Fall in the Blue Ridge Mountains is one of the most magical seasons of the year. Mountaintops and summits, trails, waterfalls and small towns in McDowell County seem to glow during fall color season. It’s the perfect setting for wrapping up in your favorite cozy sweater, trying a dark beer from a local brewery on a chilly evening, or starting the morning with a pumpkin latte before heading out for a hike in those cool-weather boots.
So, it’s time to plan your Blue Ridge Mountains fall getaway in McDowell County. From favorite fall destinations to seasonal things to do, here are some of the best ways to get out and enjoy fall color across the county.
What are some top fall Blue Ridge Mountain adventures?
There are plenty of ways to get out and enjoy the season, whether you want to take in the views from the car, hit the trail or spend the day exploring somewhere new.
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- Take a scenic drive along the Blue Ridge Parkway. Pack a picnic to enjoy at one of the overlooks, and be sure to bring your camera. The Chestoa View Overlook (milepost 320.8) is particularly spectacular in mid-to-late October. For another great drive, try the Lake James Loop Drive. Or take on The Diamondback, a 38-mile route of hairpin turns, twisties and scenic views popular with motorcyclists and sports car enthusiasts.
- Go for a hike on one of the area’s many trails. McDowell County is the ideal home base for exploring on foot. Choose a trail that offers sweeping views or one that meanders through the colorful forest. Check out our guide to area hiking trails.
- Find a waterfall framed by fall color. Crabtree Falls, located on the Blue Ridge Parkway, is especially beautiful surrounded by golden leaves. And see for yourself what makes Linville Falls at milepost 316.3 one of the most photographed sites along the Blue Ridge Parkway.
- Go apple picking at the historic Orchard at Altapass. Explore the century-old orchard, sample apple varieties or order an apple pie à la mode. Mountain music is played on Saturdays and Sundays through October.
- Find local flavors and creative craftsmanship at a fall market, festival or farm. Stop by the Historic Marion Tailgate Market on Saturday mornings for local produce, flowers, baked goods and artisan items.
- Throw a round at North Cove Disc Golf and Leisure Club. Walk the rolling hills surrounded by Pisgah National Forest as the landscape changes color. Afterward, refuel at Birdie’s Restaurant with a burger or giant slice of pizza. Maybe you’ll even spot Bigfoot.
- Take a sunset cruise on Lake James. Lake James Sunset Cruises offers another way to see the season, with mountain and shoreline views from the water as the sun goes down.
- Ride a bike at Foothills Watershed in Old Fort. The 117-acre riverside bike campus on the headwaters of the Catawba River also offers dining, live music and plenty of space to relax and enjoy the fall season.
- Hang out the “Gone Fishing” sign and head for one of McDowell County’s waterways. From rivers and streams to lakes, there are plenty of opportunities to go fishing while enjoying the changing season.
And because fall color moves through the mountains rather than arriving everywhere at once, where you go can matter just as much as what you do.
Where will you find fall color?
One reason the Blue Ridge Mountains put on such a long fall color show is the region’s diversity of tree species and dramatic changes in elevation. Color typically begins at the highest elevations and gradually makes its way down the mountains as the season progresses.
From late September through mid-October, look for shades of orange, gold and red at higher elevations around Grandfather Mountain, Linville Falls and Little Switzerland. Later in October, fall color reaches lower elevations around Old Fort and Marion. The season can continue into early November around Lake James and other lower-elevation areas.
For current conditions, check our weekly fall color report throughout the season.
And don’t overlook Mount Mitchell, just off the Blue Ridge Parkway. The highest peak in the eastern United States is right in McDowell County’s backyard, and Mount Mitchell State Park offers expansive views across the surrounding mountains and valleys during fall color season.
