When to Elope in the Fall in North Carolina
A Breakdown of Peak Leaf Season in Western NC
When it comes to fall in North Carolina, there are truly no shortage of spectacular vistas to soak in the variety of colors. Elevation varies from just over 1k feet in areas like Morganton (near South Mountain State Park) to our fifty-two 6k+ foot peaks, extending the season of color from late September to early November depending on where you are. This provides ample opportunities to elope with a vibrant backdrop for your vows. Each week of the fall season offers a unique experience. Keep reading for insight on when you can expect peak colors in different areas of the state, and more information to consider when planning your fall elopement!
Fall Foliage Map
Fall foliage can vary from year to year depending on weather and other factors, but fall foliage maps, like this one, can provide a rough estimate of when you can expect areas to be at peak leaf color. At this point in the year, most foliage maps are estimates from previous years, perhaps informed by some observations on how the year has progressed thus far. As fall approaches, keep an eye on the maps as they continue to change and evolve!
This map, from the App State Department of Biology, focuses specifically on Western North Carolina. Most of the sections of purple belong to the highest peaks, the 5-6k+ footers, peaking in Early October.
Crowds in Peak Season
Ideally, it would be awesome to be able to snag one of the state’s best overlooks when it is at peak for your elopement. However, the likelihood that you wouldn’t be met with a swarm of tourists seeking the same views is slim to none. Make sure to weigh the potential for crowds when choosing your elopement location. If solitude is important to you, consider selecting a week near peak, a less popular location, or a less trafficked time of day. Ultimately, there are dozens of off-the-beaten-path spots that are just perfect for an elopement, even if they don’t have the clout of being one of NC’s most famous trails.
A Breakdown of the Fall Leaf Season in North Carolina
Late September
Late September teeters on the edge of summer and fall here in North Carolina. In most of the state, it is still quite hot and muggy, with a little bit of respite from the heat starting to peak through. However, in the highest altitude areas of the state, this is when the leaves start to shift from the vast arrays of green. The temperatures are generally quite comfortable, making this the perfect time to plan that backpacking elopement you’ve been dreaming of. Late September is also a great time to elope in Western NC because you’ll miss the crowding that will appear with the leaf-peeping crowd in a couple of weeks or so.
In terms of leaf color, in late September you can begin to see changes near areas of concentrated 6k footers, as well as some of the higher ridges along the Blue Ridge Parkway. Some of these areas include the peaks of the Great Balsam Range, found along the Art Loeb Trail (Black Balsam Knob being the most popular), the peaks of the Plott Balsam Range (elopements not permitted at Watterock Knob), and the peaks of the Black Mountain Range, including NC’s highest peak, Mt.Mitchell.
Early October
Fall is officially in full swing once October hits in western NC. The temperatures are still warm during the day, with the last of the lingering humidity now generally gone. Fall’s colors become more crisp and prominent, yet the crowds are still a week or so away from peak chaos. A prime time to be outside in NC, we love early October for a day of apple picking and vineyard exploring and an evening spent cozy in our tent.
Early October is when we see peak fall foliage for our summits above 5k feet. The ranges listed for late September are a bit more colorful, and some new areas now join the party. Our beloved Roan Highlands transform, along with the higher elevations of the Smokies (think Clingman’s Dome and Mt.Leconte). Grandfather Mountain is at peak, and although they currently are not open for elopements, there are some spectacular elopement spots with Grandfather’s iconic profile in the background.
Mid October
Peak fall, and peak leaf season, mid October sees the rush of tourists coming from near and far to take in the sights of the Blue Ridge Parkway. Winding it’s way up into Virginia from the Smokies, there are no shortage of overlooks and points of interest on the parkway that are just breathtaking in mid October. We love this part of the season for it’s display of color and the cozy crispness that is starting to sneak into the air. However, we try to avoid the more popular locations around this time.
Mid October means changes in our 3k to 5k foot peaks. This means most of the parkway and the rest of the Smokies are now at their peak. The southwestern section of the state is also at peak in and near Nantahala National Forest, making it a great time to elope near towns like Highlands and Cashiers. Linville Gorge is at peak as well, but we would recommend a backpacking or longer hiking elopement to escape the crowds a bit!
Late October
Now just ever so slightly past peak in most of Western NC, late October is a bit on the cooler side, especially in the evenings. It is the perfect time of year to get cozy in a blanket around a fire while sipping some hot apple cider. We now start to see some glimmers of the winter ahead on our highest peaks in the state, with areas like the Smokies beginning to get small amounts of snow. The crowds on the parkway have died down a bit, but color does still linger!
Late October is peak season at 2k to 3k feet of elevation, meaning Asheville and towns such as Black Mountain, Sylva, and Saluda are all at peak. This is a great time for a waterfall elopement, or an elopement at one of our state parks in the northern NC section of the Blue Ridge Parkway, like Stone Mountain or Doughton State Parks.
Early November
The first couple of weeks of November see the last of the lingering fall colors in western NC before the forests return back to a blend of greens and browns. At this point in the season, you can count on more cool days than warm at our higher peaks, so if you’re dreaming of that long sleeved gown for your elopement this is the perfect time for you! Snow is now something that the potential of also needs to be considered if you’re considering eloping on a 5k+ footer. The crowds have definitely dwindled by this point in the season, making this a quiet and peaceful time to elope.
Although the higher and midsize peaks are well past their peak at this point, the colors are alive and well in our foothills. South Mountain State Park, Chimney Rock State Park, and Lake Lure are all at the peak during this time. The quaint mountain towns of Morganton, Marion, and Rutherfordton are great destinations for this time of the season.
At the end of the day, no matter what part of fall you decide to elope in Western North Carolina, you will likely be met with gorgeous weather and breathtaking views. We may be a little biased, but we believe that fall is the ideal season to elope here. If you’re considering a fall elopement in Western NC and want to chat about your thoughts, ideas, and all of the options, reach out to us here! We would LOVE to help you envision all of the possibilities for your stunning fall day.
