Here’s the latest fall color report from individual districts and developed areas along the Parkway for the third weekend of October. Remember that elevation and your north/south orientation make a lot of difference so plan to drive some distant on the Parkway to be sure you catch some of the great fall color.
South of Roanoke, Virginia in the Rocky Knob and Mabry Mill area, color is very nice and at about 75% change. The area south of Interstate 77 near the Blue Ridge Music Center is also reporting excellent color this weekend. In Doughton Park, NC peak color has also arrived along with many wildflowers from the fall that are hanging on in adjacent meadows.
In the Boone and Blowing Rock area the best color is reported from milepost 300 to 308 with good views from Rough Ridge and Raven Rocks. Try the hikes at Bass Lake, Julian Price Lake Loop or the Tanawha Trails for good up-close views of the fall color. The maples and sourwood trees and sassafras are turning red, the oaks and birch trees are beginning to turn yellow between Grandfather Mountain and Mt. Mitchell. The best place to view fall colors at this time in this area will be the high elevations on the Parkway at Grandfather and around Mt. Mitchell.
Picnic area at Craggy Gardens has good color this week. The low area through the Asheville corridor has a ways to go although some sourwood and dogwood is nice and showing right now. High elevations south of Asheville are generally past their peak although always worth the visit this time of year. The lone exception is Mt. Pisgah where peak color seems to be coming on for this weekend.
Rainy weather is scheduled to come in and that can mean a great loss of leaves along with slick roads. So be especially careful this weekend as you enjoy America’s Favorite Drive.
Weekly updates at 828-298-0398 will keep you informed of what’s being reported throughout the Parkway.
Have a safe parkway visit! Enjoy the view, but watch the road.