Foliage map › Scenic drives › Blue Ridge Parkway: Blowing Rock to Mount Mitchell
Blue Ridge Parkway: Blowing Rock to Mount Mitchell fall foliage drive
This stretch of the Blue Ridge Parkway runs about 60 miles through the high country of North Carolina, from Blowing Rock past Grandfather Mountain and Linville Falls to Mount Mitchell, the highest peak east of the Mississippi. Mount Mitchell typically peaks first, around October 7, and Blowing Rock around October 19.
- Route
- Blue Ridge Parkway, mileposts 292 to 355
- From – to
- Blowing Rock to Mount Mitchell State Park
- Length
- About 60 miles
- Driving time
- About 1.5 hours without stops
- Typical peak
- Oct 7 – Oct 19
2026 foliage season
Typical season
Peak around October 19 at Blowing Rock. Turn on JavaScript to see today’s status and the five-week outlook.
Status shown for Blowing Rock, at 3,570 feet. See below for other points along the drive.
Peak along the route
Bars show the typical best-viewing window at each point. The dark mark is the typical peak. The last column shows today’s status.
Along the way
- Blowing Rock and Moses H. Cone Memorial Park, at the northern end.
- Rough Ridge, around milepost 302.8, where a short trail leads to a boardwalk with long views.
- The Linn Cove Viaduct, around milepost 304, where the parkway curves around the side of Grandfather Mountain.
- Linville Falls, around milepost 316, with trails to overlooks above the falls and the gorge.
- Mount Mitchell State Park, reached from milepost 355 on NC 128.
Short walks
The Rough Ridge trail is a short climb to a boardwalk with long views. At Linville Falls, trails lead to several overlooks above the falls and into the gorge. At Mount Mitchell, a short paved path leads to the summit.
Good to know
Sections of the parkway can close, so check its status before you go.
The season at Blowing Rock
Bar height shows how good the viewing typically is on each day, from September 1 through November 30. Colors show the stage, from green through peak red to bare.
Nearby destinations and guides
Trees you’ll see turning
Common questions
When is peak fall foliage on the Blue Ridge Parkway: Blowing Rock to Mount Mitchell?
In a typical year, color along the Blue Ridge Parkway: Blowing Rock to Mount Mitchell peaks from about October 7 at Mount Mitchell to about October 19 at Blowing Rock. Weather can shift the timing by about a week either way.
How long is the Blue Ridge Parkway: Blowing Rock to Mount Mitchell?
About 60 miles, Blowing Rock to Mount Mitchell State Park. About 1.5 hours without stops.
Peak dates come from the Leaves.com model of typical years. They are not live observations. How it works.