Whitewater Falls
(photo courtesy of Ed Krueger)

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Pisgah National Forest
 

  Weekly Fall Color Update 11/09/07

Fall color remains good in the protected valleys and lower elevations of the Pisgah and Nantahala National Forests.  The recent dry weather coupled with warm days and cool nights has led to an extended fall color season in western North Carolina this year.  While many of the maples, poplars and hickories have started to fade, the area's oaks are now showing  peak color.

One recommended drive in western North Carolina is US Highway 74A from Asheville to Shelby.  Forests in this "isothermal" zone tend to hold onto their color later into November than the higher elevations north and west of the eastern continental divide. 

In North Carolina's Piedmont on the Uwharrie National Forest, fall color is making its mark on  the forest. Maples and sourwood are showing bright red and orange.

Western North Carolina has a wide range of elevations and many different hardwood tree species, so  "leaf lookers" are almost always able to find good color here in the Carolina mountains  from early October into early or mid November. Check out some of the links below to get the latest recommendations on other good color spots in NC. 

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Wilson Creek; Pisgah National Forest; 11-4-05

Fall Color Information Links

USDA Forest Service Fall Color Update
1-800-354-4595 

Asheville Convention and Visitors Bureau  Color Report
1-888-247-9811

The Official Visit North Carolina Travel Web Site
1-800-VISIT-NC (1-800-847-4862)

The Weather Channel Fall Foliage Report

The Fall Foliage Network