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Take a fall trip and uplift a whole region

North Carolina’s southern mountains, which were largely unaffected by Hurricane Helene, rely heavily on tourism to support its economy. Your visit this fall, a peak season for this area, can have lasting positive economic impacts. The below areas are ready to welcome you with brilliant foliage, seasonal events, local shops, and family-run restaurants and inns.

  • Jackson County

    With leaf-peeping season stretching well into November, this area calls for all things outdoors: fishing, hiking and dining alfresco. Be sure to take in the magnificent waterfalls and wild elk, too.

  • Swain County

    Find your gateway to all things fall: Hiking in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, elk viewing, taking a scenic excursion with Great Smoky Mountains Railroad and visiting pumpkin patches at Darnell Farms.

  • Clay County

    Embrace a magical fall combination of mountain, lake and small-town living in NC’s Great Smoky Mountains.

  • Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians

    This sovereign nation offers a front-row seat to hiking and biking in NC’s Great Smoky Mountains, arts and crafts shopping, native elk herd viewing, fishing fun and history that spans millennia.

  • Cherokee County

    Events take center stage as Veterans Day, Halloween and holiday celebrations fill Main Street in this Smoky Mountains town.

  • Haywood County

    Stroll, shop and dine through the charming Smoky Mountain towns of Maggie Valley, Waynesville, Clyde, Canton and Lake Junaluska.

  • Transylvania County

    Head out for a hike and then refuel in one of downtown Brevard’s restaurants or breweries. Want to start holiday shopping early? Gorgeous handmade items are in abundance throughout the gallery-filled streets.

  • Graham County

    The Cherohala Skyway, a National Scenic Byway, features 40 miles of opportunities to embrace fall beauty with stops at overlooks, hiking trails, picnic spots and scenic lakes.

  • Franklin & Nantahala

    Gem mining, relaxing lake adventures and unreal views from the top of a firetower are just a few of the highlights of these Smoky Mountain foothill towns.

  • Henderson County

    It’s all about fall flavors in the Blue Ridge Mountains: Pick apples at an orchard, sip wine at a winery overlooking bright foliage and sample locally brewed pumpkin-flavored beers.

  • Highlands

    Highlands’ posh Main Street, luxury inns and abundant natural beauty combine for an elevated Smoky Mountains fall getaway.

  • Polk County

    Explore the charming small towns of Saluda, Tryon and Columbus that sport both mountain and countryside views, delicious dining and local shopping.

Plan Your Visit

While many areas of Western North Carolina work to recover and rebuild from the impact of Hurricane Helene, travel routes might be impacted. Explore our interactive map below and discover the mountain destinations currently ready and able to receive you, then easily plan any route with DriveNC.gov.

View Interactive Map

Let responsible outdoor stewardship lead the way

Hurricane Helene has impacted outdoor spaces in Western North Carolina, highlighting the importance of responsible outdoor stewardship. Guests are encouraged to plan ahead and prepare by checking official government and park websites for updates on conditions, closures, routes and safety guidelines. It is essential to be mindful of your impact while communities work to rebuild; your consideration can make a significant difference. By focusing on visiting open areas, you can support both recovery efforts and the local economy. As you explore, embrace the seven Outdoor NC Leave No Trace principles. These practices will help our diverse ecosystem heal and flourish anew. Thank you for being a considerate visitor during this crucial time.

For more guidance on responsible travel, visit OutdoorNC.com.

  • Follow the Foliage

    The differing elevations in NC’s southern mountains means it’s always the right time to chase fall foliage. Follow this guide to see where the leaves are putting on a show.

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Darnell Farms

Events in NC's Southern Mountains

Pick pumpkins, hop on a hayride, sip cider and bask in the beauty of NC's southern mountains at these festivals and events.

Find Events

Statewide Travel Information

The Visit North Carolina Call Center provides updated statewide travel information from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. on weekdays and 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekends. Call 1-800-VISITNC (800-847-4862). Travel counselors at North Carolina’s official Welcome Centers also provide live assistance from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily.