It’s no secret that Asheville in the fall is a magical time of year. Feel as the air grows cooler and watch as the leaves of forest trees turn brilliant shades of reds, yellows, and oranges. From hiking and scenic drives to apple orchards and more, here’s how you can enjoy Asheville in the fall.
Go for a drive along the Blue Ridge Parkway
Take a scenic drive and along the Blue Ridge Parkway. This route meanders through some of the most beautiful landscapes in the Asheville area with mountain peaks, flowing streams, waterfalls, and an abundance of fall foliage to be seen. The early season begins in places like Rough Ridge, having the earliest colors usually in the last week of September. Visit in early October and see Mount Mitchell and Grandfather Mountain for stunning fall colors. Other popular stops to see fall colors include Hawks Bill Mountain, Price Lake, Wildcat Rock Overlook, and Mabry Mill.
In the third and fourth week of October, the colors usually peak, making for a great time to drive US HWY 276 through the Pisgah National Forest, Craggy Gardens, Looking Glass Rock, Table Rock, and more.
Enjoy a fall hike
Take a hike and immerse yourself in vibrant fall colors and beautiful scenery around you. A few great hikes, to begin with, include Rainbow Falls in Gorges State Park, Looking Glass Falls in Pisgah National Forest, and Crabtree Falls, just off the Blue Ridge Parkway. For a full list of Asheville hikes, use the Asheville Hike Finder.
Of course, you can also enjoy a leisurely fall hike right from your doorstep when you stay at Asheville Cabins of Willow Winds.
Visit an orchard
Asheville and the surrounding area are home to what we call “Apple Alley” along HWY 64 between Hendersonville and Chimney Rock. Not only will you enjoy the colorful scenery but stop at one of the many orchards and farms along the way to pick some apples, sample some cider, and enjoy farm-to-table meals for the ultimate fall experience.
Harvest season runs from early August through October, with many of the orchards open daily. Visit mountaintop orchards and take a bite of an apple cider doughnut at Sky Top Orchard. Or bask in the fall views from Orchard at Altapass along the Blue Ridge Parkway where you can pick your own apples, sample fresh fudge, and shop their general store.
Visit the Biltmore
Visit the Biltmore in the fall to see coloring dogwoods and sourwood trees that line roadsides and pastures, plus hundreds of chrysanthemums and salvias fill the garden grounds. Located at 2,000 feet in elevation, take in the views around you with stunning scenery of nearby 5,000+ foot majestic peaks of the Blue Ridge Mountains filled with fall colors. From October through the first week of November, the Biltmore is the perfect place to enjoy Asheville in the fall.
Fall foliage float down the French Broad River
While there are plenty of outdoor activities to enjoy during the fall, a float down the French Board River in autumn is a must. Enjoy this unique experience as you float the beautiful French Broad with its banks filled with fall colors and active wildlife. There are several local outfitters such as Headwaters Outfitters and Wai Mauna SUP Tours who offer guided floats down the river.
Stay at Asheville Cabins of Willow Winds
Of course, one of the best ways to enjoy Asheville in the fall is with a stay at Asheville Cabins of Willow Winds. Because we have a large variety of plants and shrub, our fall leaf season is longer than in most places. Discover our fall season as it begins with the bright red color of our firepower Nandinas, then joined by our burning bushes and ends with the turning of the leaves on our Bradford Pear trees.
Enjoy the fall views right from inside your cabin or outside on your private deck, either way, the best of Asheville in the fall awaits you at Asheville Cabins of Willow Winds.
This is one of the most popular times of the year, so we advise you to book your fall getaway with us as early as possible!
