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Compare · 100 straight-line miles apart

Blue Ridge Parkway vs Cherokee National Forestfall color

Blue Ridge Parkway, North Carolina or Cherokee National Forest, Tennessee: which comes first?

Blue Ridge Parkway, North Carolina usually comes first (Oct 1–31), Cherokee National Forest, Tennessee about 10 days later (Oct 11–Nov 10), going by each place's own sources. Their usual windows overlap Oct 11–31. They're 100 miles apart in a straight line.

Checked Sep 28. Sources (4)

Usual windows, side by side

Each place's own sources; not a forecast
Oct 1Oct 15Nov 1Nov 15

Blue Ridge Parkway, North Carolina · usually oct 1–31

Cherokee National Forest, Tennessee · usually oct 11–nov 10

Shaded: Oct 11–Oct 31, in both usual windows.

Side by side

Straight-line miles; roads are longer
Blue Ridge Parkway, North CarolinaCherokee National Forest, Tennessee
UsuallyOct 1–31Oct 11–Nov 10
This seasonNo official report yetNo official report yet
Elevation5,853 ft1,772 ft
First fall frostOct 31 N Fk 2, 3.2 miOct 24 Tellico Plains, 8.1 mi

Elevation at the point we map (USGS). Frost: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, the average first 32 °F night at the nearest station.

Where to go at each

Blue Ridge Parkway, North Carolina

  • Craggy Gardens (MP 364)Wildflowers, fall leaves and wide views
  • Waterrock Knob (MP 451.2)The Parkway's highest visitor center, at 5,820 ft
  • Linn Cove ViaductDrive it, or hike to see it from another angle
  • Peaks of Otter (MP 85.6)Six trails in Virginia

Cherokee National Forest, Tennessee

  • Cherohala Skyway43-mile National Scenic Byway into North Carolina
  • Ocoee Scenic BywayThe first national forest scenic byway; 26 miles
  • Bald River FallsPull-off on Tellico River Road
  • Backbone RockThe "shortest tunnel in the world" on TN 133
Sources (12)

Questions people ask

Which has fall color first, Blue Ridge Parkway, North Carolina or Cherokee National Forest, Tennessee?

Blue Ridge Parkway, North Carolina, usually Oct 1–31; Cherokee National Forest, Tennessee usually Oct 11–Nov 10. Each place's own sourced window, not a forecast.

Can I see both on one trip?

In a typical year, Oct 11–31 falls in both usual windows. They're 100 straight-line miles apart; roads are longer.

Which is higher?

Blue Ridge Parkway, North Carolina: 5,853 ft at the point we map, against 1,772 ft (USGS). Higher places often turn earlier, but latitude matters as much.