If you haven’t experienced fall in North Carolina, then can you say you’ve truly experienced fall? With gorgeous, bright foliage, a whole Parkway with incredible views, and even hiking trails to get a remote experience, autumn in North Carolina is simply heaven on Earth. While one can just hop on the Blue Ridge Parkway and be rewarded with some amazing sights, there are additional must-see places where the foliage is breathtaking. Take this fall foliage road trip in North Carolina for an unforgettable seasonal experience. Ready to get started? Don’t forget to bring the snacks then gas up the car and we’ll be on our way!

Google Maps
Following the map, you'll start at Grandfather Mountain, drive south through the mountains and towards Asheville, head a little east for Chimney Rock, a little more south for Dupont State Forest and Looking Glass Falls, and finally, out west for Max Patch. The total time is around 5 hours and 49 minutes, with the Blue Ridge Parkway being your key route from point A to point B. While this could be done in a day, we'd suggest breaking up the trip into a few days so you can make the most of every gorgeous stop and even create some of your own stops along the way. This is, after all, North Carolina in the fall and it is stunning, so are you ready to hit the road?
1. Grandfather Mountain
Grandfather Mountain, North Carolina 28646, USA
Flickr / Carol Von Cannon
Our fall foliage road trip in North Carolina begins at none other than Grandfather Mountain. This is a great introduction to the fall colors in North Carolina. Even the drive to the top of Grandfather treats you with amazing fall views. When you reach the top, take a walk across the Mile High Swinging Bridge. From here, you'll be treated to gorgeous, 360-degree views of the Blue Ridge Mountains, abundant in fall colors. After your trip to Grandfather, Linn Cove Viaduct is only five minutes away. You must drive on this iconic section of the Blue Ridge for an epic fall experience! The Mile High Swinging Bridge is one of the coolest bridges in North Carolina! Make sure you check out this short video from Grandfather Mountain to get just a taste of what it is like:


2. Linville Falls
Linville Falls, NC 28752, USA
Luke Wisley / flickr
Fall is the perfect time to visit one of the most popular falls in North Carolina. A quick hike on Erwin's View Trail will take you to an especially memorable viewpoint. Bring your camera! Linville Falls is beautiful year-round, but autumn is a particularly good time to visit. Check out this Adventuring in the Moment video to see all of the different viewpoints and what the hike looks like.


3. Linville Gorge
Linville Gorge, North Carolina 28657, USA
Flickr / Jim Liestman
If you are looking for fall foliage in North Carolina then this is the place to go. As the Grand Canyon of the East Coast, Linville Gorge is breathtaking any time of the year. There are so many fantastic hikes in the Linville Gorge area.

If you want to make a quick detour, check out the overlook known as Wiseman's View.
Wiseman's View Scenic Overlook, Marion, NC 28752, USA
Flickr / Bill McNeil
The safe but still heart-dropping rocky overlook allows you to experience Linville Gorge without any hiking.

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4. Biltmore Estates
Biltmore Estate Drive, Biltmore Estate Dr, Asheville, NC, USA
Melinda Young Stuart/Flickr
Flickr / Peter Bugaiski
Nature is always beautiful on its own, but to add that perfect, elegant touch to your fall foliage road trip in North Carolina, what a better stop than the luxurious Biltmore Estate? Billed as America's largest home, this place is incredible. Check out this video from Biltmore that showcases interesting facts about the property.


5. Chimney Rock
Chimney Rock, NC, USA
Chimney Rock at Chimney Rock State Park/ Facebook
This 535-million-year-old granite monolith is incredible year-round, but you can't beat the fall views. At the top of the 315-foot granite outcropping, you're treated to 75-mile, panoramic views of Hickory Nut Gorge and Lake Lure. Chimney Rock is one of the best attractions in North Carolina, for sure! Make sure to check out this video of the area by Youtuber Outside Chronicles.


6. DuPont State Forest
DuPont State Recreational Forest, Staton Rd, Cedar Mountain, NC 28718, USA
Flickr / vgm8383
DuPont State Forest is an amazing 10,473-acre state park. Home to rushing waterfalls, hiking trails, and camping spots, it's the perfect place for a full weekend of fall foliage. The most popular trail is the 3-mile waterfall hike that takes you to Hooker, Triple, and High Falls. Some of the hikes in DuPont State Forest are absolutely phenomenal.
7. Looking Glass Falls
Charlie Cowins/ Flickr
Looking Glass Falls is spectacularly beautiful, and this 60-ft. waterfall takes on a whole new beauty come autumn. Surrounded by dense forest, the colors light up around the fall. From the parking area, it's only a brisk walk to witness the beauty. You can't beat such an easy-access waterfall! Take a look at this incredible waterfall with this Adventuring in the Moment video.


8. Max Patch
Max Patch, North Carolina 28743, USA
ccho / flickr
As the final stop on our fall foliage road trip in North Carolina, Max Patch offers something completely different. Located near the Tennessee border, Max Patch is a grassy bald and one of the few places with such unique scenery in North Carolina. From the top of this wide-open field, you can take in 360-mountain views. To end the trip perfectly, pitch a tent and spend the weekend in a unique oasis. Max Patch is often called the crown jewel of the Appalachian Trail for its unmatched beauty.

 

There you have it, our complete fall foliage road trip in North Carolina. What did you think? Don’t forget to bring along this map for your trip.

Have you visited any of these places in the fall, or now want to try the road trip for yourself? What are some of your favorite destinations for fall colors in North Carolina? If you’re craving more, these ten state parks in North Carolina offer breathtaking fall views.

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More to Explore

fall foliage road trip in North Carolina

Beth C. | September 08, 2020

What's the most beautiful fall hike in North Carolina?

One of the most beautiful fall hikes in North Carolina is South Mountain State Park.

As you can tell from our fall foliage road trip in North Carolina outlined in the article above, there are more than a few places to admire North Carolina's epic fall foliage. If you're looking for the best fall hike in North Carolina, there are plenty to choose from. That being said, many folks agree that the trails at South Mountain State Park make for an excellent choice. The park encompasses 18,000 acres and is thus the biggest of North Carolina's state parks. Yet it remains one of the lesser-visited. Therefore, when you go, you can look forward to breathtaking scenery without the crowds. Time your visit just right and you'll also be able to enjoy some of the best fall foliage in the area.

What are the best places to see the fall foliage in North Carolina?

Here are some of the best places to see fall foliage in North Carolina:

 

For additional places to admire the fall foliage in North Carolina, you might want to check out Hanging Rock State Park in Stokes County, Medoc Mountain State Park in Halifax County, Raven Rock State Park in Harnett County, and Birkhead Mountain Wilderness in Randolph County. Of course, in addition to these centrally-located state parks, you'll also want to check out any of the following locations: Uwharrie National Forest, Crowder’s Mountain, Table Rock, Chimney Rock, Blowing Rock, Little Switzerland, Sugar Mountain, Banner Elk, and anywhere around Asheville. In fact, Western North Carolina is famous for its display of fall foliage.

Where can I go apple picking in North Carolina?

Here are a few places you can go to pick apples in North Carolina:

 

Apple picking is a beloved pastime when it comes to fall in North Carolina. You may be wondering, "Where can I go apple picking in North Carolina?" Fortunately, there are loads of family farms and other places that offer apple picking in the autumn. Some of the best places include Sky Top Orchard in Flat Rock, the Orchard at Altapass in Spruce Pine, Carrigan Farms in Mooresville, Devil Dog Orchard in Reidsville, Grandad's Apples N' Such in Hendersonville, Millstone Creek Orchards in Ramseur, and Knob Creek Orchards in Lawndale. Many of these locations have other seasonal attractions in addition to apple picking, so be sure to plan to stay at least a few hours when you visit. Happy fall ya'll!

Related Articles

Featured Addresses
Grandfather Mountain, North Carolina 28646, USA
Linville Falls, NC 28752, USA
Linville Gorge, North Carolina 28657, USA
Biltmore, 1 Lodge St, Asheville, NC 28803, USA
Chimney Rock, NC, USA
DuPont State Recreational Forest, Staton Rd, Cedar Mountain, NC 28718, USA
Looking Glass Falls, US-276, Brevard, NC 28712, USA
Max Patch, North Carolina 28743, USA