North Carolina Fall Foliage 2026
Typical peak window
Oct 13 – Oct 21
Centered on Oct 17 at reference elevation.
moderate confidence in typical timing.
Above 5,000 ft peaks in early October; Asheville mid-to-late October; the foothills into early November.
Seasonal model estimate. Timing remains uncertain; check recent reports before traveling. Source: seasonal timing model. Calculated .
Seasonal timing
For 2026 planning, the typical statewide peak is October 17, within an October 13–21 window. Above 5,000 feet, peak color typically arrives in early October, with high ground near 6,700 feet peaking around October 8; Asheville follows in mid-to-late October, and valleys near 1,950 feet around October 24. The foothills typically continue into early November, while the Blue Ridge Parkway crosses a 16-day elevation span
What turns here
- red maple
- sugar maple
- yellow birch
- oak
- sourwood
Yellows show up every year. Reds need sunny days and cool, frost-free nights. A bad year takes those first.
Color progression
Typical peak Oct 17Typical color progression for North Carolina. No change from Sep 9 to Sep 26. First color from Sep 26 to Oct 5. Approaching peak from Oct 5 to Oct 13. Peak from Oct 13 to Oct 21. Past peak from Oct 21 to Oct 31. Bare from Oct 31 to Nov 14.
North Carolina is typically at bare on Nov 1, 2026.
North Carolina by county
18 days from Avery County to Brunswick County.
69 of 100 counties are typically at peak on Nov 1, 2026. Tap a location marker for coordinates and light times. Where peak usually lands. Boundaries: US Census, 2023. Elevation: USGS 3DEP + SRTM. Method
A county is still an average. Graham County spans 8 days on its own, ridge to valley.
Every county, as text
| County | Typical peak | Stage on Nov 1, 2026 | Median elev. | Spread |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alamance County | Oct 24 – Nov 1 | Peak | 608 ft | 1 days |
| Alexander County | Oct 22 – Oct 30 | Past peak | 1,128 ft | 1 days |
| Alleghany County | Oct 15 – Oct 23 | Past peak | 2,861 ft | 3 days |
| Anson County | Oct 27 – Nov 4 | Peak | 391 ft | 1 days |
| Ashe County | Oct 14 – Oct 22 | Past peak | 3,150 ft | 2 days |
| Avery County | Oct 13 – Oct 21 | Bare | 3,751 ft | 4 days |
| Beaufort County | Oct 27 – Nov 4 | Peak | 19 ft | 0 days |
| Bertie County | Oct 26 – Nov 3 | Peak | 37 ft | 0 days |
| Bladen County | Oct 29 – Nov 6 | Peak | 95 ft | 0 days |
| Brunswick County | Oct 31 – Nov 8 | Peak | 37 ft | 0 days |
| Buncombe County | Oct 18 – Oct 26 | Past peak | 2,422 ft | 6 days |
| Burke County | Oct 22 – Oct 30 | Past peak | 1,243 ft | 6 days |
| Cabarrus County | Oct 25 – Nov 2 | Peak | 632 ft | 0 days |
| Caldwell County | Oct 22 – Oct 30 | Past peak | 1,236 ft | 2 days |
| Camden County | Oct 25 – Nov 2 | Peak | 6 ft | 0 days |
| Carteret County | Oct 29 – Nov 6 | Peak | 3 ft | 0 days |
| Caswell County | Oct 23 – Oct 31 | Past peak | 638 ft | 0 days |
| Catawba County | Oct 24 – Nov 1 | Peak | 968 ft | 1 days |
| Chatham County | Oct 25 – Nov 2 | Peak | 455 ft | 2 days |
| Cherokee County | Oct 22 – Oct 30 | Past peak | 1,879 ft | 4 days |
| Chowan County | Oct 26 – Nov 3 | Peak | 15 ft | 1 days |
| Clay County | Oct 21 – Oct 29 | Past peak | 2,184 ft | 6 days |
| Cleveland County | Oct 25 – Nov 2 | Peak | 844 ft | 1 days |
| Columbus County | Oct 30 – Nov 7 | Peak | 66 ft | 0 days |
| Craven County | Oct 28 – Nov 5 | Peak | 21 ft | 0 days |
| Cumberland County | Oct 28 – Nov 5 | Peak | 133 ft | 0 days |
| Currituck County | Oct 25 – Nov 2 | Peak | 3 ft | 0 days |
| Dare County | Oct 27 – Nov 4 | Peak | 2 ft | 0 days |
| Davidson County | Oct 24 – Nov 1 | Peak | 760 ft | 0 days |
| Davie County | Oct 24 – Nov 1 | Peak | 742 ft | 1 days |
| Duplin County | Oct 28 – Nov 5 | Peak | 116 ft | 1 days |
| Durham County | Oct 25 – Nov 2 | Peak | 363 ft | 1 days |
| Edgecombe County | Oct 26 – Nov 3 | Peak | 71 ft | 0 days |
| Forsyth County | Oct 23 – Oct 31 | Past peak | 899 ft | 1 days |
| Franklin County | Oct 25 – Nov 2 | Peak | 282 ft | 0 days |
| Gaston County | Oct 25 – Nov 2 | Peak | 796 ft | 1 days |
| Gates County | Oct 25 – Nov 2 | Peak | 26 ft | 0 days |
| Graham County | Oct 18 – Oct 26 | Past peak | 2,613 ft | 8 days |
| Granville County | Oct 24 – Nov 1 | Peak | 453 ft | 0 days |
| Greene County | Oct 27 – Nov 4 | Peak | 80 ft | 0 days |
| Guilford County | Oct 23 – Oct 31 | Past peak | 775 ft | 0 days |
| Halifax County | Oct 25 – Nov 2 | Peak | 124 ft | 1 days |
| Harnett County | Oct 27 – Nov 4 | Peak | 261 ft | 1 days |
| Haywood County | Oct 14 – Oct 22 | Past peak | 3,645 ft | 8 days |
| Henderson County | Oct 19 – Oct 27 | Past peak | 2,346 ft | 3 days |
| Hertford County | Oct 25 – Nov 2 | Peak | 33 ft | 0 days |
| Hoke County | Oct 28 – Nov 5 | Peak | 227 ft | 1 days |
| Hyde County | Oct 27 – Nov 4 | Peak | 1 ft | 0 days |
| Iredell County | Oct 23 – Oct 31 | Past peak | 883 ft | 1 days |
| Jackson County | Oct 16 – Oct 24 | Past peak | 3,282 ft | 5 days |
| Johnston County | Oct 26 – Nov 3 | Peak | 199 ft | 1 days |
| Jones County | Oct 28 – Nov 5 | Peak | 47 ft | 0 days |
| Lee County | Oct 26 – Nov 3 | Peak | 309 ft | 0 days |
| Lenoir County | Oct 28 – Nov 5 | Peak | 69 ft | 1 days |
| Lincoln County | Oct 24 – Nov 1 | Peak | 880 ft | 1 days |
| Macon County | Oct 18 – Oct 26 | Past peak | 2,991 ft | 8 days |
| Madison County | Oct 17 – Oct 25 | Past peak | 2,690 ft | 6 days |
| Martin County | Oct 26 – Nov 3 | Peak | 48 ft | 0 days |
| McDowell County | Oct 21 – Oct 29 | Past peak | 1,758 ft | 8 days |
| Mecklenburg County | Oct 25 – Nov 2 | Peak | 691 ft | 1 days |
| Mitchell County | Oct 14 – Oct 22 | Past peak | 3,370 ft | 5 days |
| Montgomery County | Oct 26 – Nov 3 | Peak | 519 ft | 1 days |
| Moore County | Oct 26 – Nov 3 | Peak | 439 ft | 1 days |
| Nash County | Oct 25 – Nov 2 | Peak | 215 ft | 1 days |
| New Hanover County | Oct 30 – Nov 7 | Peak | 20 ft | 0 days |
| Northampton County | Oct 25 – Nov 2 | Peak | 87 ft | 1 days |
| Onslow County | Oct 29 – Nov 6 | Peak | 45 ft | 0 days |
| Orange County | Oct 24 – Nov 1 | Peak | 586 ft | 0 days |
| Pamlico County | Oct 28 – Nov 5 | Peak | 8 ft | 0 days |
| Pasquotank County | Oct 25 – Nov 2 | Peak | 10 ft | 0 days |
| Pender County | Oct 30 – Nov 7 | Peak | 33 ft | 1 days |
| Perquimans County | Oct 25 – Nov 2 | Peak | 13 ft | 0 days |
| Person County | Oct 23 – Oct 31 | Past peak | 590 ft | 0 days |
| Pitt County | Oct 27 – Nov 4 | Peak | 58 ft | 0 days |
| Polk County | Oct 24 – Nov 1 | Peak | 1,077 ft | 4 days |
| Randolph County | Oct 25 – Nov 2 | Peak | 616 ft | 1 days |
| Richmond County | Oct 27 – Nov 4 | Peak | 342 ft | 0 days |
| Robeson County | Oct 29 – Nov 6 | Peak | 145 ft | 0 days |
| Rockingham County | Oct 23 – Oct 31 | Past peak | 700 ft | 1 days |
| Rowan County | Oct 24 – Nov 1 | Peak | 752 ft | 0 days |
| Rutherford County | Oct 24 – Nov 1 | Peak | 1,046 ft | 2 days |
| Sampson County | Oct 28 – Nov 5 | Peak | 143 ft | 0 days |
| Scotland County | Oct 28 – Nov 5 | Peak | 244 ft | 0 days |
| Stanly County | Oct 26 – Nov 3 | Peak | 507 ft | 0 days |
| Stokes County | Oct 22 – Oct 30 | Past peak | 837 ft | 2 days |
| Surry County | Oct 21 – Oct 29 | Past peak | 1,165 ft | 3 days |
| Swain County | Oct 18 – Oct 26 | Past peak | 2,683 ft | 8 days |
| Transylvania County | Oct 18 – Oct 26 | Past peak | 2,885 ft | 3 days |
| Tyrrell County | Oct 26 – Nov 3 | Peak | 3 ft | 0 days |
| Union County | Oct 27 – Nov 4 | Peak | 546 ft | 1 days |
| Vance County | Oct 24 – Nov 1 | Peak | 370 ft | 1 days |
| Wake County | Oct 26 – Nov 3 | Peak | 284 ft | 1 days |
| Warren County | Oct 24 – Nov 1 | Peak | 312 ft | 0 days |
| Washington County | Oct 26 – Nov 3 | Peak | 14 ft | 0 days |
| Watauga County | Oct 14 – Oct 22 | Past peak | 3,288 ft | 3 days |
| Wayne County | Oct 27 – Nov 4 | Peak | 133 ft | 0 days |
| Wilkes County | Oct 21 – Oct 29 | Past peak | 1,286 ft | 3 days |
| Wilson County | Oct 26 – Nov 3 | Peak | 110 ft | 0 days |
| Yadkin County | Oct 22 – Oct 30 | Past peak | 961 ft | 1 days |
| Yancey County | Oct 13 – Oct 21 | Bare | 3,705 ft | 5 days |
Peak by elevation
16 days between the ridges and the valleys below them. The county map above averages that away.
| Elevation band | Approx. elevation | Typical peak | Today |
|---|---|---|---|
| High ridges & passes | 6,700 ft | Oct 8 | Bare |
| Mid elevation | 4,000 ft | Oct 17 | Bare |
| Valleys & lowlands | 1,950 ft | Oct 24 | Past peak |
Foliage stages
- No change 0–10%
- First color 10–25%
- Approaching peak 25–60%
- Peak 60–90%
- Past peak 40–70%, dropping
- Bare <20%
Plan the light
North Carolina on October 17, 2026, the center of its typical peak window.
| Event | Time |
|---|---|
| First light (blue hour) Sun 6° below horizon | 7:12 AM |
| Sunrise Rises E · 101° | 7:38 AM |
| Morning golden hour ends 35 min of low, warm light | 8:13 AM |
| Solar noon Highest sun, flattest light | 1:15 PM |
| Evening golden hour starts 35 min before sunset | 6:18 PM |
| Sunset Sets W · 259° | 6:53 PM |
| Last light (blue hour) Sun 6° below horizon | 7:18 PM |
Times in America/New York · day length 11h 15m · computed from NOAA solar equations.
Local terrain can hide the sun; allow extra time to reach your viewpoint.
Which way to point the camera
Sun rises E, sets W.
Aim within 45° of the sun for translucent leaves. Turn your back to it for flat, accurate color.
Where to shoot in North Carolina
7 researched locations, earliest peak first. Filter these locations
- Craggy Pinnacle Bare
Blue Ridge Parkway · 5,892 ft · peaks Oct 10
A bare rock summit above the Craggy Gardens rhododendron thickets with a full circle of ridgelines, the Parkway tunnel below and the Asheville watershed reservoir to the north. Yellow birch and mountain ash color the slopes while the summit heath goes rust, and the gap here traps morning cloud.
- Cowee Mountains Overlook Bare
Blue Ridge Parkway · 5,950 ft · peaks Oct 11
Ridgelines stack back in five or six separated layers to the southwest, which is the reason this pullout is the standard haze-and-backlight frame on the southern Parkway. At 5,950 feet the near slope is already past peak while the far valleys are still green.
- Graveyard Fields Overlook Bare
Blue Ridge Parkway · 5,120 ft · peaks Oct 14
The overlook drops into a treeless bowl of blueberry and briar with the Yellowstone Prong cutting through the middle and Graveyard Ridge closing the background. The ground cover turns deep red about two weeks before the maples in the valleys below, so the foreground carries the frame.
- Max Patch Bare
Pisgah National Forest · 4,629 ft · peaks Oct 14
A mown grass bald on the Appalachian Trail with an unobstructed ring of ridgelines, including the Smokies crest to the west. The bald goes straw gold while maple and cherry fire up in the coves below the rim, giving a clean foreground-to-background separation.
- Rough Ridge Overlook Bare
Blue Ridge Parkway · 4,442 ft · peaks Oct 14
A wooden boardwalk over open quartzite with a direct look down at the Linn Cove Viaduct curling around the flank of Grandfather Mountain. Blueberry and huckleberry on the outcrop turn scarlet roughly a week ahead of the hardwood canopy under the bridge.
- Price Lake Overlook Past peak
Blue Ridge Parkway · 3,385 ft · peaks Oct 18
A shallow parkway lake with the Grandfather Mountain ridge standing behind it, and the water is flat enough at first light to hold the full reflection. Sugar maple and yellow birch ring the shoreline right down to the waterline, so the color doubles.
- Cataloochee Valley Past peak
Great Smoky Mountains National Park · 2,624 ft · peaks Oct 22
Open pasture on a Smokies valley floor with Palmer Chapel, the Caldwell House and split-rail fence lines standing in the fields. Elk graze the meadows at dawn and fog holds on the Cataloochee Creek bottom until mid-morning.
Recent reports from North Carolina
Report what you sawCommon questions
- When do the leaves change in North Carolina?
- North Carolina typically peaks Oct 13 – Oct 21, centered on Oct 17. Above 5,000 ft peaks in early October; Asheville mid-to-late October; the foothills into early November. These are typical dates from a latitude and elevation model; current conditions may differ.
- Does elevation change when fall color peaks in North Carolina?
- Yes, by about 16 days. High ground around 6,700 ft peaks near Oct 8, while valleys near 1,950 ft wait until Oct 24. Peak moves roughly 3.5 days earlier for every 1,000 feet you climb. Try lower valleys after high ground has passed peak, or higher ground while valleys are still green.
- Where are the best places to see fall color in North Carolina?
- The guide includes 7 researched locations in North Carolina, including Craggy Pinnacle, Cowee Mountains Overlook, Graveyard Fields Overlook. Craggy Pinnacle turns first, around Oct 10, and Cataloochee Valley is last, around Oct 22. Each includes coordinates, elevation and sunrise light times.
- What trees turn color in North Carolina?
- Mainly red maple, sugar maple, yellow birch, oak, sourwood. Yellows and oranges come from carotenoids that are already in the leaf, so they show up every year. Reds are made fresh each autumn and need warm sunny days with cool, frost-free nights, which is why a dry summer or a warm September produces a duller year.