The Blue Ridge fall color continues to dress to impress us all here in and around McDowell County! The brightest autumn hues are the most eye-popping along the 2,000 to 4,000 ft elevations here in the Blue Ridge Mountains at the end of October, and what a sight! The ranges of yellows and golds to oranges, reds, and plums, well, it is absolutely stunning. Words just won’t do. You’ll have to come and see!
Speaking of the end of October, Halloween is almost here. And McDowell County knows how to celebrate it in ways to treat everyone in the family to a super fun holiday. There are events all weekend to satisfy the tricksters and the treaters in the group. Plus, for the folks who really like a good quality scare at this time of year, McDowell County provides the opportunity to get as spooky as you can handle. There’s tell of Appalachian Granny Witches, Bigfoot and hollars so haunted.
This is a terrific week to plan time in McDowell County to experience the Blue Ridge fall color while it’s at its very best and have a ton of seasonal fun, too. Happy Spooky Season!
Where to See Fall Color this Week?
October 30th - November 6th, 2025
This is an ideal week to enjoy a scenic drive on the Lake James Loop through the Pisgah National Forest, offering access to trails, waterfalls, lakes, and overlooks. This is 86 beautiful miles that will bring you right back to McDowell County, but with lots more photos and some really special fall color memories. This scenic byway is an excellent way to explore McDowell County’s range of attractions and destinations.
Make a leisurely day of it, stopping for all the photo ops of autumnal splendor and long-range vistas. Check out all the mountain towns along the way - stop for a coffee or beer. The Historic Orchard at Altapass is a terrific location for letting the kids take an outside break in a family-friendly atmosphere and for seasonal produce and truly delicious treats for everyone.
Where to Go for a Fall Hike?
Peaking colors will surround you as you’re hiking the Catawba Falls River Trail this week. You’ll have 2 miles worth of autumn foliage on the trees and scattered on the ground, as well as historic remnants of the old 1920s hydropower dam that used to power the town of Old Fort. The trail is rated easy for being relatively flat, but there are many (many) stairs to climb to see the vistas and waterfall from an observation deck.
This hike to the headwaters of the Catawba River and Catawba Falls is one of the best hikes in McDowell County, plus it's pet-friendly. Remember to stay off the falls, but do stay hydrated. And grippy footwear is highly recommended. Enjoy!
This Week’s Must-do in McDowell County, NC
McDowell County’s mountain towns are making it way too easy for you this Halloween to enjoy the ENTIRE day!
Let’s begin the day at Linville Falls Winery at 2P for live Southern Soul, Blues, and Americana music. And of course, wine. Next stop will be at 4P when the whole family, especially the kiddos, will love the Marion Monster Mash, where downtown Marion is hosting a trick-or-treating extravaganza until 5:30P. Then head to Old Fort for the Boo Bash that kicks off at 5P for frights and delights on Main Street and Catawba Avenue. Once the kids are tuckered out, the adults are invited to the Halloween party at the Fowl Play Pub in Little Switzerland for the annual costume contest, spooky specials, and seasonal fun.
This Week’s Fall Activities in McDowell County, NC
- Halloween Movie Night
- Friday, Oct 31st, 6:30P & 8:30P at Foothills Watershed in Old Fort, NC
- Dress up for Halloween fun and warmth, and enjoy a kid’s movie at 6:30P and then the scary movie at 8:30P! Freshly popped popcorn, candy, and a bonfire will complete the Halloween movie night vibe.
- Fall Trail Weekend
- Friday, Oct 31st-Sunday, Nov 2nd at Camp Grier in Old Fort, NC
- It’s Camp Grier’s favorite trail work weekend! Join for the entire weekend or just a day to have more fun volunteering than you thought possible, and you better believe the volunteers will be treated extra special this Halloween weekend.
- Halloween Glow In the Dark Tournament
- Saturda,y Nov 1st, 7P start at the Marion Lake Club in Nebo, NC
- If the trifecta of night golf with prizes on every hole, a Halloween party and costume contest, plus Halloween karaoke, is all bucket list items, mark your calendar for this one.
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.
