We talked to three biologists about how and when to plan a trip to see peak fall color in North Carolina, their favorite hikes and overlooks, and why our mountains are one of the best places in the country to see stunning autumn leaves.
blue ridge parkway
NC Icons: Mountain Primer
Find out what makes our ancient Appalachian Mountains so magnificent in this primer on our peaks.
Wineries, Wildflowers, & Waterfalls at the First Peak of the Blue Ridge
Take a trip to three historic mountain towns, where you’ll marvel at rushing water and nature’s beauty, then settle in and sip a glass of wine.
The Blowing Rock: A Love Story
At more than a billion years old, this ancient outcrop captured human imagination, inspired a legend, and became one of the state’s earliest travel attraction. Our fascination with The Blowing Rock endures — and keeps drawing us west.
Dawn’s Early Light
On New Year’s Day and each frosty morning after, dawn breaks clear and bright across our state, from coastal whitecaps to mountain snowcaps. In North Carolina, the brilliance of a winter sunrise brings the promise of fresh possibilities.
Joy Rides in Blowing Rock
In a private showroom in Watauga County, an early trailblazer in online auto sales collects life-size versions of the toy cars of Christmases past.
7 Mountain Drives to Take in North Carolina This Fall
Head west to discover stunning views, picture-perfect overlooks, and incredible pit stops — hint: waterfalls! — along our scenic roads and byways.
Sleep Beneath the Stars at 6 North Carolina Campgrounds
S’mores, ghost stories, and crisp fall air — in autumn, the land of the pines is a camping paradise. Discover six incredible spots to pitch a tent from mountains to coast.
Storybook Stays in Hendersonville
A couple has transformed Brightwaters, a former resort tucked among the hardwoods of Henderson County, into a compound of cozy cabins where vacationers are writing a fresh chapter on Blue Ridge getaways.
