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Updated Sep 28
Pictured: Blue Ridge Parkway, North Carolina · typical peak look

Fall foliage near Charlotteday trips within 250 miles

Where can I see fall foliage near Charlotte?

We track 10 fall foliage places within 250 straight-line miles of Charlotte, in North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, Tennessee and Kentucky. The nearest is Blue Ridge Parkway, North Carolina, about 93 miles away (usually Oct 1–31). Blue Ridge Parkway, North Carolina usually starts first (Oct 1–31) and Congaree National Park, South Carolina ends last (Oct 21–Nov 10).

Updated Sep 28. Sources: National Park Service, Blue Ridge Parkway fall colors ↗ (opens in a new tab), National Park Service, Congaree weather and seasons ↗ (opens in a new tab)

Pick your week

Pick a week: the places usually in their window then light up. Each place's own usual window, or its region's or state's timing where it has none (labeled); not a forecast.

Week of Oct 1

  • Usually peaking this week
  • Other weeks

Usually in peak the week of Oct 1

By distance from Charlotte

Straight-line miles; roads are longer
  1. 93 miBlue Ridge Parkway, North CarolinaUsually Oct 1–31
  2. 96 miCongaree National Park, South CarolinaUsually Oct 21–Nov 10
  3. 106 miPisgah National Forest, North CarolinaStatewide: usually well under way by mid-October
  4. 111 miGeorge Washington and JeffersonUsually Oct 11–31
  5. 138 miNantahala National Forest, North CarolinaStatewide: usually well under way by mid-October
  6. 155 miGreat Smoky Mountains, TennesseeUsually Oct 1–Nov 10
  7. 186 miCherokee National Forest, TennesseeUsually Oct 11–Nov 10
  8. 188 miCumberland GapLocal timing: Oct 1–31
  9. 232 miBig South ForkStatewide: usually well under way by late October
  10. 246 miDaniel Boone National Forest, KentuckyStatewide: usually well under way by late October

See two in one trip

Nearby places whose usual fall color windows overlap

Questions people ask

What's the closest fall foliage to Charlotte?

Blue Ridge Parkway, North Carolina, about 93 straight-line miles away. Usually Oct 1–31.Source: National Park Service, Blue Ridge Parkway fall colors ↗ (opens in a new tab)

When is the best week for fall foliage near Charlotte?

Usually the week of Oct 15: 9 of the 10 places with timing are in their usual window then (Blue Ridge Parkway, North Carolina, Congaree National Park, South Carolina, Pisgah National Forest, North Carolina and George Washington and Jefferson and more). A season can run early or late.Sources: National Park Service, Blue Ridge Parkway fall colors ↗ (opens in a new tab), National Park Service, Congaree weather and seasons ↗ (opens in a new tab), USA National Phenology Network, colored leaves observations ↗ (opens in a new tab), US Forest Service, Fall Colors ↗ (opens in a new tab), National Park Service, Great Smoky Mountains fall color ↗ (opens in a new tab), Forest Service news release, Popular scenic fall drives on Cherokee National Forest (Oct. 12, 2022) ↗ (opens in a new tab), National Park Service, Cumberland Gap weather ↗ (opens in a new tab)

Where does the fall color season start first near Charlotte?

Blue Ridge Parkway, North Carolina (93 miles): usually Oct 1–31.Source: National Park Service, Blue Ridge Parkway fall colors ↗ (opens in a new tab)

How far are these places from Charlotte?

From 93 to 246 straight-line miles; roads are longer. 2 are within 100 miles.