2024 Fall Color Report

Every Fall season, Western North Carolina becomes a hot spot for people chasing the fall foliage. This region is hailed for its diverse flora and fauna, which means the color diversity each October is spectacular! The brilliant poplars and maples light up, and locals and visitors alike try to seek out the best spots. Top spots such as Jump Off Rock and Pisgah National Forest draw large crowds, many of whom are sharing their sightings via camera. Starting mid-October and stretching for weeks, the elevation and trees create scenic drives and hikes, perfect for capturing those magic mountain moments.

Here is a quick guide to the elevation for finding your best views:

• Late September – The higher elevations, 6,000 feet and above, which are a short drive north of Hendersonville, begin to burst into color, making the highest ridges popular among both photographers and hikers.
• First and second weeks of October – Elevations above 4,000 feet (such as Mount Pisgah and Black Balsam) start to hit their stride with blazing oranges and reds. This is a great time for a drive along the Blue Ridge Parkway. 
• Mid-October – 3,000-4,000 feet elevations are awash in color. Expect places like DuPont State Recreational Forest and Chimney Rock Park to explode with reds, oranges, and yellows.
• Late October – The mid and lower levels (2,000-3,000 feet), including Downtown Hendersonville, showcases its seasonal best at this time.
• Early November – The foothills (1,000-2,000 feet) see the later-season fall foliage. To see color this time of year, you will need to drive a little further afield, but it will be worth the drive.

See below for our running updates on where things stand for this year’s color show!

(Please note: the photo here and at the top of this page are from previous years. Also, temperatures in 2024 were cooler than usual in late August into September, so there is a chance that peak color will be a little early, but each year really does keep us guessing!)

Business: Juniper

Location: Downtown Hendersonville (but I explore all over!)

Area of expertise: My business plans screen-free itineraries for visitors, so it’s truly my job to know where to go for the best view this time of year. I just love fall in Hendersonville!

Fun fall fact: The best time to watch the sunrise in WNC is in the fall, because the sunrise is the latest it is all year long, so you don’t have to get up super early to catch the beauty. Early, yes, but not super early. 🙂 

Business: Friends of DuPont Forest

Location: Hendersonville, NC

Area of expertise: I grew up hiking all over these mountains and my favorite season to get in the woods in in Fall when nature puts on her show.

What I love most about Fall: No other place does Fall like Western North Carolina. Wherever you look there are amazing colors. And the weather is just about perfect – even when it rains.

Business: Henderson County TDA

Location: Primarily Mills River & Downtown Hendersonville

Area of expertise: Fall is my favorite season. I feel so lucky to live in an area with such beauty!

What I love most about fall: My goal for this fall is to visit every apple orchard in Henderson County. It turns out that apple trees don’t produce much fall color, but I’ll let it slide if it means I get to enjoy an apple cider donut or two.

Business: Henderson County TDA

Location: I’m out and about all season long

Area of expertise: This is my 8th year chasing fall color in WNC

Favorite fall quote: “I’m so glad I live in a world where there are Octobers.” — Anne of Green Gables

Melanie Black:I walked through the streets of Downtown Hendersonville, and there’s not much fall foliage yet. A few of the maple trees had some leaves at the top starting to change, but most of the area is still pretty green. However, this tree always stands out to me—it’s the first one to show its fall colors every year!

Ashley Downer: I visited the Carl Sandburg Home and enjoyed a quick hike and spent time with the goats on the property. The trees are just beginning to hint at fall, with splashes of yellow amid the still-dominant greens. I can’t help but feel excited for the upcoming fall foliage, hoping the storm does not dampen the vibrant colors that are to come.