Ask anyone who lives in the High Country about their favorite time of year and most will say October. The ridges turn red, orange and gold, the air turns crisp, and the drive into Valle Crucis looks like a postcard. It’s also the busiest time of year in Banner Elk and Boone, so it pays to plan ahead.
When do the leaves turn?
Color comes earliest at the highest elevations and works its way down the mountains. Around Banner Elk and Valle Crucis, the best color usually arrives in October, with the high peaks often turning first. Every year is different, depending on rain and temperatures over the summer, so if you have a flexible group, keep an eye on local fall color reports as your trip gets closer.
The Blue Ridge Parkway
The stretch of the Blue Ridge Parkway between Blowing Rock and Grandfather Mountain is about 9 miles from the house and one of the best leaf drives in the region. Stop at Moses H. Cone Memorial Park, walk the easy loop around Price Lake, then continue to the Linn Cove Viaduct as it curves around Grandfather Mountain. Check the NPS road status page before you set off.
Grandfather Mountain
For the view from the top, Grandfather Mountain is hard to beat in October. Buy timed-entry tickets online early, as fall weekends are busy.
Festivals and fall days out
Sugar Mountain holds its Oktoberfest on the second weekend in October, with free admission. In the evenings, Tweetsie Railroad runs its Ghost Train on Friday and Saturday nights through October, which is a big hit with kids.
Watching the color from the porch
You don’t have to go far to see it. Valle View Retreat looks out over mountains and pastures, and the front porch rockers are the best seats in the house on a crisp fall morning. In the evening, light the fire pit and pull up an Adirondack chair.
Book early
October weekends fill up fast across the High Country, often months ahead. If you have dates in mind, it’s worth securing them early.