s South District. The visitor center features a park bookstore and shop, public restrooms, drink vending machines, as well as the Mountain Farm Museum.

3. Mountain Farm Museum

During our visit to the Mountain Farm Museum, two elk were sparring in the trees by the river. Park Rangers were standing by to “help” curious tourists maintain a safe distance.

The Mountain Farm Museum is a collection of historic log buildings—a house, barn, applehouse, springhouse and smokehouse—that have been gathered from throughout the Smokies and preserved on a single site. You can wander around the grounds, take pictures and discover gardens.

An inexpensive self-guided tour book is available for purchase.

4. Mingus Mill & Quiet Walkways

Mingus Mill is just past the visitor center as you enter the national park. Mingus Mill does not feature a water wheel but works on water power to grind corn into meal.

North Carolina highlights a number of “Quiet Walkways”. Yep, that’s what the signs call them. The walkways are short hikes off the roadside but get you right into the heart of the fall foliage.

You don’t specifically need hiking boots for the “Quiet Walkway” hikes, but you’ll want to wear comfortable shoes. My Asics are always perfect for me.

5. Clingmans Dome

You shouldn’t miss seeing Clingmans Dome (while passing some pretty great scenery along the way) while in Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

But make note, it is a popular destination in the park. The line of traffic getting to the parking lot below Clingmans Dome may back.

During our visit, the line backed up for at least a mile. As we inched toward the parking lot, the clouds descended and covered the dome and the entire mountain. Though we still hiked toward the observation deck of Clingmans Dome, the sky was blanketed in dense clouds. We didn’t get to see too much of anything let alone fall foliage!

Hopefully you’ll get better views here during your visit.

6. Cades Cove

We made the choice to visit Cades Cove as suggested by our GuideAlong guided tour. As we took the turnoff toward the Cove, we were dismayed to see that the traffic on the main road out of Cades Cove was miles long (that is miles with an s)! And in the turning off…we were committed.

The Cove is a lush valley surrounded by mountains. As you enter Cades Cove, you follow a one-way road for eleven miles through the Cove, stopping to visit old homesteads along the way, view wildlife, see beautiful fall foliage, and stop at a number of churches. 

We made a stop at a Baptist Church with a cemetery in the back. The church was very simple in style.

As we walked through the cemetery behind the church, Chris commented to Kristen, our youngest, that this might be a good place for a bear sighting. Referencing the cemetery, she quickly responded, “Nah, this is all expired food.” Have to say this was the best joke of the year! 

As we tried to exit Cades Cove later in the day we drove 2 to 3 mph for miles. There was so much traffic! At least we got a good long look at all of the beautiful fall foliage in the cove.

Finally, we turned on to the main road! The good news? The huge miles-long back up was gone that we had noted earlier in the day.

Blue Ridge Parkway

If you are interested in the scenic route along the Blue Ridge Parkway in North Carolina, the exit is before you get to the National Park entrance (coming from Cherokee).

7. Blue Ridge Parkway Overlooks

As I was taking pictures with my Canon camera of the fall foliage at one of the Blue Ridge Parkway overlooks, an older gentleman stopped and gave some suggestions for great places to go for some good fall color in the area.

Since we were just driving, enjoying the view, and stopping every so often at the Blue Ridge Parkway overlooks, we followed his advice and headed over to the Cataloochee Ski Resort above Maggie’s Village. 

8. Cataloochee Ski Resort

We followed a steep road up the side of the mountain until we topped off at the resort. I got some great fall foliage shots at the ski resort as well as at the lodge a short way down the hill.

Hiking in the Smokies

Chris used the AllTrails App to find Smoky Mountain hiking trails along the Parkway.

9. Hiking the Waterrock Knob Trail

We stopped at Waterrock Knob and then set off on a hike on the Waterrock Knob Trail. The hike took off immediately up and up and up. It was a workout. Chris and I hiked first to a lookout, though there wasn’t much to see as the clouds had descended around us. 

From there, he wanted to go “off the beaten path” and find a plane crash he had read about online. I wasn’t thrilled about the muddy conditions nor the slippery roots we had to carefully climb over and around.

I wasn’t wearing my Oboz hiking boots, or I might not have cared as much.

10. Wreckage of 1983 Cessna Plane * Has Since Been Removed

After about a half an hour of descending into the forest, AND when people said it was just going to get muddier, I told Chris he could go on without me. He kept on going to the crash site and got some cool pictures of the fall foliage and the Cessna. 

I hiked back to the lookout and was rewarded with the clouds receding and some pretty awesome photographs. This is what puts the “Smoky” in the Great Smoky Mountains of North Carolina! 

Note * The wreckage has since been removed as it posed a danger to hikers getting to the crash site as well as damage to the forest by the hikers.

11. Hiking to Craggy Gardens 

Hike through a canopy of rhododendron bushes to an overlook of the Great Smoky Mountains. I imagine it would be pretty awesome in the Spring when the flowers are blossoming. 

Smoky Mountain Waterfalls

12. Crabtree Falls

You will need to hike 1.3 miles down to the falls. The trail is riddled with tree roots, so you pretty much have to keep an eye on the path at all times. Combine that with some mud-soaked areas as water trickles down the side of the mountain and you will want to be careful. 

This scenic 2.5 mile loop trail to Crabtree Falls is moderate to somewhat strenuous with a steep incline and rocky terrain. 

13. Linville Falls

If you arrive at the parking area later in the day, the pathways will be quite busy with tourists also checking the fall foliage and the waterfalls.

You can hike up to a viewing area for the falls, hike back down to a second overlook, and then down some more to the final viewing area. 

Architectural Marvels Along the Way

14. Linn Cove Viaduct

Did you know that a bridge is built to span rivers and bodies of water whereas viaducts are built to cross valleys and low lying areas? There may or may not be a river under a viaduct.

The Linn Cove Viaduct is an architectural feature that could be considered the most complicated concrete bridge ever designed.

Stopping or walking along the viaduct is not allowed but there are several overlooks along the way as well as hikes that give spectacular views of this iconic masterpiece.

15. Mile High Swinging Bridge

Are you planning a visit to Grandfather Mountain nature park with the intent to walk across the famous swinging bridge? You may find that the parking spots are filled with cars as well as any parking along the roadway for miles in either direction. 

However, if you happen to find a parking spot, you’ll marvel at the 360° panoramic views from the bridge.

“The 228-foot suspension bridge spans an 80-foot chasm at more than one mile in elevation (hence the name!). To reach the Mile High Swinging Bridge, drive the two-mile, winding scenic road up the mountain to the summit parking area by the Top Shop. Climb 50 stairs adjacent to the parking area or inside the Top Shop to reach the short pathway to the bridge. Also, an elevator in the Top Shop takes you to the third floor for a level walk to the bridge.” ~ Grandfather Mountain

Things to Do in Asheville, North Carolina

16. Asheville, North Carolina

There is a little bit of something for everyone in Asheville. Along with its close proximity to an abundance of outdoor adventures, Asheville also boasts an extensive arts scene.

If you are looking for activities and things to do in Asheville, TripAdvisor suggests these top 10 activities:

• The Biltmore Estate
• The North Carolina Arboretum
• The Folk Art Center
• Basilica of Saint Lawrence
• Asheville Pinball Museum
• Lexington Glassworks
• Woolworth Walk
• Western North Carolina Nature Center
• Grovewood Village
• New Belgium Brewing Company

17. Biltmore in Asheville North Carolina

Biltmore, considered to be America’s largest home, sits in the heart of Asheville. The home boasts 250 rooms with 35 bedrooms, 43 bathrooms and a whopping 65 fireplaces.

You could spend at least a day exploring the house and the 8,000-acre estate. The grounds include trails through the forest, beautiful gardens, an impressive winery, and an azalea collection that is second to none. Explore the estate during your visit, select a memento as you shop, and enjoy world-class dining and accommodations.

18. River Arts District in Asheville, North Carolina

Chris and I explored the River Arts District with our youngest daughter during our visit. The district is found in an industrial area east of the railroad tracks with artists taking up residence in aging and empty warehouses.

Tour the River Arts District to find artists at work, take a class, buy artwork, or simply meet up with friends for dinner and drinks.

Places to See Near Asheville

19. Boone, North Carolina

Boone, home of Appalachian (pronounced App-a-latch-en) State University, is a cute little town also known as the Heart of the High Country. From Boone you’re just a short drive away from mountain and outdoor adventures.

Discover family fun, the historic downtown Kings Street, farmers’ markets, Smoky Mountain waterfalls, Grandfather Mountain, and winter sports.

20. Bass Lake Outside of Blowing Rock

You might enjoy exploring Bass Lake just outside of Blowing Rock (close to Boone). The area features a walking path less than 1 mile around the lake with scenic views from all sides.

Skirted by the Blue Ridge Parkway and Great Smoky Mountains, Bass Lake also offers extensive trails where you can explore the Maze, Apple Barn, and Flat Top Manor.

21. Blowing Rock

The demographic for the small tourist town of Blowing Rock is about twenty to thirty years older than Chris and myself. Kristen had hoped to find a t-shirt but most clothing items where in the $100 plus range. 

You’ll find streets filled with art, jewelry, unique boutiques, antiques, quaint restaurants and home decor shops.

The town of Blowing Rock is named after a rock formation in the Johns River Gorge offering views of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Currents from the gorge often blow vertically, causing light objects to float upwards. You’ll also find Glen Burney Falls and Glen Marie Falls—two more Smoky Mountain waterfalls—close to Blowing Rock.

22. Black Mountain

About 15 minutes from Asheville is the quaint town of Black Mountain. The town is named after the mountain range that towers above it. Not only can you find incredible outdoor adventures here, but also a charming and walkable downtown with a thriving arts and crafts scene.

The readers of TripAdvisor have named it the “Prettiest Small Town in America”. While here, you may wish to:

• Explore the stores in the downtown
• Hike the Graybeard Trail or the Lookout Trail
• Stroll around Lake Tomahawk
• Enjoy the wide variety of places to eat
• Shop for unique artistic gifts
• Enjoy live music
• Golf
• Visit nearby Montreat

23. Chimney Rock State Park

Chimney Rock is a huge rock within the state park that offers panoramic views of Hickory Nut Gorge, the 400-foot Hickory Nut Gap Falls, and a network of trails. Are you a birdwatcher? Chimney Rock State Park is a well-known destination for bird enthusiasts.

Note * This is a popular park and traffic getting into the park may require some patience on busy days.

Frequently Asked Questions

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Final Thoughts on 23 Places to See Vibrant Fall Foliage in North Carolina

When I see a beautiful scene before me, my breath catches. And suddenly my husband knows that he needs to stop so I can take pictures.

I should have been hyperventilating all over the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and at each of the Blue Ridge Parkway overlooks! There was just one scenic, picturesque moment after another.

If you are looking for some amazing Fall Foliage views in the United States, North Carolina and the Great Smoky Mountains should definitely be on your bucket list.

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