Best Places to See Fall Foliage in Appalachia (2025 Travel Guide)

Autumn in Appalachia: When and Where Peak Color Happens

As I write this in the last week of August, the mountains are giving their first subtle hints that fall foliage in Appalachia is sneaking up. For the past week here in North Georgia, the overnight temperatures dipped into the mid-50s. Daytime temperatures are roughly 20 degrees warmer, but still not particularly hot.

To those who live here, this is the best time of the year. For us, it is the perfect balance of cool and warm. Our many Floridian visitors, however, will say daytime temps are chilly and overnight it is downright arctic.

Even though the calendar shows summer is still booked in for another month or so, it’s time to start thinking of autumn. The corn is tall in the fields. Stag horns, scraped free of velvet, are hardening for the fall rut. Apple tree branches are full of ripening fruit.
Soon, the uniform green of the mountainsides will change to a riot of color. No matter how long you’ve lived in or visited the mountains, the explosion of yellows, reds, and oranges in peak leaf season is breathtaking.

What triggers fall color

We all know that autumn in Appalachia brings the leaf change. But few of us know why. Here’s your earth science or botany lesson of the day:

But the big, beautiful show of color is not guaranteed. Freezing nights and heavy wind force leaves to fall early, leaving bare trees and a mediocre leaf-looking season. 2024 in the North Georgia and Western North Carolina mountains were just so-so compared to other recent seasons.

Why some years “pop” and others fade

Factors that raise or lower color quality and duration:

• Temperature & moisture drive intensity and duration. Warm, sunny days + cool nights help. Heat waves, late-season storms, or drought mute color or push it earlier/later.
• Late-summer rainfall: Adequate soil moisture supports pigment formation. Severe drought can shorten peak and mute reds.
• Early cold snaps: A quick frost can dull color or push leaves off marginal species. Nipping winds on exposed ridges take leaves in a day. Keep a valley fallback list.
• Storm timing: A soaking rain followed by sun can look good. A windstorm on a Saturday can flatten a weekend. Scan the next front and drive with the gradient.
• Climate trends are shifting timing in parts of the East; later color on average and more variability. Plan with wider windows and watch weekly reports.

Peak leaf-looking time is a moving target

Appalachia is a diverse and sprawling region spanning several climate zones by latitude and even more by elevation. Elevation and latitude are the determining factors in leaf timing. High ridges turn first, then mid-slopes, then valleys and foothills.

Northern highlands (southern NY, northern PA) start late September to early October. Weekly state foliage reports show Catskills and parts of the Southern Tier near or at peak in early to mid-October most years.

Pennsylvania typically peaks in waves from north to south from early to late October. DCNR posts county-level maps weekly.

Virginia & West Virginia high ridges often peak mid-October, with valleys a week or two later. (Shenandoah and the Allegheny Highlands follow that pattern.) National Park Service

North Carolina & Tennessee high peaks (4,000–6,000 feet) can hit mid-October; mid-elevations and foothills follow late October into early November. National Park Service

Georgia, South Carolina Upstate, North Alabama usually peak from late October to early/mid-November, later at the southern end (e.g., Little River Canyon). Georgia State Parks+1National Park Service

The Appalachian Regional Commission defines Appalachia’s extent (423 counties across 13 states). Our Appalachian Fall Foliage Guide 2025 map uses that federally recognized footprint to frame the timing bands.

Where to go (and how busy it gets)

If you’re looking for a solitary pursuit, leaf-looking is not it. Throughout most of Appalachia, autumn is peak tourist season, eclipsing even the pleasant summers. For the most part, be prepared for traffic, long lines at restaurants, and lots of tourists competing for the best spots to take colorful selfies.

Below are well-known spots with typical peak windows and real visitation stats so you can anticipate crowds. When a fall-specific month is available, I included it; otherwise, annual figures show scale. The peak windows are planning ranges. Elevation can shift these by a few days.

Catskill Park, New York (northern terminus of Appalachia)

Peak window: Early to mid-October at mid- to high-elevations. The highest ridges can tip in late September. I LOVE NY’s weekly reports cover the region every fall.  I Love New York+1

Crowds: The Catskill Center and regional advocacy cite more than 1.7 million annual visitors to Catskill Park. High-use sites like Kaaterskill Falls surge on sunny weekends. Plan sunrise arrivals. Catskill Center

Poconos, Pennsylvania

Peak window: Early to mid-October, with higher ridges first. Use the PMVB forecast and DCNR weekly maps to pick zones week by week. Poconos Mountains and Pennsylvania Government

Crowds: The Pocono Mountains region sees 27–30 million visitors annually across the four counties. Expect weekend congestion at popular lakes and overlooks. Poconos Mountains and WNEP

Laurel Highlands, Pennsylvania

Peak window: Mid-October, a bit earlier on the highest ridges in Forbes State Forest. DCNR’s Thursday reports track Somerset, Fayette, and Westmoreland counties. Pennsylvania Government

Crowds:Tourism spending in the region topped $1.9–$2.0 billion recently, a proxy for heavy travel through fall at Ohiopyle and nearby parks. Smoky Mountain News

Hocking Hills, Ohio

Peak window: Mid- to late October. Track Ohio DNR’s weekly map for live shifts. Ohio Department of Natural Resources

Crowds: Hocking Hills draws more than 4 million visitors annually, with October at the top of the demand curve. Arrive at Old Man’s Cave and Ash Cave at dawn or late afternoon. The Statehouse News Bureau and Axios

Shenandoah National Park, Virginia

Peak window: Mid- to late-October along Skyline Drive, earlier on the highest overlooks. Pennsylvania Government

Crowds: Shenandoah recorded about 1.5 million visits in 2023 and over 1.7 million in 2024. Fall is the most popular season. Weekday sunrise passes help. National Park Service and Shenandoah National Park Trust

Roanoke and Virginia’s Blue Ridge

Peak window: Mid- to late-October in town. Highest Parkway overlooks near Roanoke turn a shade earlier.
Crowds: The Blue Ridge Parkway sits at or near the top of all NPS units. It counted 16.7 million visits in 2024 systemwide. October is historically one of its heaviest months, approaching about 2 million visits in that month alone in past years. Expect busy lots at noon. Use sunrise and sunset windows. National Parks Traveler and National Park Service

New River Gorge National Park and Preserve, West Virginia

Peak window: Mid-October in the gorge and late September to early October on the highest rims.

Crowds: The park set back-to-back records, with about 1.7 million visits in 2023 and more than 1.8 million in 2024. Plan sunrise at Long Point or use lesser-used lots for Endless Wall. West Virginia Public Broadcasting and WCHS

Big Stone Gap, Virginia

Peak window: Mid- to late-October in Powell Valley. Nearby High Knob runs earlier.

Crowds: No single number covers town visitation, but this base gives fast access to Jefferson National Forest and the high-low elevation mix that stretches peak across two weeks.

Red River Gorge, Kentucky

Peak window: Late October into early November. Cliffs, arches, and Natural Bridge give both ridge and valley views.

Crowds: Advocacy and planning groups estimate about 750,000 annual visitors across the gorge area. Trailhead space is tight. Start at dawn and keep a backup loop. Red River Gorge United and Cincinnati Magazine

Cumberland Falls State Resort Park, Kentucky

Peak window: Mid- to late-October for the surrounding forest.

Crowds: Local officials cite roughly 800,000 to 1,000,000 annual visitors. Moonbow nights and leaf weekends stack demand. The Lexington Herald

Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Tennessee and North Carolina

Peak window: Early October on the highest ridges, mid- to late-October at mid-elevations, late October to early November in valleys. This spread is why color feels long here.

Crowds: The Smokies recorded 12.2 million visits in 2024. In 2023 the park topped 1 million visits in each month June through October, and October is typically the single busiest month of the year. Adjust routes and start early. National Park Service+1

Lookout Mountain, Tennessee

Peak window: Late October into early November on brow vistas over the Tennessee River.

Crowds: Chattanooga promotes a fall surge across Ruby Falls, Rock City, and the Incline Railway. Book timed tickets when offered and stage sunrise or late-day visits. Visit ChattanoogaLMA

Asheville, North Carolina and the North Carolina segment of the Blue Ridge Parkway

Peak window: Highest Parkway overlooks near Asheville color in early to mid-October. In town peaks often arrive late October into early November.

Crowds: Parkway use spikes in October. Explore Asheville’s monthly dashboards show strong fall demand patterns even with recent year-over-year shifts. National Park Service and Explore Asheville

Brasstown Bald, Georgia

Peak window: Mid- to late-October at the summit.

Crowds: Georgia ForestWatch notes 100,000+ annual visitors, making it the most visited recreation site in the Chattahoochee–Oconee National Forests. Park at opening or last hour for space and clear air. Georgia ForestWatch

Blue Ridge and Ellijay, Georgia

Peak window: Late October into early November in the lower valleys.

Crowds: The Georgia Apple Festival draws about 55,000 attendees across its October weekends, which increases traffic across Ellijay, East Ellijay, and US-76. If your dates align with the festival, book lodging and dinner times in advance. timescourier.com

Mentone, Alabama

Peak window: Late October to early November on Lookout Mountain brow roads and Little River Canyon overlooks.

Crowds: Fall festivals and weekend events push small-town capacity. Pair sunrise viewpoints with weekday drives. Regional wayfinding sites cover the 93-mile Lookout Mountain Parkway. Lookout Mountain

Tishomingo State Park, Mississippi

Peak window: Early November most years.

Crowds: Mississippi’s most talked-about hiking park in the Appalachian foothills sees cabins and campsites fill quickly on clear November weekends. Use Natchez Trace pullouts nearby as backups.

Planning your fall foliage in Appalachia trip with the map and table

Your pals here at Appalachian Experience know the importance of planning. To make planning your fall trip to the mountains a little easier, we put together resources based on past years’ weather and leaf-change data.

Use our Appalachian Foliage Guide 2025 map (Click here for a downloadable pdf) and the interactive table to plan a two- to three-week travel window that brackets your target area. Then watch weekly state reports:

• New York (Catskills/southern tier): weekly I LOVE NY reports.
• Pennsylvania: DCNR county map updated Thursdays.
• Virginia/Shenandoah: park advisories and facility calendars. National Park Service
• Blue Ridge Parkway: conditions and any weather-related closures or detours. National Park Service
• Georgia: Leaf Watch updates and suggested routes. Georgia State Parks
• Alabama: North Alabama foliage tracker and Little River Canyon updates. North Alabama and National Park Service

A few practical notes:

• Higher first, lower later. If you’re flexible, start at the highest overlooks (4,000–6,000 ft) then drop to mid-slopes and foothills the next week.
• Midweek beats weekends. You’ll get easier parking and better photos.
• Weather swing plan. Build one alternate location at lower or higher elevation in case a cold snap or storm shifts peak by several days
• Local microclimates and storm events can shift dates by a week or more.
• 2024 storm impacts: Sections of the Blue Ridge Parkway saw storm-related closures during peak; always check current conditions. Southern Living
• Use weekly state reports in September and October to fine-tune final dates.

Visitor numbers, at a glance for fall foliage in Appalachia planning

These figures give scale so you can decide how early to book and set realistic expectations. They shift year to year, but will tell you which places are most likely to jam on sunny October weekends.

Blue Ridge Parkway: 16.7 million visits in 2024 across the unit. October is historically one of the heaviest months. ~739k in Oct 2024 even with storm disruptions; 906k+ in Nov and 938k in Dec. Camper Champ and WLOS

Great Smoky Mountains NP: 12.2 million visits in 2024. In 2023 the park recorded over 1 million visits in each month from June through October. National Park Service+1

New River Gorge NP&P: 1.7 million in 2023 and more than 1.8 million in 2024. West Virginia Public Broadcasting and WCHS

Shenandoah NP: 1.5 million visits in 2023 and over 1.7 million in 2024. National Park Service and Shenandoah National Park Trust

Catskill Park: More than 1.7 million annual visitors. Catskill Center

Pocono Mountains region: 27–30 million visitors each year across four counties. Poconos Mountains

Ohiopyle State Park (PA): ~919k in 2024. TribLive Community

Laurel Highlands: Tourism spending near $2.0 billion indicates strong fall traffic across Ohiopyle and nearby parks. Smoky Mountain News

Hocking Hills: More than 4 million annual visitors. The Statehouse News Bureau

Blackwater Falls State Park: ~855,000 visits in FY2015, still useful as a scale marker for current demand. West Virginia State Parks

Red River Gorge, KY: ~750,000 annual visitors. Red River Gorge United

Cumberland Falls SRP, KY: ~800,000 to 1,000,000 visitors annually.WYMT

Brasstown Bald, GA: 100,000+ annual visitors at the recreation site. Georgia ForestWatch

Georgia Apple Festival, Ellijay: ~55,000 attendees across the two October weekends.timescourier.com

Blue Ridge Scenic Railway: ~78k riders annually; fall departures sell out fast. Blue Ridge Scenic Railway

Asheville area: ~14M annual visitors (2023); fall is a lead season.

A simple way to plan a two-week trip

• Week one, early to mid-October. Aim high. Catskills, Poconos ridges, Laurel Highlands ridgetops, Blackwater Falls, high Parkway overlooks, and high Smokies. Use sunrise to beat lots. Pennsylvania Government
• Week two, mid- to late October. Step down. Hocking Hills, New River Gorge, Skyline Drive mid elevations, Roanoke overlooks, Brasstown Bald, Asheville midslope hikes, Cumberland Falls, Red River Gorge. Ohio Department of Natural Resources
• End of October into early November. Work the southern valleys and brow roads. Blue Ridge and Ellijay, Lookout Mountain, Mentone, and Tishomingo State Park.

Practical crowd-control tactics

• Start at civil twilight. Many lots cycle every 60 to 90 minutes once the first wave leaves.
• Target weekdays for the Blue Ridge Parkway, the Smokies, Hocking Hills, and New River Gorge. The Parkway’s October visitation often approaches about 2 million visits. National Park Service
• Keep a second overlook at a different elevation within 30 minutes. It takes the sting out of a windy front.
• Watch park and state pages for weekly bulletins and closures. NPS and state agencies update often during fall. National Park Service

Final fall foliage planning notes

Use weekly state and park reports for fine-grain timing. New York, Pennsylvania, and Ohio publish consistent bulletins and maps during the season. I Love New York, Pennsylvania Government, Ohio Department of Natural Resources

Treat the Blue Ridge Parkway and the Smokies like urban corridors in October. Arrival time is your best lever. National Park Service+1

Pair crowded headline overlooks with lesser-used backups. For example, parkways south of Boone can be calmer than the Craggy Gardens area when Asheville is at mid-elevation peak.

Read our other blogs about mountain traveling:

What to Look For When Renting a Cabin in the Mountains

Driving in the Appalachian Mountains

What You Need to Hike in the Appalachian Mountains

Happy traveling!