November in the Blue Ridge Mountains of McDowell County offers stunning autumn hues as peak color begins spreading throughout the lower elevations. If you love fall as much as we do, then now is the time to take off from work, hop in the car, and make your way to the mountains.
Where are the top places for fall foliage in November?
The best places to find color through the month of November are in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains.
Marion Greenway - Take a 3.5 mile stroll along the Catawba River. This paved greenway is completely flat, making it perfect for strollers and wheelchairs. There are plenty of places to stop, rest, and enjoy the serenity of the outdoors.
Catawba Falls - A gorgeous waterfall awaits along this 3-mile out-and-back hike. The hike itself is not difficult, but there are some uphill stretches.
Lake James Scenic Drive - Hop in your car and take a scenic drive through the mountains. The fall colors are beautiful on this route in November. This is an 86-mile loop, so plan on spending a couple of hours, maybe more if you want to get out and take photos.
Linville Falls - Take in scenic views of the Linville Gorge and the thundering waterfall that carves a path through the forest. This area begins transitioning in October, but there is still some color to take in during the early part of November.
Point Lookout Trail - Connecting Old Fort to Ridgecrest, this trail offers sweeping views of the surrounding mountains. It is a 3.6-mile paved trail through the Pisgah National Forest and it is popular with hikers and mountain bikers. To avoid accidents, hikers are advised to remain on the left and bikers on the right, especially around the blind spots. This trail has a 900-foot elevation gain.
This content is sourced from
Destination McDowell
. It reflects the author's views and has not been edited by our newsroom. It may have been generated using AI assistance.
