2025 guide to leaf peeping in North Carolina: When & where to go to see fall colors

The Tar Heel State comes alive every fall as leaves begin to change colors. Discover when and where to go leaf peeping in North Carolina to witness the transformation.

North Carolina is home to some stunning landscapes and natural landmarks that are a sight to see any time of year. But the state’s natural beauty really shines in the fall, when the leaves begin to change color from green to vibrant shades of yellow, orange, and red. The best leaf peeping in North Carolina can be done in the western part of the state, and you can start to see color change as early as September in some areas.

Keep reading to learn more about the best dates and places to go leaf peeping in North Carolina. We also share some practical tips to help you make the most of your experience.

When to go leaf peeping in North Carolina

The best time for leaf peeping varies depending on the part of North Carolina you’re visiting. Mid- to late-September is often ideal for leaf peeping in the mountains, while on the coast, the best time to see the colors at their peak is in November. (You can use SmokyMountains.com’s fall foliage map for a more precise prediction of when colors will be at their peak throughout the state.) Clear, cool, and dry days are generally considered the best for ​​viewing fall foliage; however, on overcast or rainy days, colors are often intensified.

Pro tip: If you want to avoid crowds (some of the spots on this list are quite popular), try visiting during the week instead of on the weekend.

Where to go leaf peeping in North Carolina

Here are some of the best places to experience North Carolina’s fall foliage.

DuPont State Recreational Forest

DuPont State Recreational Forest’s beauty is so impressive that the forest served as the setting for scenes in “The Hunger Games” and “The Last of the Mohicans.” In addition to being an excellent location to shoot a major film, DuPont State Recreational Forest is also a spectacular spot for leaf peeping. The 10,400-acre forest has 86 miles of trails to explore and is home to several breathtaking waterfalls, including Hooker Falls, and mountain lakes.

The forest is located about 40 miles south of Asheville, which is the perfect home base for a multi-day leaf peeping adventure.

Cost: Free

Best time to go: Mid-October

Linn Cove Viaduct

A journey along the Blue Ridge Parkway, often referred to as America’s Favorite Drive, offers plenty of leaf peeping opportunities. One of the most famous attractions along the parkway is the Linn Cove Viaduct, a 1,234-foot bridge designed to blend in with the surrounding landscape, including Grandfather Mountain.

You can’t walk along the viaduct, but there are several overlooks and trails nearby that offer fantastic views of the bridge and the surrounding area.

Cost: Free

Best time to go: Mid-October

Grandfather Mountain State Park

Grandfather Mountain State Park, home to 5,946-foot-tall Grandfather Mountain, mentioned above, is a prime leaf-peeping spot along the Blue Ridge Parkway. The park is noted for its ecological diversity, and leaf lookers will get to experience a wide array of fall colors. You can traverse some of the many trails located within the park or drive up to the Mile High Swinging Bridge. Walk across the 228-foot suspension bridge and take in the 360-degree panoramic views.

Cost: Grandfather Mountain State Park admission is free. Tickets for Grandfather Mountain attractions, including the Mile High Swinging Bridge, can be purchased here.

Best time to go: Early- to mid-October

Price Lake

About 10 miles away from Grandfather Mountain, you’ll find Julian Price Memorial Park, which is home to Price Lake. Those wanting to view fall foliage from the water can do so at 47-acre Price Lake by renting a rowboat, canoe, kayak, or paddleboard. (You also get an excellent view of Grandfather Mountain from the lake.) Once you’re back on land, make sure to marvel at the colors reflecting off the water.

Julian Price Memorial Park also features a fishing pond, lakeside campgrounds, and several hiking trails, including the super-scenic Boone Fork Trail.

Cost: Julian Price Memorial Park admission is free; however, there is a fee for camping.

Best time to go: Mid- to late-October

Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Great Smoky Mountains National Park is the U.S.’s most-visited national park and offers plenty of opportunities for stellar leaf peeping—especially if you like to hike. Some of the best spots for fall foliage viewing include Rocky Top, Mt. Cammerer, Mt. Sterling, and Shuckstack Fire Tower, all of which have hiking trails of varying lengths.

If you prefer leaf peeping without too much physical exertion, head to Sylva, a quaint town situated in the middle of the mountains. You’ll have excellent mountain views from downtown, where you’ll also find many restaurants, breweries, shops, and galleries on Main Street.

Cost: Free

Best time to go: Mid-October through early November

Carolina Beach State Park

For some late-season leaf peeping along the coast, head to Carolina Beach State Park, where you can take in the fall colors as you explore the park’s nearly nine miles of trails. Flytrap Trail, about a half-mile in length, takes you through wetlands, longleaf pine forests, and wiregrass savanna communities. Sugarloaf Trail is a bit longer—about three miles in length—and ends at Sugarloaf Dune. Along the way, you’ll pass through a coastal evergreen forest, longleaf pine savanna, coastal fringe sandhill forest, and other diverse ecosystems.

Cost: Free

Best time to go: Late October through early November

Unique North Carolina leaf peeping adventures

If you’re looking for a more unique way to experience North Carolina’s fall foliage, try one of the following adventures.

Ziplining at The Gorge

Thrill-seeking leaf peepers who want to view the fall foliage from above should consider a ziplining tour at The Gorge. Zip through an old-growth forest overlooking 18,000 acres of protected Green River Game Lands on 11 different ziplines, with a maximum height of 1,100 feet. There is also a sky bridge, surrounded by trees, and three rappels to explore.

Cost: Tickets start at $129 per person.

Best time to go: Mid-October through early November

Hot Air Balloon Ride

Another option for leaf peepers who want to enjoy views of the trees from above is to take a hot air balloon ride. Asheville Balloon Company offers rides over the Blue Ridge Mountains near Asheville, providing unmatched views of the mountains and foliage.

Cost: Flights start at $300 per person.

Best time to go: Mid-October through early November

Sunset Tuckasegee Train Ride 

Hop aboard the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad’s Sunset Tuckasegee River Excursion for a gorgeous golden hour experience. This scenic two-hour train ride boasts majestic mountain views and leaves in a wide array of colors, from buttery yellow to crimson red. Book a seat on one of the open-air gondolas for the full fall experience, or enjoy a luxurious ride in a premium car.

Cost: Ticket prices vary based on your preferred car class.

Best time to go: Mid-October through early November

Other leaf peeping tips

To make the most of your leaf peeping adventure, pay attention to the following tips.

Elevation is Crucial 

Elevation can impact the colors you’ll see on your fall foliage excursion. Leaves at higher elevations tend to change color first, with those at lower elevations peaking later in the season. Generally speaking, sticking to an elevation between 3,000 and 4,000 feet will yield excellent results.

Dress Appropriately

While temperature probably won’t be a big concern in most parts of the state, it can get chilly in certain areas, such as in the mountains at higher elevations, so you should plan to dress accordingly. Additionally, if you plan to do any hiking, you’ll likely want to wear sneakers or hiking boots and bring plenty of bug spray.

This article first appeared on Good Info News Wire and is republished here under a Creative Commons license.\

Related: 10 birds migrating through North Carolina this fall