As we head into late October on the Parkway, the peak colors can be found at the lower elevations. The color change started at the beginning of October at the highest elevations and has been steadily progressing down toward lower ground ever since.

In Virginia, the north end of the Parkway from Rockfish Gap through the Peaks of Otter should be brilliant with yellows, oranges, deep scarlet, and red.

South of Roanoke through Rocky Knob and Mabry Mill, down through the Blue Ridge Music Center should also be near its peak color.

The higher elevations of North Carolina like Grandfather Mountain, Craggy Gardens, and south of Asheville are beyond their peak, but the drive up to them in the valleys below are still bright with good colors.

As always, we recommend driving some distance on the Parkway so that you change elevation and north-south orientation to be sure and get some of the good colors.

It is a crowded time on the Parkway, so be careful and take your time visiting America’s Favorite Drive.

Enjoy the view, but watch the road!

Regular updates for color reports will be posted to our web site home page. You can also use the National Park Service information line at 828-298-0398 to keep informed of what’s being reported on the Parkway.

Have a safe parkway visit! Enjoy the view, but watch the road.