Our weather has been beautiful all week, but the word when it comes to fall color remains GREEN here in the Blue Ridge.
A long stretch of warm September days and above-average temperatures has slowed the seasonal change, even at some of the highest elevations. Last week, we reported early hints of autumn around Graveyard Fields along the Blue Ridge Parkway, where red maples and birches were beginning to turn. This week, there's still surprisingly little widespread color there for this point in the season.
That tells us the big show is still ahead.
No matter when or where you roam while visiting McDowell County this autumn, though, there's something special about watching the Blue Ridge Mountains change with the season, even if this year's show stretches well into November. And it might.
We will remind you, however, that no matter when or where you roam while visiting McDowell County this autumn, there's something special about watching the Blue Ridge Mountains change with the season, even if the show stretches well into November. And it might.
Bookmark this page! We'll provide regularly updated fall color reports, highlighting the best places to find autumn hues each week. We'll also keep you in the loop about seasonal festivals and events to help you plan your perfect fall getaway to McDowell County.
Where to See Fall Color This Week
Oct. 1 - Oct. 7, 2026
Your best bet for finding emerging color continues to be the upper elevations. Reports this week from Graveyard Fields and Craggy Gardens, both above 5,000 feet, suggest we're still at least a week or more away from significant color at those elevations. Lower elevations around Marion and Old Fort will likely take longer.
So what are we seeing now?
Tulip poplars are beginning to show yellow at slightly lower elevations, while birches are showing yellow across elevations. A few maples here and there are joining in, but most of the forest remains deep green.
Above-average temperatures are expected to continue into the coming week, so the progression may remain gradual. For now, look for those individual splashes of yellow and red among the green and enjoy watching autumn make its first appearance in the Blue Ridge Mountains.
Where to Go for a Fall Hike?
You don't need peak color to enjoy a fall hike. With comfortable temperatures and the first hints of autumn beginning to appear, it's a good week to get outside and watch the season start to change.
Mt. Ida Trail and Wilderness Area | Marion
Short but steep, the Mt. Ida Trail climbs through Appalachian hardwoods, mountain laurel and rhododendron to views overlooking downtown Marion and the surrounding Blue Ridge Mountains. The approximately 0.7- to 1-mile round-trip hike follows gravel and dirt terrain, with some steep and rugged sections along the way.
Point Lookout Trail | Old Fort
For a longer outing, Point Lookout Trail follows the paved route of historic Old U.S. 70 as it climbs from Old Fort toward Ridgecrest. The 3.75-mile trail is open to hikers and cyclists, with benches along the route and at its namesake Point Lookout. The payoff is a broad view across the Royal Gorge and surrounding mountains, a great vantage point for watching fall color gradually work its way down the slopes.
This Week's Favorite Fall Activities in and Around McDowell County
Haunted Trail & Corn Maze at McKinney Farm
- Friday & Saturday, Oct 2-3 from noon to 7:30-10 p.m.
- 300 Dysartville Road, Nebo
How about a half mile of backcountry walking trail through the dark woods and corn maze? Now add live actors, jump scares and sound effects and you have a bonafide scare-fest! No unaccompanied minors and parental discretion is advised.
Fall Fest at Camp Grier
- Saturday, Oct. 3, 11 a.m.
- 985 Camp Grier Road, Old Fort
Come celebrate all things Equestrian at Camp Grier for the day! And is there a better time of year for outdoor adventures on horseback? We think not. Pony rides, a mini- donkey petting zoo, and carriage rides await. This family-friendly event will warm the hearts of all of the animal lovers in the group.
Looking for more ways to celebrate the season? Explore our McDowell County events calendar for festivals, live music, outdoor adventures and more throughout the fall.
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 typically 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 should 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.
