OK, now we’re talking. After taking its time this year, fall color is finally coming into its own, rolling steadily downhill from the highest reaches of the Blue Ridge Mountains. One piece of advice still holds: Head high, then look down. The highest summits may have moved past peak, but their overlooks offer sweeping views of the color spreading across the forests below.
Fall color is showing strongly around Linville Falls, where visitors this week found colorful views along the Plunge Basin Trail and the Linville Falls Trail to Erwin’s View and Chimney View. Reds, oranges and golds beside the river and waterfall will stop you in your tracks. Nearby Little Switzerland and the upper Linville Gorge share the 3,000- to 4,000-foot elevation band, making northern McDowell one of the strongest places to look this week — with plenty of green still woven through the landscape.
Where to See Fall Color This Week
Oct. 22–29
Photos taken Oct. 20 along the Blue Ridge Parkway from Mount Pisgah to overlooks facing Looking Glass Rock, southwest of McDowell County, show autumn spreading across the middle elevations. At higher vantage points such as Blue Ridge Pinnacle, the immediate summit foliage may be past its prime, but the layered views across the colorful slopes and valleys below remain the attraction.
Farther down the mountain, autumn is settling in more gradually around Old Fort, Marion and Lake James. Recent images from Old Fort show burgundy reds and touches of yellow emerging among the green, with fallen leaves beginning to cover the ground. Around Lake James, bright reds and oranges are appearing along the shoreline and trails, although the broader landscape remains largely green. In Marion, leaves are beginning to carpet the Peavine Rail Trail, Fonta Flora State Trail and Universal Park—clear signs that color is continuing its descent into McDowell County’s towns, parks and lower-elevation trails.
The weather is cooperating beautifully with leaf-looking plans. The National Weather Service expects dry, sunny conditions through the weekend, with daytime temperatures ranging from the mid-50s around Linville to the upper 50s and 60s around Old Fort. Cool nights should encourage the remaining green leaves to change, while the absence of heavy rain or strong wind gives the colorful leaves a better chance of holding on.
For a scenic drive, the Blue Ridge Parkway remains open through Linville Falls and Little Switzerland to NC 80. The section between NC 80 and Mount Mitchell remains closed, and hiking at Crabtree Falls is still prohibited because of storm damage.
This week’s strategy is simple: Follow the color downhill. Begin in northern McDowell for the strongest immediate display, then watch for autumn to continue building around Old Fort, Marion and Lake James.
Where to Go for a Fall Hike?
For this week’s trail recommendation, we’re heading into the heart of Marion for a walk along the Peavine Trail. The 1.5-mile crushed-gravel and grass trail follows an abandoned rail corridor from State Street to Rutherford Road, winding through town beneath a canopy that is beginning to show its fall colors. Recent photos reveal plenty of leaves underfoot, giving the trail that unmistakable autumn crunch.
The Peavine is more than a pretty walk. Along the way, it traces Marion’s railroad history and passes the edge of historic Morehead Cemetery, the burial place of generations of African American families in McDowell County. At the Rutherford Road end, you’ll also glimpse an original wooden railroad trestle, which is closed to trail users but remains an intriguing piece of the old rail line. After your walk, you’re already close to downtown Marion, making it easy to continue the outing with coffee, lunch or a little shopping.
This Week’s Must-do in McDowell County, NC
Bring, borrow or rent your bike for this weekend’s FREE fun ride in and around Old Fort at the Pisgah Pedal Party. Less of an event and more of a multi-day fun ride and relaxed hang, it’s the perfect occasion to get some exercise and to fill your social cup to the brim. Join for one ride, or all three of them. Rides take place from noon to 6 p.m. Oct. 23-25. You’ll be immersed iin these iconic Blue Ridge Mountain trails alongside cyclists of all skill levels. Make a weekend of it — the fun doesn’t stop when the rides wrap up at 6 p.m. Refuel and chill with a great meal, and settle in for some well-earned downtime. Be sure to RSVP for this one!
Spooky Stories Down by the River
Oct. 22-23 and Oct. 28-29, 6:30 p.m. at Foothills Watershed, Old Fort
Consider it dinner and a show: Fill up at the BBQ Buffet before heading to the river for spooky stories told by Appalachian storytellers by the firepit. Reservations are strongly suggested.
Marion’s Trick-or-Treating and Halloween Pizza & Dance Party
Oct. 23, 4 to 7 p.m., downtown Marion
If you’ve got little ones traveling with you, treat them to big Fall fun at the downtown Marion Halloween Trick-or-Treating on Main Street. Come costumed and hungry for the pizza party, and stay for the dance party, games and contests.
The Mountain Trail at Dusk: True Mountain Scary Stories & Songs
Oct. 23, 7 to 9 p.m., at the Historic Orchard at Altapass, Little Switzerland
Well-known local storytellers Sheila Kay Adams and Donna Ray Norton will share scary true stories at the Historic Orchard at Altapass pavilion Friday night. Not recommended for young children, as these tales can be a bit frightening, but those 12+ years should enjoy the thrills of this memorable Autumn evening on the cusp of Halloween.
1st Annual Old Fort Harvest Festival
Oct. 24, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., 139 Catawba Ave., Old Fort
This is Old Fort’s celebration of handmade traditions by area Appalachian makers and artists.The family-friendly market will be a great place to pick up regional gifts and seasonal treats while exploring Old Fort’s downtown area.
Thursdays - Sundays, Oct. 16-Dec. 31, noon to 5 p.m. at 78 Catawba Ave., Old Fort
This indoor holiday market features a revolving stock of wares and treasures by 15+ local artists.
Saturdays & Sundays through Nov. 1 from 1-3 p.m. at the Historic Orchard at Altapass, Little Switzerland
The folks at the Historic Orchard at Altapass give you plenty of reasons to visit in the fall, including traditional live music every weekend in October. Bring the whole crew for an afternoon of mountain music and fun at the orchard.
Timing Your Trip to See Fall Color in the Blue Ridge Mountains
Due to the extreme variations in elevation and a wide variety of deciduous trees, the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina experience one of the longest fall leaf color seasons in the world. This extended color season means that no matter when you plan your visit, you’re sure to spot some brilliantly colored nature — as long as you know where to look.
When visiting McDowell in the Fall, be sure to pack some layers for leaf-looking comfort. It gets up to 15 degrees cooler at the higher elevations. It’s sweater-weather for real around here.
Early Fall
The fall color changes begin at the highest elevations in late September, soon after the first calendar days of fall. Look for early color at Grandfather Mountain or at Graveyard Fields on the Blue Ridge Parkway. Linville Falls often boasts bright pops of gold early in the season.
Over the next couple of weeks, color will make its way down the mountain slopes into the mid-range elevations. Early to mid-October is a great time to take a scenic drive along the Parkway, watch the leaves fall beside Crabtree Falls, and stop for lunch in Little Switzerland.
Mid Fall
During October, take a relaxing scenic ride on the famous Blue Ridge Parkway. With numerous lookouts and vantage points along the route, the parkway offers sweeping views across the peaks and valleys of the North Carolina Mountains.
Once the lower elevations start to experience the color change around mid to late October, plan a visit to the Pisgah National Forest, and maximize your leaf-peeping from the heart of the forest with hiking trails in Curtis Creek. Mountain bikers, be sure to check out the Old Fort Gateway Trail System, where you’ll fly through the flaming trees. The numerous waterfalls along the hiking and biking trails are spectacular this time of year.
Don’t leave the area without a visit to the awe-inspiring Linville Gorge. Located about 45 minutes outside of Marion and 40 minutes from the quaint town of Little Switzerland, the gorge offers some of the best fall-color viewing in the area. The plentiful jagged rock formations are nothing short of majestic as they plunge 2,000 feet into the valley below to the Linville River. The blazing yellow, orange, and red trees lining the steep walls define autumn in the NC Blue Ridge Mountains.
Late Fall
By early November, the trees will be showing off along the main streets of Blue Ridge towns. Enjoy the autumn atmosphere as you browse shops, galleries, and local restaurants in Old Fort and Marion. And don’t miss the beauty of fall reflected in the calm waters of Lake James.
Book Your Accommodations Early
Be sure to plan for your fall getaway to McDowell County. Old Fort, Marion, Nebo, Little Switzerland, or Linville Falls are ideal locations for all of your fall adventures in the Blue Ridge Mountains! This is one of the more popular times to visit the mountains, and accommodations do fill up quickly. Book a place to stay at a local hotel, bed & breakfast, campground, cabin, or vacation rental.
