Don’t worry—you haven’t missed out on all the beautiful fall foliage in the Great Smoky Mountains of North Carolina! There’s still an abundance of rusty oranges, yellows, and reds, both on the trees and scattered across the ground, creating a stunning autumnal scene. Have you ever witnessed a leaf shower? Now’s your chance, with these colorful cascades in the forecast for the first full week of November. No umbrellas wanted or needed!
BOOKMARK THIS PAGE: We will be providing weekly fall color reports so you know when and where to go to find beautiful foliage.
Final Fall Color Report: Nov. 6 – 17, 2024
Top Ways to Enjoy Fall’s Final Colors in the Smokies
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Road to Nowhere (Lakeview Drive, near Bryson City): This aptly named road offers a beautiful drive with multiple scenic overlooks and hiking trails that capture the season’s last vibrant colors. The end of Lakeview Drive leads to a tunnel surrounded by vivid autumn foliage, offering a unique fall setting for leaf peepers and photographers alike.
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Fire Creek Falls (Near Murphy, NC): This hidden gem near Murphy offers a peaceful retreat with beautiful cascades surrounded by colorful autumn foliage. Fire Creek Falls is easily accessible, making it ideal for a quick visit or picnic, with the vibrant leaves enhancing the scenic backdrop.
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Deep Creek and Its Three Waterfalls (Bryson City): The Deep Creek area, known for its easy-access trails and three waterfalls—Tom Branch Falls, Indian Creek Falls, and Juney Whank Falls—provides a tranquil setting for fall color viewing. Surrounded by rich autumn hues, these waterfalls offer a peaceful atmosphere ideal for short hikes or a leisurely stroll.
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Mingus Mill (Near Cherokee, NC): Located just north of the Oconaluftee Visitor Center, Mingus Mill is a historic gristmill framed by stunning fall foliage. With the surrounding trees in full color, the mill provides an iconic fall scene, complete with the gentle rush of the nearby creek.
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Oconaluftee River at the Mountain Farm Museum: Nestled along the Oconaluftee River, the Mountain Farm Museum offers both history and beauty. The autumn colors surrounding the historic buildings and along the river make it a picturesque spot for a fall afternoon. Be on the lookout for elk, which are often spotted grazing near the riverbanks in this area.
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Wesser Bald Fire Tower (near Franklin, NC): A favorite for panoramic views, this moderate 2.3-mile loop hike from Tellico Gap offers 360-degree vistas of the Nantahala National Forest and surrounding mountains. This week, the summit will be past peak, but you may still see an array of fall colors lingering in the valleys below, especially at sunrise or sunset.
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Shadow of the Bear (Near Cashiers): Don’t miss the rare chance to see the Shadow of the Bear! This naturally occurring phenomenon can be viewed on sunny days around 5:30 p.m. for just 30 minutes from U.S. 64 near Cashiers, NC, close to the Rhodes Big View Overlook. Watch carefully as the shadow emerges from the mountain, creating the illusion of a bear in the landscape. Take care when parking and leaving the site, as the area can be busy!
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Blue Ridge Parkway Reopens Near Jackson County: Two additional sections of the Blue Ridge Parkway have reopened, just in time for the final stretch of leaf season. The higher elevations have peaked, but you can still enjoy beautiful unobstructed views of the Smokies:
- Mileposts 423.2 to 469: This section, from Beech Gap (NC 215) to Oconaluftee (US 441 near the Great Smoky Mountains National Park), includes the Waterrock Knob Visitor Center and Park Store (Milepost 451.2), open until November 11 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Mileposts 411.8 to 421: This stretch, near US 276, includes popular trails such as the Art Loeb Trail and Graveyard Fields—ideal spots to catch stunning fall vistas.
*The section from milepost 421 to 423.2 remains closed. The National Park Service asks that visitors stay out of the Devil’s Courthouse area and all other closed sections, even on foot, for their own safety. Any public use behind closed gates, including hiking and biking, puts workers and visitors at risk.
Other Ways To Celebrate Fall This Week
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Fall Music Symposium: Part 3 – Movement (Robbinsville): Try your hand (and feet!) at flatfoot and clogging on the wooden floors of The Grand Old Stage at the Stecoah Valley Cultural Arts Center on Saturday, November 9, from 3-5 p.m. Taught by career educator Linda Block, this interactive workshop is set to the old-time dance music of the Appalachian Mountains. Come ready to move, and leather-soled lace-up shoes are preferred for the experience!
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Annual WNC Festival of Trees (Hayesville): For those eager to start holiday decorating, don’t miss the Annual WNC Festival of Trees from Friday to Sunday, November 15-17, at the Beal Center in Hayesville, NC. This feel-good event supports local scholarships and community programs, with 100% of proceeds going to charity.
Western North Carolina is Open for Fall
As most folks are aware, a portion of Western North Carolina was hit hard by Hurricane Helene and will spend this leaf season taking care of their communities. However, all of Western North Carolina is not closed, especially in the Smokies region. We have spoken to local officials in the seven westernmost counties and they are all welcoming visitors at this time. This includes the communities of:
- Andrews
- Balsam
- Brasstown
- Bryson City
- Canton
- Cashiers
- Cherokee
- Clyde
- Cullowhee
- Dillsboro
- Fontana
- Franklin
- Hayesville
- Highlands
- Maggie Valley
- Murphy
- Nantahala
- Robbinsville
- Scaly Mountain
- Sylva
- Waynesville
We invite your family and friends to visit to create sweet memories and gain a new appreciation of the magnificent beauty in this part of the country. Here’s up-to-date directional guidance from the NC DOT to get you into these beautiful Great Smoky Mountain towns.
2024 Fall Color Forecast
According to local biologists and fall foliage experts, the Smoky Mountains are on track to experience a bright and colorful season. Warm dry days and cool nights are the recipe for stunning autumn hues, which the mountains have been experiencing as of late. In fact, some species of trees have already begun their transition, however the mountains are still predominately green.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) recently issued a long-range forecast for the North Carolina mountains, indicating the possibility of above-average temperatures and slightly higher precipitation levels during August, September, and October. So, how will this impact this year’s fall color?
“Fall Color Guy” Dr. Howard Neufeld, professor of biology at Appalachian State University, has been following and documenting the fall color season in Western North Carolina for 15 years. He said, “What we want to see is temperatures beginning to drop in mid-September through mid-October. If they do, fall colors will be on time (late September). If it is mostly sunny with little rain over this interval, it is likely that the colors will be more vibrant.”
Where to look for early fall color
During the earliest part of the season (late September – early October) you typically need to go above 4,000 feet in elevation to find fall color. Drive along the Blue Ridge Parkway to the higher points. Areas that tend to transition first along this scenic drive are Waterrock Knob (elevation 6,293’), the 16th highest peak in the eastern United States, Graveyard Fields (elevation 5,020’), a popular hiking spot with easy trails and multiple waterfalls, and Black Balsam Knob (elevation 6,214’), which offers near-360 views of the surrounding mountains. Another scenic drive to explore is the Cherohala Skyway near Lake Santeetlah. It spans the Great Smoky Mountains from North Carolina to Tennessee, connecting mountain peaks with elevations up to 5,390 feet at its highest point.
October is when fall color begins to accelerate across the mountains. Cooler nights and warm days provide the Smokies with the perfect weather conditions to produce peak season colors. When exploring for trees in transition, be sure to look down to find wildflowers adding their own pops of color to the season.
Typically around the second week of October is when Highlands, NC (elevation 4,117’), begins to see color emerge. Oaks, red maples, black cherries, and birches are all typically the first to turn. Blueberry bushes at the higher elevations will turn a brilliant red. A scenic drive along US Route 64 from Franklin to Highlands offers a beautiful way to see the color and some waterfalls along the way.
Top picks for mid season fall foliage
In mid-October, you’ll find fall color heading into elevations around 3,000 – 4,000 feet. During this time you should visit Cashiers (elevation 3,484’), located in the heart of Jackson County. Nearby you can hike Whiteside Mountain, a 2.2-mile hike with gorgeous long-range views.
Around the North Carolina Smoky Mountains you’ll find fall foliage appearing around small mountain towns like Andrews and Maggie Valley. This is a great time to check out the Joyce Kilmer National Forest, a popular hiking spot near Robbinsville in Graham County. The combination of towering old-growth poplars and fall color make this a sought after spot for color hunters. Nearby you’ll find Lake Santeetlah, one of the most beautiful lakes in the country, thanks in part to the Nantahala National Forest that borders it.
In late October, fall color will encompass areas below 3,000 feet in elevation. You’ll find beautiful foliage throughout many of the mountain towns around the Smokies including Sylva and Franklin. Make a trip to Oconaluftee Visitors Center near Cherokee for a chance to see the majestic elk roaming the pastures to graze in the evening. As with any wildlife experience, keep a safe distance from the elk.
End of season autumn hues
Once November rolls around, you’ll find fall color creeping below 2,000 feet in elevation. This is the time to visit areas like Chatuge Lake in Haysville and Fire Creek Falls near Murphy. In Dillsboro, climb aboard the Great Smoky Mountain Railroad and get a scenic tour of fall color.
In Cherokee take a quick out and back hike to Mingo Falls, offering a stunning 120-high foot waterfall.
Happy leaf peeping!
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