Fall is one of the very best times to visit the Appalachian Mountains as this is when all of those tree-blanketed hills start to see the changing colors of fall. From September to November, this whole region becomes a gorgeous outdoor destination, with Boone, NC being a particularly popular spot for autumn tree enthusiasts seeking those rich oranges, yellows, reds, and more. That’s because this North Carolina town is nestled within the heart of the Blue Ridge Mountains and one can drive in just about any direction and quickly find themselves on windy mountain roads underneath and overlooking the gorgeous autumn foliage. Likewise, there are plenty of hiking trails just waiting to take adventurers deeper into the woods for a more up-and-close look at fall.
Not sure where to begin with your Boone, NC fall adventure? Consider the following look at some of the best scenic drives and hikes for this season:
Best Scenic Drives & Hikes Near Boone, NC for Fall
1. Grandfather Mountain
From Boone, NC, you can take US Highway or Blue Ridge Parkway pretty much straight to Grandfather Mountain State Park. It’s about a 30-minute drive depending on traffic, with the ride offering plenty of gorgeous panoramic views of the autumn mountain landscape. This drive tends to be best in mid-October when the fall foliage in this part of the country really hits its peak.
Once at Grandfather Mountain, there are several trails and vistas to explore. The Mile High Swinging Bridge is a particularly unique attraction here as this swinging bridge offers 360-degree views of the mountain valley and the mountains beyond. For those wanting to work up more of sweat, take your hiking shoes and head to the Grandfather Mountain Profile Trail. This is a challenging 7-mile round-trip hike that will offer up some incredible views of unique rock formations, mountain backdrops, and a diverse array of color-changing foliage.
2. Blue Ridge Parkway
Let’s take a pause and go back to the Blue Ridge Parkway. While the Blue Ridge Parkway can be the main thruway that gets you to some of the best hiking locations in this area, it also has plenty of beauty to offer in and of itself. This is the type of roadway where it really is more about the journey than the destination. The Blue Ridge Parkway stretches between Boone and Linville, cutting right through part of this gorgeous mountain range. This roadway features several overlooks and pull-offs where you can take a pause, step out, and breathe in that fresh mountain air.
For example, one of the most popular spots along Blue Ridge Parkway is the Rough Ridge Overlook near Milepost 302. This overlook features a sizable parking area where guests can not only stretch their legs and enjoy a good landscape vista, but also take advantage of a few short hikes that offer even better views at their end.
3. Pisgah National Forest
Also located southwest of Boone, NC and accessible by that gorgeous Blue Ridge Parkway, the Pisgah National Forest is a great place to head for a bountiful fall foliage experience. Pisgah National Forest covers nearly 500,000 acres in Western North Carolina and is well-known for its unique rugged mountain terrain, scenic hiking trails, and diverse ecosystems. All of these aspects are worthy reasons to visit any time of the year, but the changing colors of fall make autumn an especially fantastic time to drive through the forest’s roads and to enjoy an afternoon hike beneath its canopies.
With so much acreage, there are naturally plenty of great hiking trails in Pisgah National Forest. Some favorites in the area include the Looking Glass Rock Trail which leads to the summit of Looking Glass Rock, offering full 360-degree views of the forest draped in its autumn colors below. There’s also the Graveyard Fields Loop Trail which is an easier, very family-friendly hiking trail that loops through a beautiful meadow and beside waterfalls and forested areas.
4. Boone Fork Trail
Another great hike near Boone, North Carolina is the Boone Fork Trail. You will find this 5-mile hiking trail located near Price Lake, which has an exit at Milepost 297 of the Blue Ridge Parkway. The Boone Fork Trail is good any time of the year, but fall is certainly when it sees the most visitors. That’s because this hiking trail offers some of the best views of the area’s changing fall landscapes, with parts of the trail weaving through meadows, forests, lakeside, and even across rocky river crossings. All throughout the trail, you’ll find yourself immersed in a rich array of autumn colors, from late-blooming flowers to those gorgeous changing fall leaves.
5. Linville Falls
Linville Falls is another gem located along the Blue Ridge Parkway. You’ll find the Linville Falls Visitor Center and Park Store as well as a small parking area and trailhead at Milpost 316 of the Blue Ridge Parkway. The trails here aren’t too long as the main draw are the small waterfalls pretty close to the visitor center. The primary trail here is the Linville Falls Trail, which is a short but gorgeous hike under two miles in length. The big draw of this trail is, of course, the small cascading waterfalls after which it’s named. However, hikers here will find several great overlooks that provide nice views of the lush forests as well as those falls.
Learn More About All That Boone, NC Has to Offer
We hope this list of great places to take an autumn drive and hike when staying in or around Boone, NC has you scheming for your next adventure. If so, make sure to check out our other pages about this gorgeous slice of North Carolina. We go through all of the very best in places to stay and dine at, as well as the best attractions (both natural and of the more man-made variety), to help you build that perfect vacation for you and your family.
