When is Peak Fall Foliage in Asheville [2023 Predictions]

L

ast September, my husband and I moved from Denver, Colorado to Black Mountain, North Carolina. We enjoyed fall in the Rocky Mountains but had no idea what was in store in the Blue Ridge Mountains.

Fall foliage in Colorado’s mountains is typically a two-week window and is prominently yellow thanks to the glorious Aspen trees. While fall foliage in Western North Carolina is a six-week, full-color show. 

In this blog post, we’ll discuss how to experience fall foliage in Asheville. You’ll learn:

There is No Peak Day or Week in Asheville for Fall Leaves

Before we discuss fall foliage predictions, let’s clear up a common misconception. When we first moved last year, I wanted to know “When does fall foliage peak in Asheville?” Turns out, there is no exact “peak” – because Asheville is surrounded by mountains that sit at varying elevations. 

Leaves change colors based on their elevation and species. 

The good news is if you visit Asheville between late September to mid-November, you are bound to see leaves changing somewhere. Depending on when you’re visiting the area, be prepared to drive to higher or lower-elevation areas to see more leaves.

Ideal Weather Conditions for Fall Foliage in Asheville

If you’re trying to predicate the fall foliage, join the party. Here are three weather factors that can create ideal fall foliage weather conditions in Asheville and Western North Carolina. According to experts, the weather conditions in September will have the most significant impact on fall foliage in Asheville.

Where to See Fall Foliage in Asheville [2023 Predictions]

Planning a trip to Asheville or a leaf-peeping adventure? Here is an overview of the 2023 fall predictions of where to see fall foliage in Asheville. 

Timeframe	Elevation	Amount of Change	Ideal Places to Visit to See Fall Foliage
Late September – Early October 2023	Above 6,000 feet	Minimal to partial	Blue Ridge Parkway especially, Graveyard Fields, Grandfather Mountain, Craggy Garden
Mid-October 2023	Between 4,000-5,000 feet	Minimal to peak changes	Blue Ridge Parkway, especially Black Balsam Knob, Devil’s Courthouse, Mount Pisgah Great Smoky Mountains National Park, especially Max Patch
Late-October 2023	Between 2,000-5,000 feet	Partial to peak changes	Blue Ridge Parkway, especially Linville Gorge Black Mountain, especially Pisgah National Forest Downtown Asheville, Biltmore, North Carolina Arboretum
Early-Mid November 2023	Early-Mid November 2023	Peak changes with some leaves left	Biltmore, North Carolina Arboretum, Chimney Rock State Park Hendersonville, especially DuPont State Forest

For more fall foliage predictions and an interactive map, visit Explore Asheville’s Fall Color Map.

Where to See Fall Foliage in Late September – Early October

The earliest the fall foliage in Asheville is predicted to change in 2023 is during the last week in September. If you’re traveling to Asheville from late September through the first weekend in October, you most likely won’t see leaves changing in Asheville, but you should be able to see peeps of some of the higher mountains surrounding Asheville.  

To see more fall foliage begin to turn, visit mountain areas with elevation above 6,000 feet. Explore mountain areas southwest or northwest of Asheville including:

Where to See Fall Foliage in Mid-October

From around October 10 through October 23, the fall foliage 2023 predictions indicate minimal color changes in the Asheville area. To see partial to peak changes, visit these locations at higher elevations between 4,000-5,000 feet:

Where to See Fall Foliage in Late-October

Starting around October 23 through October 31, you’ll be able to see a minimal leaf change in areas west of Asheville with lower elevations like Marion and Hickory. 

To watch the partial color change to peak, visit these Western North Carolina areas between 2,000-5,000 feet:

Where to See Fall Foliage in Early to Mid-November

By early November, there should still be some leaves on the trees, especially in Asheville, Hendersonville, and Black Mountain. 

To witness the final peak, visit these Western North Carolina areas close to Asheville that are at lower elevations between 1,000-2,000 feet:

Take a Leaf of Faith

Have you been dreaming about leaf peeping in Asheville? Join me in trying something new! If you visit in late September through mid-November, according to 2023 fall foliage predictions, Western North Carolina will be putting on a show for you. No ticket required.