Many people living in North Carolina undoubtedly remember last year’s rather dull fall foliage, a result, reportedly, of an extra long rainy season that summer before. You may be happy to hear that this summer’s rain won’t have quite the effect upon our fall foliage enjoyment as it did in 2017. In fact, the predictions from SmokyMountains.com’s interactive map are very favorable for a nice, bright display for us in the Tar Heel State this year. And we couldn’t be more thrilled.
But you may be wondering just when, exactly, will be the peak times to view the landscape painted in bright red, yellow, and orange. There is no short answer... the timeline varies depending upon where you are and we'll break it down for you in a moment.
Fall just may be our favorite season in North Carolina. There is nothing like the crispness found in the air, the colors on the landscape, and the smell of freshly fallen leaves.
And whether you're experiencing said color explosion from the mountains in Western North Carolina, or all the way to the east along the coast, your timeline for the big event will vary, depending upon where you are. Let's take a look...
While no predictions can ever be 100% accurate, there are many, many folks each year who rely on the annual Fall Foliage Prediction Map from smokymountains.com to plan vacations, weekend getaways, and day trips to experience the splendor of the season.
To find your best time, simply refer to the three maps above for the date that corresponds to where you'll be viewing this year's bigger and brighter onset of autumn. If you're in Raleigh, for instance, then your peak will happen about a week later than it will in Asheville.
Planning to get away to view the colors? Check out these 10 cabin rentals perfect for a fall stay-cation. Want to see the leaves up close on a hike through nature? Pick out a trail that’s perfect for viewing autumn colors. Looking to get away just for the day and then be back home by nightfall? Here are the best fall day trips to take in North Carolina. Enjoy!
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