7 Best getaways from Raleigh in the Fall season (scenic drives, hikes & more)

Start your engines Raleigh, it’s time to chase the Fall across North Carolina on a getaway from Raleigh. In our opinion, NC has some of the best places in the USA to visit for leaf peeping, since Western North Carolina boasts one of the longest seasons for Fall foliage. The Great Smoky Mountains region has more than 150 different species of trees, and the Eastern NC region is famous for its maples and sweet gum trees, which turn a vibrant red shade in Fall – so there’s a huge variety of Fall colors to admire!

If you’re thinking of taking a weekend break or longer during the Fall from the city of Raleigh to admire the Fall colors, or just get away from the city, then keep reading for some of the best Fall getaways in NC!

1. The Blue Ridge Parkway

Let’s start with the obvious choice when planning a trip to the North Carolina mountains: the Blue Ridge Parkway. It has the moniker of “America’s favorite drive” for a reason. This spectacular 469-mile scenic drive begins at the Great Smoky Mountains National Park (NC), and ends at Shenandoah National Park, Virginia, and winds through the Blue Ridge Mountains alongside the Appalachian Trail.

While we have not driven the Parkway in its entirety, we have done most of it on separate trips to the various regions. If you do want to drive it in its entirety, I’d recommend at least three days, allowing time for stops and photos. Below are some parts of the Blue Ridge Parkway we have explored.

The High Country Region, NC

We took a getaway to Boone and the High Country for Thanksgiving one year. While we were long past Fall peak, we still enjoyed beautiful views, gushing waterfalls, and wonderful hikes, and it still had lush Fall foliage colors this time of year. We know without a doubt the High Country region will be unforgettable during Fall in North Carolina, and with Boone being only three hours away from Raleigh, it’s the closest mountain region to us! 

As the name suggests, the High Country has the highest elevations in North Carolina and is where you’ll find towns like Blowing Rock, Boone, and Banner Elk, and top Blue Ridge attractions like Grandfather Mountain, Linn Cove Viaduct, and Linville Falls. Higher elevation means that Fall colors arrive earlier because of cooler high-altitude temperatures, so the best time to visit this region for Fall is early October.

Boone is a fantastic base for exploring the High Country region. As a college town, you’ll find plenty of amenities with great breweries, cafes, restaurants, and events. You can read our post here with more information on things to do in Boone. 

The Rough Ridge Trail (Milepost 302.8)

Of course, no trip along the Blue Ridge Parkway would be enjoyable if you spent the entire time in a car, so get out and stretch your legs to admire those sweeping views of Fall canopies draping the landscape. The hike from Milepost 302.8 on the Parkway is an easy 1.5-mile return hike that takes you 480 ft. up to the most spectacular views of Grandfather Mountain overlooking the famous Linn Cove Viaduct, the parkway, and the ridges of the Pisgah National Forest below.

Along this trail, you’ll find one of the most Instagrammable rocks with epic views of the surrounding mountains. It’s trick photography, guys. This rock has an unseen ledge just under it and is quite safe! Imagine how it would look with those Fall colors?

Linn Cove Viaduct

The Linn Cove Viaduct is an engineering marvel created to preserve the scenic and fragile environment on the slopes of Grandfather Mountain while allowing cars to continue their scenic road trip on the parkway. It’s a very popular Fall photo opportunity. We missed the Fall colors as we visited too late in the year, but it’s still very impressive to drive across anytime. There are pull-outs on the side of the road; be sure to use caution. 

Grandfather Mountain

Grandfather Mountain is one of the highest peaks in the Blue Ridge Mountains. The 300-million-year-old peaks stand 6,000 feet above sea level, giving you stunning 360-degree views over the Appalachian Mountains. Just imagine the following scene draped in a sea of oranges and yellows…

This area offers scenic overlooks, hikes, a nature museum, and picnic areas. The highlight for many is walking across the mile-high, 228-foot suspension bridge (it used to swing, but now it sings!). The views from here are not to be missed. 

Linville Falls

One of the star attractions of the Blue Ridge Parkway and North Carolina Mountains is Linville Falls, known as “Eeseeoh” or River of Cliffs in Cherokee. The Linville River travels from its beginning point high on Grandfather Mountain where it flows 2,000 ft down and reaches the three-tiered cascading falls at Linville Falls, where it continues through the beautiful, forested Linville Gorge (the Grand Canyon of the Appalachians) to its end at Lake James and the Catawba River.

Surprisingly, and fortunately, we got a splash of Fall colors over the Thanksgiving period! While here, head to Linville Falls Winery for some wine, cheese, and beautiful views on this 40-acre vineyard. I was quite impressed with the wine, especially the Brandy Barrel Aged Cabernet Sauvignon, the perfect Fall accompaniment. Read More: A day trip exploring Grandfather Mountain and Linville Falls

Blowing Rock

Another iconic rock in the High Country region is Blowing Rock, an outcropping of rock 4,090 feet above John’s River Gorge. The rock has a mysterious prevailing wind always blowing over it, which has been known to return thrown light objects over the void. It’s a short attraction near Boone to visit, with just the rock, a few extra viewpoints, and a small hiking trail. The views here are beautiful and should be in peak Fall foliage colors in early October.

2. Asheville, NC

Asheville has always been a town we’ve enjoyed visiting, not just for its artsy spirit but also for its nature. Some may consider downtown Asheville to be in the heart of the North Carolina mountain region. For Fall colors, late September and early October are the times to visit, since it’s nestled in the mountain region, the colors start blooming earlier.

The city oozes character and quirky charm and is well known for art galleries, excellent breweries, fabulous restaurants, a thriving live music scene, hiking trails, healing resorts, the French Broad River, and America’s largest home, the Biltmore Estate (beautifully surrounded by Fall foliage). From here, you have easy access to the Blue Ridge Parkway, the Pisgah National Forest, and the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. 

Take your pick of fall leaf-peeping activities, including hikes, bike riding, and viewpoints. We can definitely vouch for outstanding food experiences. Asheville is one of our favorite small towns in the USA. You can read our guide to downtown Asheville here. 

3. Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Famous for its magical smoky haze, the Great Smoky Mountains contain some of the highest peaks in eastern North America and are internationally recognized for their mountain vistas, waterfalls, biodiversity, spruce-fir forests, and wildflowers. A hiker’s dream. The park straddles the border of North Carolina and Tennessee and is one of the most visited of the USA’s National Parks, and is extremely popular during the Fall season. Because it’s high in elevation, colors tend to change earlier here, so time your visit for mid October for a bright experience.

It will be tricky to plan it just right, as it has such variations in elevation. There are different Fall peak times across the national park. But that will also give you more options across a longer leaf-peeping time span. 

We have been to 23 of the 63 National Parks in the US, and so far, the Smoky Mountains are in our top six most loved! There are so many things to do in the Smoky Mountains, so here are a few highlights.

Kuwohi (formerly Clingmans Dome)

One of the park’s most popular attractions is the highest point of the Smokies, Kuwohi, at 6,643 ft high. There is a short hike to the top of the tower and outstanding leaf-peeping views. Fingers crossed you have timed it right. We got snow-tipped trees instead! 

Newfound Gap

Newfound Gap (5,046 ft) also has stunning panoramic views. It’s also where the state border runs between Tennessee and NC. You can also walk a little of the Appalachian Trail here. 

Cades Cove Loop Bike Ride

One of our favorite things to do in the North Carolina Mountains is the 11-mile Cades Cove loop bike ride (you can also drive it). Cades Cove is an isolated valley located on the Tennessee side of the park. It started as a seasonal hunting camp for the Cherokee Indians before the Europeans settled the area between 1818 and 1821. You can visit many of the preserved buildings along the trail. 

Apart from the stunning fall foliage, this is the best area to see wildlife. We saw so many bears here. That was in May, though. You can still expect to see bears in Fall, though, as they are usually spending this time looking for dens for the winter. As Cades Cove is at lower elevation, this would be a great later Fall experience for end of October to early November. 

4. Bryson City and the Great Smoky Mountains (South Entrance)

Bryson City is known as the Quieter Side of the Smokies. It’s another laid-back mountain town in Western NC focused on outdoor lifestyle. It sits at the southern gateway of the Smoky Mountains NP and the Nantahala National Forest and is surrounded by streams, waterfalls, and lakes. Leaf peeping season tends to fall around early October because it’s high in elevation. Activities include hiking, biking, horse riding, swimming, tubing, rafting, and fishing. You’ll find breweries with fire pits and, if you’re lucky like us, you may time the Fall colors with the Polar Express holiday experience. 

The Elk at Oconaluftee Visitor Center

One of the best things to do in North Carolina during the Fall is to witness The Rut. Autumn is the time when male elk preen their horns and fight each other for herd dominance, shouting their bugle calls along the way. The elk come out to the fields near the Oconaluftee Visitor Center at dawn (and then at dusk) and tend to stay out for 60-90 minutes before retreating into the shadowy forest. The 1.5-mile Oconaluftee River Trail is beautiful with the Fall foliage and also a place you may see elk wading in the river or on the banks. Use your common sense around wildlife. PRO TIP: Arrive no later than 7:30am. It’s a 30-minute drive from Bryson City. 

Deep Creek Hike

5 minutes from downtown Bryson City is the 4-mile loop Deep Creek hike, located within the Smoky Mountains NP. This loop walk takes you past three waterfalls: Juney Whank Falls, Indian Creek Falls, and Tom Branch Falls. The trail was resplendent with vibrant Autumn colors. Deep Creek is also popular for fly fishing!

Nantahala Forest

Another place to see Fall foliage in North Carolina is the Nantahala Forest. There are plenty of outdoor activities on offer, including hiking, biking, zip lining, fishing, and white-water rafting. The Nantahala River is one of the most popular whitewater rafting rivers in the Southeast with easy Class II and III rapids. The lesser intensity of this whitewater rafting experience gives you more scope to appreciate the colors. We did this years ago with friends. While the water was a little chilly, we had a lot of fun, and the spa after it back in our vacation rental capped off the experience.

Road to Nowhere

The scenic Road to Nowhere (or Lakeview Drive) has beautiful views of Fontana Lake, especially during the Fall. This six-mile drive takes you through the Great Smoky Mountains to its finish at the mouth of a tunnel. You can walk through the graffiti-decorated tunnel or enjoy any of the three hiking trails from the Road to Nowhere: The Noland Creek Trail (18 miles round trip), the 3-mile Goldmine Loop Trail, and the 42-mile Lakeshore Trail. And the drive to the tunnel from Bryson City is spectacular; look at these views and colors below.

For those with more time, you may want to extend your road trip by driving an extra 3 hours to Chattanooga in Tennessee. It has a vibrant lifestyle similar to Raleigh and is surrounded by stunning mountains and outdoor adventure. In fact, if I thought my legs weren’t firmly planted here in Raleigh, Chattanooga could be a place I’d live.

I can only imagine how beautiful the exquisite Lovers Leap Falls and views from Rock City Garden would be in the Fall. If you want to explore the North Carolina mountains further, you may like this: here is a 7-day road trip itinerary between Raleigh and Cherokee in the Great Smoky Mountains and ideas on how to enjoy a weekend in the Great Smoky Mountains from Raleigh.

5. Winston-Salem

Winston-Salem is only about an hour and 40 minutes drive from Raleigh, and makes for an ideal getaway for those who don’t want to travel too far from the city. Winston-Salem is a great place to go for leaf peeping in the nature around the city, such as in Yadkin Valley Wine Region, Pilot Mountain, along the Moravian Culinary Trail, and most spectacularly, around Salem Lake.

The “Reynolda Mile,” a gorgeous scenic drive along Reynolda Road between downtown and Wake Forest University, is lined with hardwood trees that are a dazzling display of vibrant yellows and oranges this time of year. The Fall leaves tend to change around early October as it’s high in elevation, so time your visit for then. Another reason people come to Winston-Salem in the Fall is to visit the most haunted sites, especially during Halloween weekend!

Old Salem and Reynolda have some of the most haunted sites in the city, including the historic Brookstown Inn, which has been voted as one of the most haunted places in the state! Be sure to visit the Carolina Classic Fair, the second largest agricultural fair in North Carolina, which takes place every Fall in Winston-Salem.

6. Roanoke & Virginia’s Blue Ridge Mountains, VA

A three-hour drive from Raleigh makes for an easy weekend getaway that will bring you to the largest metropolitan center nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains chain. We visited in mid-October and had plenty of beautiful Fall colors. Downtown Roanoke has plenty of local stores and farm-to-table restaurants, as well as the Roanoke Valley Greenways, which wind for over 30 miles through the various communities of this region.

The Tree Top Quest high ropes obstacle course at Explore Park was one of the best we’ve done, made even better by the Fall colors as we climbed and zipped amongst the canopy. 

The Peaks of Otter

The Blue Ridge Parkway is only a 10-minute drive from Downtown Roanoke, with plenty of pull-offs for views and hikes. We spent the day enjoying the many vistas and Blue Ridge Parkway fall colors from Milepost 120 at Mill Mountain to Milepost 86 at the Peaks of Otter – there is a popular hike (or shuttle) you can take to Sharp Top Mountain to enjoy 360-degree views of the Peaks of Otter area.

The Roanoke Star

The 88.5 ft tall illuminated Roanoke Star was constructed in 1949 as a holiday decoration at the top of Mill Mountain. Most people come here for selfies and gorgeous Fall colors and views of Roanoke Valley, the mountains, and downtown. Mill Mountain Park has ample opportunity for outdoor adventures, including hiking and mountain biking trails, the Mill Mountain Zoo, Wildflower Garden, and Discovery Center. Read More: A guide to enjoying Roanoke in the Fall

7. Shenandoah National Park, Virginia

From Roanoke, you can take the Blue Ridge Parkway all the way north to its end at Shenandoah National Park (approx. 3 hours). The Skyline Drive in Virginia catches the baton at the end of the Blue Ridge Parkway and runs through the entire 105-mile length of the Shenandoah Valley National Park on the crest of the Virginia Blue Ridge Mountains. It is the ONLY road in the Shenandoah National Park and has plenty of hiking trails, picnic spots, viewpoints, and lodges.

Be prepared for endless viewpoints over the Shenandoah Valley, the Blue Ridge Mountains, and the Massanutten Mountain Range. The East is more mountainous with lush forest; the West is more mountainous with expansive views of the Shenandoah Valley. Read this guide on the Skyline Drive in Shenandoah National Park and more tips on things to do in the Shenandoah Valley (including walking an alpaca!)

When will the leaves change in the NC Mountains?

According to the Smoky Mountains fall foliage map, the leaves should start changing late-September, with the peak happening between Oct 3-27. According to Explore Asheville, the changing of leaves usually follows this pattern: 

• Mid-October: Areas around 5,500 ft. 
• Late October: Areas around 2,300 ft.
• Early November: Areas below 1,500 ft.

Fall in North Carolina is a little temperamental, with the leaves already starting to change in Raleigh. Remember, it’s Mother Nature, and she goes to her own schedule without giving us anything more than a few signs to guesstimate. The leaves will also peak at different times depending on the elevations and tree species. 

Keep checking the interactive map linked at the top of this guide, and aim for the mid-range, because if you miss the fall foliage at the top of the mountain, you’ll at least get it at the bottom! We went to Bryson City during the first week of November for the Polar Express experience, and there was still plenty of color around (as it’s lower and further south)! 

Final thoughts

So there you have it, those are places you can go on a getaway from Raleigh in the Fall. As you can see, it’s not just the North Carolina Blue Ridge Mountains that we have easy access to from the Triangle region! Keep in mind that flexibility is an advantage, as will be traveling mid-week, booking in advance, and possibly camping. You may want to check out some of these secluded mountain retreats in North Carolina. I hope this post gave you some new ideas on places to visit. Please ask any questions or share your own suggestions in the comments below!

More Getaway Ideas From Raleigh

Need more inspiration about getaways from Raleigh? Check out these other guides:

• Fun day trips from Raleigh
• Towns in North Carolina that look just like Europe!
• The Cutest Small Towns in North Carolina to Fall in Love With
• Guide on things to do in Wilmington
• Best things to do in Outer Banks
• Waterfront Resorts & Hotels in North Carolina (to escape to from Raleigh)
• Top Family Vacations in North Carolina on a Budget