Fall Foliage in North Carolina Without the Footprint
Fall is on the horizon, and there’s so much we all look forward to in North Carolina with this season. Sweater weather in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, apple picking in Henderson County, the annual run of mullet on the coast…but let’s be honest; the changing leaves are the star of the show. Every autumn the forest shifts from its standard green hue into a palette of red, orange and yellow. It’s one of the most spectacular shows Mother Nature puts on every year, and NC is ground zero for experiencing fall at its finest. More than 60% of the state is covered in forest, which boast more than 70 different species of hardwood all of which are turning color as the weather cools.
NC also has a long fall foliage season, as the leaves begin turning in mid-September in the mountains and won’t finish changing until late November near the coast. That’s a lot of fall splendor to observe. The best part? You can come to NC to experience this spectacular foliage and actually preserve the very trees we all love to ogle and keep those trees thriving long after your visit.
Here are six spots where you can see fall color at its peak in NC, as well as some easy tips for caring for the forests that you love to explore.
Fun Fact: Those fallen leaves actually play an important role in supporting the greater ecosystem by providing shelter and feeding grounds for insects, amphibians and small mammals.
How to Enjoy Leaf Season as a Steward
Paddle the Great Dismal Swamp
The Great Dismal Swamp encompasses more than 100,000 soggy acres in northeastern NC, making it one of the largest intact swamps on the East Coast. It’s also blanketed with a towering bald cypress canopy, which turns golden yellow in October into November. Head to the Dismal Swamp State Park and paddle a piece of the 22-mile Dismal Swamp Canal, which meanders through cypress, sweet gum and a variety of other hardwoods that put on a show in late Autumn. When you visit, access the canal at designated put-ins and take-outs to keep the banks of the waterway and swamp intact, which comprise vital habitat for otters, black bears and bobcats.
Hike Croatan National Forest
The Tideland Trail forms a 1.3-mile loop through Cedar Point Recreation Area, within Croatan National Forest, offering views of Bogue Sound as it travels through maritime forest and marshlands. The trail, which is close to Outdoor NC Trail Town Swansboro, is a mix of boardwalks over marshy areas and crushed gravel through the maritime forest. And you’ll experience fall’s magic throughout. Not only do the hardwoods turn a variety of colors come fall, but the marsh grasses also turn golden brown with the changing temperatures. You’ll have the opportunity to see a variety of wildlife on the trail, from osprey to fiddler crabs. Help Keep Wildlife Wild by observing them from a safe distance, which will ensure that your visit doesn’t introduce any unnecessary stress to the animals.
Climb the Tower in Cane Creek Mountain Natural Area
We all love hiking beneath a hardwood forest in full Autumn bloom, but for a unique perspective, you should climb above the colorful canopy. You can do just that at Cane Creek Mountain Natural Area, in Alamance County, where the new 80-foot Monadnock Lookout Tower offers a bird’s eye view of fall’s spectacle. Climb to the platform and you’ll see the undulating hills of the Piedmont blanketed with a variety of hardwoods turning red, orange and yellow in October. You likely won’t be the only visitor enjoying the view from the Monadnock Lookout Tower. Remember to Share the Outdoors by being mindful of your noise level, which will help others enjoy the peaceful view that spreads out below.
Summit a Mountain at Crowders Mountain State Park
You have the opportunity to summit two mountains in this state park, Crowders Mountain and Kings Pinnacle, and you should make a point to crest both peaks if you have the time and energy. But if you can only hike one mountain, make it Kings Pinnacle, which at 1,705 feet, is the tallest point in Gaston County and offers a long-range view from the craggy summit. Start at the Visitor Center and hike the Pinnacle Trail, a four-mile out and back, to take in the Piedmont’s glowing canopy below. Given the spectacular view and rugged terrain, Crowders Mountain is a popular destination. Plan Ahead and Prepare by visiting during less crowded times, like mid-week or early in the morning on weekends, which will help relieve congestion on the trails and mountain summits. Spreading visitation out lessens stress on wildlife and reduces the impact on trails and at trailheads.
Drive the Blue Ridge Parkway
The Blue Ridge Parkway runs for 469 miles through the mountains from Great Smoky Mountains National Park to Shenandoah National Park. Every single mile of the Blue Ridge Parkway through NC is a fall foliage highlight reel, so you can’t go wrong with any stretch you choose to explore. But if you want to see real drama in the landscape, start in Cherokee, at the road’s southern terminus, and cruise north. You’ll have the chance to enjoy 360-degree views from 5,820-foot Waterrock Knob, the highest point on the Parkway, and hike to Graveyard Fields, a high elevation meadow known for its waterfalls. There are multiple trails you can hike along the Parkway, many of which can be popular during peak foliage season. Plan Ahead and Prepare by having a backup plan ready if the trailhead parking of your desired hike is full. By not creating your own parking space at an overcrowded trailhead, you’re helping to preserve the flora near popular trailheads.
Explore the Highest Town in the East
Beech Mountain (pop: 675) sits at 5,506 feet above sea level, making it the highest incorporated town east of the Mississippi. The small community also has quick access to world class outdoor adventure within a mile-high forest, from an extensive hiking trail system to the professionally built downhill bike park at Beech Mountain Resort. Start with a scenic lift ride to the top of the resort, where you can catch the view and enjoy a beer at Beech’s mountaintop pub, and see where the day takes you. Remember that fall hits these higher elevations early, so plan your trip for late September or early October to witness peak color. This lofty ski hill serves as a key wildlife corridor in the High Country’s portfolio of forested lands, and you can help preserve this lofty recreation area by Trashing Your Trash. Pack out any trash or food items you bring onto the mountain to help maintain the local wildlife’s natural diet.
3 Outdoor NC Leave No Trace Tips for Fall Adventures
Here are a few easy acts of stewardship that will enhance your experience as you explore NC this fall while making sure your visit has a positive impact.
Plan Ahead and Prepare
The weather in the fall can shift quickly, especially if you’re exploring the high elevations in the mountains. Check the forecast before you set out and bring extra layers and rain gear so you can be safe and comfortable if temperatures drop. Days also get shorter, so packing a flashlight or headlamp is a good idea if you’re planning to hike.
Keep Wildlife Wild
Fall is an especially busy time for wildlife throughout the state. Birds are migrating through NC on their way south, baby loggerhead sea turtles are continuing to hatch along the coast and the elk in the mountains are entering their annual mating rituals known as “the rut.” If you have the good fortune of seeing one of NC’s local creatures, make sure you observe them from a safe distance that keeps you and the animal out of harm. Maintain 25 to 50 yards from large mammals and double that distance if you see a black bear. Keeping these distances ensures the animal can go about their routine without suffering unnecessary stress.
Stick to Trails
Hiking through a forested canopy that’s ablaze with changing leaves can be a highlight of a fall trip to NC. Keeping to designated trails is a great way to preserve the plants that are existing along the sides of those trails, even if a trail is muddy. Instead of trying to avoid the mud, walk straight through the puddles to minimize your impact and keep the trail from “growing” around the edges.
Want to learn more ways to explore North Carolina’s natural world, from the High Country to the coast, while being a good steward of it?
Inside our Evergreen E-Newsletter you’ll find useful tips on how to responsibly enjoy all kinds of outdoor adventures, highlights from local guides, and recommendations on destinations to explore throughout North Carolina for adventurers of all abilities.
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