The Blue Ridge Parkway is one of the most popular destinations in North Carolina. Located at milepost 384 in Asheville (and with several entrance ways throughout the state) the Blue Ridge Parkway allows North Carolinians and travelers to explore uncharted mountain wilderness, hiking trails, waterfalls, and sometimes just breathtaking scenery right from the comfort of your car. But the Blue Ridge Parkway also has its 'secrets,' or better yet, surprising facts. Some you might have never known, like these 16.
1. In 1935, construction began on the Blue Ridge Parkway.
2. Those in the Civilian Conservation Corps did much of the nearby landscaping. Working on roadside planting and fixing up fields and forests not far off the Blue Ridge Parkway.
5. As the most visited National Park in the U.S, the Blue Ridge Parkway has twice the amount of visitors per year as Yosemite, the Grand Canyon, and Yellowstone combined!
10. The Blue Ridge Parkway is the longest and highest continuous route in the Appalachia region. Elevation varies from a mere 649 ft. to a daring 6,047 feet at Richland Balsam.
15. On the Parkway, it is illegal to gather the leaves of the Galax Plant. These leaves have been used for medicinal purposes in the Southern Appalachia region for years and years.
Wow, who knew the Blue Ridge Parkway held so many interesting facts? Did you know any of these, or did you know most of them? When is your favorite time for a drive on the Parkway?
If there are two things North Carolinians love, it's autumn and long drives through gorgeous country roads. When fall is in full force, you can make the most of the two by combining them! Blue Ridge Parkway is the most famous for fall drives, and for good reason. But there are plenty more. Let's look at 10 of the best fall drives in North Carolina.
Searching for a "fall drive near me?" The Blue Ridge Parkway is not only THE place to experience fall colors in North Carolina but possibly America. Spanning 469 miles, you're treated to mountain views, waterfalls within a short hike, heart-dropping overlooks, and continuous beauty all from the comfort of your car.
Named after Whitewater Falls, the highest waterfall east of the Rockies, Whitewater Way is on HWY 281 between Sapphire and South Carolina. Points of interest include Gorges State Park and Nantahala National Forest.
The Hanging Rock Scenic Byway weaves you through gorgeous country roads with wide open spaces, the ancient Sauratown mountain chain, and historic towns like Danbury and Andy Griffith's Mayberry. With this one, the destination is just as gorgeous as the drive. Pay a visit to Hanging Rock, Pilot Mountain (or both) to make the most of fall in the Piedmont.
Journey through some of the most untouched and remote sections of the Pisgah National Forest. This byway both rivals and sometimes runs parallel to the Blue Ridge Parkway.
On US 64, for 98 miles you're treated to waterfalls just off the road, quaint small towns, and mountain views. Waterfall Byway is a nice escape from the crowded Blue Ridge Parkway...with equally beautiful sights and stops included.
For a completely different way to experience fall, the byway starts in Elizabethtown on the eastern side of the state and takes you through some of the most fertile farmland in North Carolina.
Pay a visit to the highest point east of the Mississippi, then hop on this byway for some more incredible views. You'll travel through the highest mountain peaks and onto sweeping valleys. Artists will especially love this one as there are several galleries along the way.
If you love the scenic drive, but also consider yourself a bit of an adrenaline junkie, the Tail of the Dragon is home to 318 curves in only 11 miles...whoa!
Winding through North Carolina's own Napa Valley, with several vineyards along the way, wine lovers will absolutely love this drive! You get rolling hills and valleys with the foothills in the distance (plus wine). You might have to bring a DD for this one.
With the Atlantic Ocean on one side and Pamlico Sound on the other, there's no dense forest with bright foliage and certainly no mountain views but this drive treats you to completely different beauty. It's gorgeous year-round and you can make the most of it in the fall when the crowds are at a minimum and temperatures are perfect. It's one of the most scenic byways in North Carolina.
Have you embarked on any of the best fall drives in North Carolina? Let us know! And make sure to check out our Ultimate Road Trip Packing List before you hit the road.
Sure, the mountains claim most of the beauty this time of year, but the Outer Banks Scenic Byway could quite possibly be the most beautiful drive, year-round, in America.
If you haven't experienced fall in North Carolina, then can you say you've truly experienced fall? With gorgeous, bright foliage, a whole Parkway with incredible views, and even hiking trails to get a remote experience, autumn in North Carolina is simply heaven on Earth. While one can just hop on the Blue Ridge Parkway and be rewarded with some amazing sights, there are additional must-see places where the foliage is breathtaking. Take this road trip to see fall foliage in North Carolina for an unforgettable seasonal experience. Ready to get started? First, make sure you've checked the best times to see foliage in NC. Then don't forget to bring the snacks then gas up the car and we'll be on our way!
Following the map, you'll start at Grandfather Mountain, drive south through the mountains and towards Asheville, head a little east for Chimney Rock, a little more south for Dupont State Forest and Looking Glass Falls, and finally, out west for Max Patch. The total time is around 5 hours and 49 minutes, with the Blue Ridge Parkway being your key route from point A to point B. While this could be done in a day, we'd suggest breaking up the trip into a few days so you can make the most of every gorgeous stop and even create some of your own stops along the way. This is, after all, North Carolina in the fall and it is stunning, so are you ready to hit the road?
Our fall foliage road trip in North Carolina begins at none other than Grandfather Mountain. This is a great introduction to the fall colors in North Carolina. Even the drive to the top of Grandfather treats you with amazing fall views. When you reach the top, take a walk across the Mile High Swinging Bridge. From here, you'll be treated to gorgeous, 360-degree views of the Blue Ridge Mountains, abundant in fall colors. After your trip to Grandfather, Linn Cove Viaduct is only five minutes away. You must drive on this iconic section of the Blue Ridge for an epic fall experience! The Mile High Swinging Bridge is one of the coolest bridges in North Carolina! Make sure you check out this short video from Grandfather Mountain to get just a taste of what it is like:
Fall is the perfect time to visit one of the most popular falls in North Carolina. A quick hike on Erwin's View Trail will take you to an especially memorable viewpoint. Bring your camera! Linville Falls is beautiful year-round, but autumn is a particularly good time to visit. Check out this Adventuring in the Moment video to see all of the different viewpoints and what the hike looks like.
If you are looking for fall foliage in North Carolina then this is the place to go. As the Grand Canyon of the East Coast, Linville Gorge is breathtaking any time of the year. There are so many fantastic hikes in the
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Linville Gorge area.If you want to make a quick detour, check out the overlook known as Wiseman's View.
Nature is always beautiful on its own, but to add that perfect, elegant touch to your fall foliage road trip in North Carolina, what a better stop than the luxurious Biltmore Estate? Billed as America's largest home, this place is incredible. Check out this video from Biltmore that showcases interesting facts about the property.
This 535-million-year-old granite monolith is incredible year-round, but you can't beat the fall views. At the top of the 315-foot granite outcropping, you're treated to 75-mile, panoramic views of Hickory Nut Gorge and Lake Lure. Chimney Rock is one of the best attractions in North Carolina, for sure! Make sure to check out this video of the area by Youtuber Outside Chronicles.
DuPont State Forest is an amazing 10,473-acre state park. Home to rushing waterfalls, hiking trails, and camping spots, it's the perfect place for a full weekend of fall foliage. The most popular trail is the 3-mile waterfall hike that takes you to Hooker, Triple, and High Falls. Some of the hikes in DuPont State Forest are absolutely phenomenal.
Looking Glass Falls is spectacularly beautiful, and this 60-ft. waterfall takes on a whole new beauty come autumn. Surrounded by dense forest, the colors light up around the fall. From the parking area, it's only a brisk walk to witness the beauty. You can't beat such an easy-access waterfall! Take a look at this incredible waterfall with this Adventuring in the Moment video.
As the final stop on our fall foliage road trip in North Carolina, Max Patch offers something completely different. Located near the Tennessee border, Max Patch is a grassy bald and one of the few places with such unique scenery in North Carolina. From the top of this wide-open field, you can take in 360-mountain views. To end the trip perfectly, pitch a tent and spend the weekend in a unique oasis. Max Patch is often called the crown jewel of the Appalachian Trail for its unmatched beauty.
There you have it, our complete road trip to see fall foliage in North Carolina. What did you think? Don't forget to bring along this map for your trip.
Have you visited any of these places in the fall, or now want to try the road trip for yourself? What are some of your favorite destinations for fall colors in North Carolina? If you're craving more, these destinations in North Carolina offer breathtaking fall views. You can also read as to when do leaves change in NC.
