Where to See Fall Leaves in Asheville—A Local’s Perspective

Living in Asheville, the signs of the seasons are easy to catch. The rusty tinge on the edge of the leaves. Plastic gourds piled up in the grocery stores. Candy corn boasting a new pumpkintastic flavor. Hippies howling at the moon in celebration of the equinox.

There can be no dispute: fall is upon us, once again. And so, it comes time for me to break down for you some of the best places to see fall leaves in Asheville. It’s a symphony of color, folks, and you’d be remiss to miss it on your autumnal visit to the mountains.

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1: Rough Ridge

Just one of the many points-of-interest along the Tanawha Trail, Rough Ridge offers rolling views of technicolor piedmonts, as well as Grandfather Mountain, one of the region’s signature peaks. Park at the overlook on Parkway mile marker 302.8, hop on the trail head, and follow the signs towards Linn Cove. You’ll be right on your way to some of the finest fall colors in the greater Asheville area.

The hike runs 1.2 miles round-trip. It's strenuous in some portions, and often muddy in others, but a great stretch of its length does lie atop a raised boardwalk, which I find makes for a measure of ease. Plus, the trail passes a bounty of flat-ish boulders, perfect for catching your breath, taking in the view, or partaking of a picnic.

Distance from Asheville: About an hour and a half.

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2: The Orchard at Altapass

They say you can’t get away with visiting Asheville in the fall without going apple picking. Luckily for you, I know just the place.

The Orchard at Altapass lies on the Parkway, hemmed in by blue ridgelines and flocks of butterflies.

This is one of the more civilized destinations to see fall leaves in Asheville, with their general store vending jams, jellies, honey, fudge, and ice-cream. You may also enjoy live performances here by local musicians on the weekends, from 2:30pm to 4:30pm (until October 31st).

On Friday through Sundays, local guides can lead you out to hotspots of fruity ripeness within the sprawling orchards. If you’re more in a mood for a hike, take the 2.6 mile loop across lands both cultivated and wild, adorned with plenty of fall color.

Distance from Asheville: One hour.

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3: Chimney Rock State Park

Although Chimney Rock is one of the better-known local sites, I still believe it deserves my endorsement on account of its excellent views. Now admission does run at $17 for adults (and $8 for children) but let me break down just what that buys you.

Drive on to their upper parking lot, and you’re only 500 steps (or a single elevator ride) away from a pinnacle with downright dominating views. You can imagine how vivid that can be during these vibrant months. Any similarly exalted overlook is going to entail some hardcore hiking, believe you me.

However, if you are looking for a hike, the Hickory Nut Falls trail runs 1.5 miles roundtrip, and takes you down into the fall colors themselves. This path provides plentiful benches and picnic tables and ends at the precipitous falls themselves.

Distance from Asheville: Forty-five minutes.

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4: Beaver Lake Bird Sanctuary

Whereas Chimney Rock is well-known, Beaver Lake is one of Asheville’s hidden gems. I’m ashamed to say that even I, your local expert, have only recently learned of it.

At Beaver Lake you’ll find about 0.5 miles of boardwalk stretches over sonorous wetlands, with lots of places to stop and enjoy the birdsong. It's one of the more leisurely places to see fall leaves in Asheville.

The Audubon Society offers guided bird-walks on the first Saturday of each month, setting off at 9am in October through March, and 8am the rest of the year.

I’m no birder, folks, but even with my layman’s knowledge, I can tell you that Beaver Lake boasts quite the collection of avians. You've got northern shovelers. Brown-headed cowbirds. Yellow-bellied sapsuckers, foot-geese, coots, the lesser saucy swaletail, and you’re not going to believe this last one: American crows.

Distance from Asheville: Best of all, it's in Asheville. Just ten minutes from downtown.

Image from Wix

5: Rainbow Falls

Located within Gorges State Park ), Rainbow Falls has got to be one of the most magnificent waterfalls near Asheville, and its beauty is only magnified by those glorious fall colors. Accessed from the trailhead at the Grassy Ridge parking lot, I'd say this 3-mile roundtrip hike is not for the faint of heart. Lots of uphill and downhill sections, the not infrequent creek-crossing and a finale composed of some particularly steep steps.

However, all this tribulation terminates in an unobstructed view of Rainbow Falls, whose mists, through inexplicable prismatic mechanics, reliably produce rainbows in the pre-noon hours. You may be tempted to rest your heels at the waterfall’s first viewing-station, but it's just a little ways further down to the lower observation deck, close enough to taste the spray. If you can endure the hike, or if you’re looking for a more vigorous walk, Rainbow Falls has all the explosive fall pigments you could wish for, plus a little bit more.

Distance from Asheville: About an hour and fifteen minutes.

Businesses Mentioned

Rough Ridge

3218 Blue Rdg Pkwy, Linville, NC 28646

The Orchard at Altapass

(828)-765-9531

1025 Orchard Rd, Spruce Pine, NC 28777

Chimney Rock State Park

(828)-625-9611

431 Main St, Chimney Rock, NC 28720

Beaver Lake Bird Sanctuary

1056 Merrimon Ave, Asheville, NC 28804

Gorges State Park

(828)-966-9099

976 Grassy Ridge Rd, Sapphire, NC 28774