Your guide to find the best in fall leaf color, avoiding traffic, find festivals and family fun!
We have festivals posted for Western North Carolina and Northeast Georgia!
Be sure to scroll down to see several area web cams and follow the color changes to plan your trip!
2023 Fall Leaf Lookers Guide - Menu
Why do leaves change color? Think you know why???
2023 Fall Colors Forecast / Reports
Tips to Enjoy a Fall Leaf Colors Trip
2023 Western North Carolina Fall Leaf Color Map and Events
Peak Colors by Elevation
2023 Northeast Georgia Fall Leaf Colors Info and Events
Fall Leaf Color Web Cams
You may learn something here! Scientific American editor Mark Fischetti explains how the leaves of deciduous trees perform their annual chameleon act, changing from various shades of green to hues of bronze, orange and brilliant red.
2023 Fall Colors Forecast
9/19/2023 Update:
Temps dipped into the mid-40s last night setting the stage for great red colors to start showing. It will take another week for colors to really start to show as leaves need more shade and longer nights to get the season really in high gear. The shadows are here with the sun lower in the sky and this Saturday is the Fall Equinox which means the length of day and night is equal. After this weekend, we will have less daylight.
With good rainfall this year we do not have the concern of a drought impacting the colors.
Bottom Line: Our peak color dates by elevation are on target!
Scroll down for our projected 2023 Fall Leaf Color by Elevation
These maples overlooking the Sapphire Valley Resort's pickleball courts provide a good tease as to the brilliant yellows that will show in a couple of weeks! Image taken Sept 19, 2023.
The region owes its extended autumnal glory to the diverse range of elevations it encompasses. The mesmerizing cascade of Fall colors commences at the highest peaks in early October, painting the landscape with an array of fiery hues. As the days progress, the stunning spectacle gradually descends to lower elevations, creating an awe-inspiring journey of changing colors that extends well into early November. With such a prolonged and captivating show, it's no wonder that tens of thousands of people are drawn to experience the magic of Fall in the Blue Ridge Mountains each year.
Tips to enjoy Fall Leave Colors:
1. Travel during the week if you can
2. Pack water, snacks and patience
3. Book a vacation rental NOW
[Find a vacation rentals here]
4. Call ahead for dining reservations or info
[Top Restaurants around The High South]
5. If this a day trip only, have a full tank of gas before you head up!
2023 Western North Carolina
Fall Leaf Color Map and Events
Fall Color Map for North Carolina
created by The Biology Department at Appalachian State University is a great resource to plan your trip. Please visit their web site for the full image and to learn more about this map!
Go to: [https://biology.appstate.edu/fall-colors/fall-color-map-north-carolina]
2023 Western North Carolina Fall Leaf Color Events
2023 Western North Carolina Fall Leaf Color
Road Conditions (Georgia conditions below!)
Road Conditions
The North Carolina Department of Transportation maintains a great map of North Carolina showing construction zones, road closures due to weather as well as traffic congestion.
[NCDOT Traffic Map]
Northeast Georgia Map below!
Above 4500' - October 8 - 15
Towns at this elevation: Sugar Mountain, Beech Mountain, Grandfather Mountain and some areas around Highlands in North Carolina and the peak of Brasstown Bald in North Georgia
3000-4500' - October 15 - 20
Towns at this elevation: Sapphire Valley, Highlands, The Highlands Outpost, and Cashiers in North Carolina. Sky Valley in Northeast Georgia
2000-3000' - October 18 - October 24
Towns at this elevation: Waynesville, Dillsboro North Carolina, Several Northeast Georgia towns are very close to 2000' including Blue Ridge, Hiawassee, Blairsville and Tallulah Falls.
Below 2000' - October 24 - early November
Towns at this elevation: While many species of tree will change before November, the bulk of color below 2000' will occur throughout the month. Bryson City, NC sits at 1752' with higher peaks all around. Dahlonega Georgia sits at 1450' while Helen Ga sits at 1444'
These are estimates! Like trying to pick the bottom or top of a stock market move, the best approach is to allow several days to travel around and enjoy the colors at various elevations - try not to time it to just one day!
2023 Northeast Georgia Fall Leaf Color Events
Road Conditions
The Georgia Department of Transportation maintains a great map of North Georgia with a trip planner and shows construction zones, road closures due to weather as well as traffic congestion.
[GADOT Traffic Map]
Brasstown Bald Web Cam
Elevation: 4784'
The highest point in Georgia!!!
This camera is looking north from Brasstown Bald over the Brasstown Wilderness area toward Hiawassee Georgia and just beyond into North Carolina
Be sure to hover your mouse over the camera feed for the full screen option in the lower right!
Camera courtesy and please visit:
ResortCams.com
Bryson City, NC
Downtown Bryson City
Elevation: 1752′
Bryson City, NC is a great small town located on the Tuckaseegee River and bordering the Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Camera courtesy and please visit:
Content/Camera: ExploreBrysonCity.com/ResortCams.com
Highlands, NC
Elevation: 4117"
Highlands, NC is one the highest towns in terms of elevation in this part of Western North Carolina.
Camera courtesy: The Town of Highlands
Visit: https://highlandsnc.org/
Whiteside Mountain
viewed from
Big Bear Pen Mountain
Elevation: 4930"
This is a great view of Whiteside Mountain. Easy access to a great hike with big views is available just off Highway 64 between Highlands and Cashiers, NC.
Hiking Info: [Hiking Whiteside Mountain]
Camera courtesy: The Town of Highlands
Visit: https://highlandsnc.org/
More Web Cams: We have several more webcams on this site - go here: [Area Web Cams]
Quick 9/12/2023 Update:
With cooler days and notably cooler nights the promise timely autumn foliage is on track. Domestic / farm raised trees are already showing color changes. Recent rains should help us avoid any drought conditions.
Bottom Line: Autumn is the clock and on time!
Labor Day Autumn Foliage Report:
Even on Labor Day, we're already noticing early hints of autumn colors, especially among some maples and dogwoods. The current weather conditions are favorable for vibrant foliage, but the forecast predicts above-average temperatures for the next few weeks, accompanied by a potential increase in rainfall. This combination might result in a delay and slightly muted autumn colors. As we know, it's the cooler weather that truly enhances the depth of these colors.
Our projected timeframes for the peak foliage at different elevations in The High South region remain unchanged and on schedule.
Stay tuned for more updates as we transition into the fall season!
August 6, 2023: Now less than 8 weeks from the 2023 Fall Color season in The High South, what can we expect?
Every year, an abundance of nature enthusiasts flock to the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, and North Georgia, allured by the breathtaking Fall foliage and vibrant colors. Renowned for one of the most splendid and prolonged leaf seasons on the planet, the Blue Ridge Mountains put on a dazzling display for visitors.
Great fall colors were hanging on for a few more days at 3200'. With rain moving in Oct 30, autumn colors will be done at and above this elevation. Lower elevations will continue to have a range of colors for a few more days.
Some content courtesy: https://biology.appstate.edu/fall-colors