Chase the Fall Colors: Why Fall is a Great Time to Visit Black Mountain, NC
If you’re visiting the southeastern U.S. and want to see the glorious colors of fall foliage, here's a little secret: Black Mountain, North Carolina.
Our town of Black Mountain is nestled in the heart of Western North Carolina (WNC). We’re located at the foot of our namesake mountain, which is part of the Appalachian’s Blue Ridge Mountain range. The Blue Ridge and its well-known Parkway stretch through dramatic changes in elevation, including nearby Mount Mitchell.
Mount Mitchell State Park. Map source: https://cnyhiking.com/BRP-MountMitchellStatePark.htm
Higher elevations in WNC can begin showing scattered fall colors as early as late September, with the majority of trees change during October and early November as the color progresses down the mountainsides and into the valleys. Here’s our handy guide:
Late September: Head for the high elevations
The first signs of autumn typically start appearing at elevations above 6,000 feet. As the highest peak east of the Mississippi River, Mount Mitchell rises to 6,684 feet so nearby Mount Mitchell State Park is a great place for spotting those early fall colors.
Hikes along Mount Mitchell range from easy to challenging, so if you’re a first-time visitor, we recommend you do your homework before hitting the trail: https://www.ncparks.gov/state-parks/mount-mitchell-state-park
Mid October: Explore the Parkway
As the season advances, the changes in foliage move downhill and mid-elevation areas between 4,000–5,000 feet begin to hit their stride. This is a great time to explore overlooks, scenic drives and trails along the Blue Ridge Parkway.
Black Mountain is located in the Pisgah Region of the Parkway. Mount Pisgah (peak elevation 5,721 feet) offers many gorgeous trails of various lengths and difficulty.
AllTrails is a terrific resource for discovering other parks and trails in our immediate area: https://www.alltrails.com/us/north-carolina/black-mountain
Prefer to hike with a guide? There are many privately-owned organizations that offer group hikes, including our Town’s own popular Arm’s Length Adventures Series: https://www.discoverblackmountain.org/blog/outdoor-adventures-are-at-an-arms-length-in-black-mountain-nc
Late October - Early November: Nestle into Black Mountain
By late October or early November, fall colors have usually reached the lower elevations, making it the ideal time to combine fall scenery with all these other great reasons to visit Black Mountain: our walkable downtown, locally-owned shops, chef-driven restaurants, art galleries, breweries, live music, and plenty of places to sit awhile and enjoy the season.
Keep in mind that no matter where you are in the world, Mother Nature is full of surprises. The timing and brilliance of fall foliage year after year is impacted by the weather, rainfall, and temperature as well as elevation.
Make Black Mountain, NC Your Home Base
In addition to all the great hiking, Western North Carolina is a very popular destination for families, micro-brewery enthusiasts, gem and mineral buffs, music lovers, foodies, gardeners, antique collectors, and those who love arts and crafts.
In Black Mountain: you don't have to choose between natural beauty and hometown charm. We have both! Our town also has a wide range of accommodations, from traditional hotels and historic inns to boutique properties and mountainside vacation rentals. CLICK HERE to start planning your Black Mountain getaway!
About the Author
This blog story was written by Amy J. Schultz, an award-winning author, brand/marketing strategist, and overall creative type. She, her husband Brian, and their giant dog Bentley love their downtown Black Mountain neighborhood.
