The Best Time To See SC and NC Fall Colors by Region: 2024 Edition

Fall is a spectacular time in the Carolinas, with North Carolina (NC) and South Carolina (SC) offering vibrant autumn foliage. To experience the best NC fall leaves and SC fall colors this year, here’s a detailed timeline to guide your journey:

Late September to Early October: The fall season begins in the highest elevations of the NC mountains. Areas like the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, the Blue Ridge Parkway, Mount Mitchell, and Grandfather Mountain—located at elevations above 5,000 feet—are the first to showcase the vivid reds, oranges, and yellows of fall. This is an ideal time to explore hiking trails and scenic drives in these high-altitude regions.

Mid to Late October: Mid-elevation regions (2,000 to 4,000 feet) in NC reach peak color during this period. Popular destinations like Asheville, Boone, Blowing Rock, and the Linville Gorge offer stunning views of NC fall leaves. This is the perfect time to visit for those looking to experience NC fall leaves, with charming small towns and abundant outdoor activities amidst vibrant foliage.

Late October to Early November: As the colors move to lower elevations, the foothills and Piedmont areas of NC, including cities like Charlotte, Winston-Salem, and Chapel Hill, come alive with color. This period also marks the start of SC fall colors in the Upstate region, particularly in the Blue Ridge Mountains and state parks like Table Rock and Caesars Head, which showcase brilliant fall hues.

Early to Mid-November: The final wave of SC and NC fall colors reaches the coast In NC, areas like Raleigh and Wilmington display a more subtle but beautiful transformation. Meanwhile, in SC, regions such as Columbia and the Lowcountry—including Charleston—offer autumn tones slightly softer than NC fall colors. The combination of historic charm and the last burst of fall foliage makes these areas worth exploring.

By following this timeline, you can enjoy the full range of SC and NC fall leaves this season, from the high mountains to the coastal plains, capturing the essence of autumn in the Carolinas.

Welcome to Cashiers, one off the best leaf-peeping destinations in western NC!

Cashiers NC — Our #1 Leaf-Peeping Destination

Cashiers, NC, nestled in the heart of the Blue Ridge Mountains, is a premier leaf-peeping destination in the Carolinas. This charming mountain village is renowned for its stunning fall foliage, which blankets the region in vibrant shades of red, orange, and gold. Cashiers sits at an elevation of around 3,500 feet, offering the perfect mix of elevation and diverse tree species—such as maples, oaks, and birches—that contribute to its spectacular autumn display.

One of the standout features of Cashiers is its accessibility to some of the most scenic drives and hikes in the region. The iconic U.S. Highway 64, also known as the Mountain Waters Scenic Byway, winds through Cashiers, providing breathtaking vistas of cascading waterfalls and expansive mountain valleys filled with colorful fall foliage. For those who prefer to explore on foot, trails like Whiteside Mountain and Panthertown Valley offer unmatched views of the seasonal transformation, making Cashiers a paradise for nature lovers and photographers alike.

Beyond the natural beauty, Cashiers is known for its warm, welcoming community, local festivals, and charming shops and restaurants, which enhance the fall experience.

Discover the best spots to soak in the beauty of fall in Cashiers, NC. Subscribers can read more about our detailed leaf-peeping itinerary in the fall 2024 issue!

These self-engineered trebuchets are ready to launch pumpkins thousands of feet in distance!

What Are The Best Fall Fairs And Festivals In The Carolinas?

Celebrate the season with vibrant colors, delicious food, and unique traditions. One of the most exciting events is the Punkin Chunkin Festival in Brasstown, NC. This quirky festival is all about catapulting pumpkins through the air, with teams competing to see who can launch theirs the farthest. What better way to see NC fall leaves change colors than with pumpkins launching in the foreground? Besides the pumpkin-chunking spectacle, visitors can enjoy live music, a chili cook-off, craft vendors, and kids’ activities—making it a fun outing for the whole family.

Another standout event is the North Carolina Pecan Harvest Festival in Whiteville, NC. This festival honors the state’s pecan-growing heritage with a parade, baking contests, live entertainment, and a street fair filled with vendors showcasing all things pecan.

Meanwhile, in South Carolina, the South Carolina State Fair in Columbia is a must-visit for those who love classic fair experiences. With its thrilling rides, agricultural exhibits, live performances, and iconic fair food, it captures the essence of fall fun.

For those looking for something unique, the Carolina Renaissance Festival in Huntersville, NC, offers a step back in time with costumed performers, jousting knights, artisan crafts, and hearty medieval fare amid the beautiful fall foliage. Spoiler alert — VIP subscribers will have an opportunity to get free tickets to the Carolina Renaissance Festival in 2024!

Get dates and details on more top fall festivals in the Carolinas in the fall 2024 magazine issue!

Hot, fresh-out-of-the-oven apple cider donuts; cider-pressing demonstration at Millstone Creek Orchards | Ramseur

A Unique Way To See NC Fall Leaves Change Colors? What Would Johnny Appleseed Do?

As the NC fall leaves begin to paint the landscape in vibrant hues, apple orchards and apple festivals across North and South Carolina provide the perfect backdrop for some good old-fashioned fun. So, grab your flannel and channel your inner Johnny Appleseed because 2024 is ripe with opportunities to celebrate the season!

One of the best spots to start your apple-picking adventure is Sky Top Orchard in Flat Rock, NC. With panoramic views of the NC fall leaves and rows of apple trees filled with over a dozen varieties, you’ll feel like Johnny Appleseed himself wandering through this orchard. Be sure to taste their famous apple cider donuts—because even Johnny would need a break from planting trees to enjoy some delicious treats!

For those looking to combine apples and adventure, Justus Orchard in Hendersonville, NC, offers more than just apple-picking. With wagon rides, farm animals, and a bakery full of fresh apple pies, it’s the perfect family outing. And if Johnny Appleseed were around today, he’d probably be munching on their apple cider slushies while taking in the NC fall colors.

Heading south to South Carolina, Bryson’s Apple Orchard in Mountain Rest is a must-visit. Known for its u-pick options and fresh apple cider, it’s the kind of place Johnny Appleseed might have stopped by to see how his legacy was being honored. Plus, with its proximity to hiking trails showcasing the SC and NC fall leaves, it’s an excellent stop for nature lovers.

So, put on your apple-picking boots and prepare to explore the best apple orchards and festivals the Carolinas have to offer. Check out our guide to more apple orchards and apple festivals near you.

Return over several weeks in the fall to the Carolina Renaissance Festival

Win Free Tickets When You Become A Carolina Traveler VIP Subscriber

Attention VIP subscribers: You're in for a treat! VIP subscribers are eligible for FREE tickets whenever they become available, while supplies last. Keep an eye on your email for instructions on how to claim them. To ensure you receive our notifications, please mark us as a trusted email address to prevent us from landing in your spam or promotions folders. Keep us coming to your inbox for all the latest updates and exclusive offers!

Our current giveaways include adventures in big and small towns in NC:

• VIP only drawing for Green River Adventures Lower Green River Kayaking for 2 people – Valued at $49/each
• Charlotte Whiskey Wine & Fire – November 2 – 2 Free tickets available per VIP subscriber – Tickets valued at $59/each

Become a VIP Subscriber now to be eligible for our upcoming late summer/fall giveaways:

• VIP only drawing for The Gorge Zipline in Saluda, NC  for 2 people – valued at $129/each
• Charlotte Wine & Food Festival – September 28- 2 Free tickets available per VIP subscriber. Tickets valued at $39/each
• Brick Fest Live Charleston, SC – October 12-13 – 2 Free tickets available per VIP subscriber – Tickets valued at $19/each

Fall 2024 MyTown Ambassador Sid Eley of Hertford NC

Seeking Holiday 2024 Small Town Ambassadors

Carolina Traveler is searching for our next “MyTown Ambassador” to be featured in our upcoming holiday issue! Do you know someone who embodies the spirit of your small city, mid-sized town, or small town in NC or SC? We’re looking for individuals from towns with populations that are generally under 25,000 and who are deeply involved in their community, have a memorable or even eccentric personality, and boast an interesting career or accomplishment.

Whether it’s a local business owner, a dedicated volunteer, or someone with a unique story, our MyTown Ambassadors should be shining examples of what makes your small towns in NC and SC special. The ideal nominee is personable, passionate about their community, and willing to share their experiences with our writers in an interview. If you know someone who fits the bill, nominate them today and let them be the face of their town in Carolina Traveler's holiday issue!

To submit your MyTown ambassador nominee, email [email protected] with the name (first and last) of your nominee, your town/city in NC or SC, and a brief paragraph outlining your reasons for submitting their name. A writer from our team will follow up with you if your nominee is chosen!