Fall Color Update: Color "Explodes" in the NC Mountains

Fall Leaf Report for WNC Mountains: All along the Blue Ridge Parkway, between Boone and Linville, the trees are nearing their peak color. This week through the coming weekend, the northern section of the mountains should be incredibly vibrant.

Farther south, colors are slightly behind the Boone area. The sourwoods and dogwoods are well along, while the maples are just starting to show color. The oaks haven’t really kicked in yet. In the Highlands area, the colors have really blossomed the last few days (just like in Boone) and they say the peak will be this week through the weekend.

If the colors around the Boone/Grandfather Mountain area are any sign, we may have an excellent fall color display this year, from Asheville down to Murphy and Robbinsville. Remember, for the majority of our mountains, intense color is expected in the coming weeks.

Smoky Mountains Park Fall Color Report:  Colors are approaching peak in many high elevation (above 4,000') areas of the park. Leaves are especially colorful between Alum Cave and the Luftee Overlook along Newfound Gap Road and along the Clingmans Dome Road. However it will be a few more days - at least - before leaves reach their full colors at mid elevation. At low elevation, colors are beginning to develop, but leaves are still predominantly green. There are however, some scattered trees that are vividly colored in the foothills.