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North Carolina fall foliage

In a typical year, fall color in North Carolina peaks from about October 7 around Mount Mitchell (6,684 ft) to about November 3 around Raleigh (320 ft).

Updated

Peak calendar

Bars show the typical best-viewing window for each destination. The dark mark is the typical peak. The last column shows today’s status.

DestinationSep 1Oct 1Nov 1Today
Mount MitchellPeak Oct 7 · best Oct 6–Oct 14
Peak Oct 7
HighlandsPeak Oct 18 · best Oct 16–Oct 25
Peak Oct 18
Blowing RockPeak Oct 19 · best Oct 17–Oct 26
Peak Oct 19
BoonePeak Oct 20 · best Oct 18–Oct 27
Peak Oct 20
AshevillePeak Oct 26 · best Oct 25–Nov 2
Peak Oct 26
CharlottePeak Nov 2 · best Oct 31–Nov 8
Peak Nov 2
RaleighPeak Nov 3 · best Nov 2–Nov 10
Peak Nov 3

Trees behind the color

Common questions

When is peak fall foliage in North Carolina?

In a typical year, fall color in North Carolina peaks from about October 7 around Mount Mitchell (6,684 ft) to about November 3 around Raleigh (320 ft). Timing can shift by about a week in either direction depending on the weather.

Where does fall color peak first in North Carolina?

Mount Mitchell is usually first among the North Carolina destinations we track, with peak around October 7. Higher and more northern spots turn before lower and more southern ones.

Where is the latest fall color in North Carolina?

Raleigh usually peaks last, around November 3. If you miss peak up high, head downhill or toward the coast.

What trees give North Carolina its fall color?

The biggest contributors here include sugar maple, red maple, tulip tree, sassafras, black gum, flowering dogwood.

Check any town or ZIP code in North Carolina.

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