There’s a reason thousands flock to our mountains in the Fall…our gorgeous fall colors that paint the mountains with vibrant oranges, reds and yellows. The 2018 Fall leaf season is running a little bit late due to warmer than usual temps in September and expected above normal temperatures into mid October.  Romantic Asheville does a great job of keeping us informed of the Peak Foliage Color Timeline. Stay tuned and begin making your plans to visit us to see the leaves starting in mid to late October. (That means our color should last well into November so there’s more time to come up to the mountains even later in the season!)

Update by Romantic Asheville: October 21, 2018 Great news! Fall weather is finally here and the delayed colors are starting to finally show – but muted. On the Blue Ridge Parkway  color is best above 4,000 feet elevation – south and north from Asheville. During the next 10 days, many sections of the Parkway will peak. Lower mountains are still mostly green thanks to record heat in September and October. Colors are running about 2 weeks behind “schedule”. Many trees along the highest ridges above 4,500 feet lost their leaves (especially after very high winds last night), and color is definitely not as brilliant this year. But our scenery is gorgeous!

Peak Foliage Color Timeline by Romantic Asheville: UPDATED SEPTEMBER 28, 2018 – Don’t focus on exact dates since nobody can predict mother nature. It’s our best guess!

September 28-October 5: Spotty color begins at 6,000+ feet elevation and high rocky ridges. The views from these lofty places looking into lower elevations will peak 1-2 weeks later.
October 6-14: Colors transform above 5,000 feet elevation. The leaves in the highest mountains north of Asheville turn first, *(that’s us here in Mitchell County) especially on the Parkway at Mount Mitchell and near Grandfather Mountain at Rough Ridge. Mile-high Beech Mountain is a great place to stay for refreshing temperatures. South on the Parkway, head to Graveyard Fields, Waterrock Knob and Black Balsam areas. Hike & picnic atop both Max Patch and Roan Mountain (in Mitchell County near Bakersville) on the AT.

Stay tuned for the next fall color season update.