Fall Foliage in the Blue Ridge Mountains!

Every year people flock to the Blue Ridge and Smoky Mountains to experience the magnificent fall foliage and it warm hues of red, yellow, orange, and brown.

A long time favorite route for viewing the spectacular fall colors is along the Blue Ridge Parkway. The Parkway connects Shenandoah National Park near Waynesboro, VA (Milepost 0) with Great Smoky Mountains National Park near Cherokee, NC (Milepost 469). There are entrances and exits at all major federal and state highways and part of a Parkway experience is getting into the towns and communities of the region. Asheville and Boone, NC and Roanoke, VA are the largest cities along the way. In Virginia, Interstates 64, 81, and 77 all have directions for accessing the Parkway. The same is true for Interstates 40 and 26 in North Carolina.

Did you know though, that those beautiful colors are present all year? They're just blocked by chlorophyll, which is what gives leaves their green color. When fall evenings get longer, chlorophyll production slows allowing the other colors to become visible and can be enjoyed by hikers, photographer and locals too!

To learn more about why leaves turn color, what triggers the leaves to eventually fall, and more really interesting info, visit the Forest Service.