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?

1. Grandfather Mountain

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:

2. Linville Falls

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.

3. Linville Gorge

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

Linville Gorge area.If you want to make a quick detour, check out the overlook known as Wiseman's View.

The safe but still heart-dropping rocky overlook allows you to experience Linville Gorge without any hiking.

4. Biltmore Estates

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.

5. Chimney Rock

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.

6. DuPont State Forest

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.

7. Looking Glass Falls

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.

8. Max Patch

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.