The graphic above is an averaged representation of fall color along the Blue Ridge Parkway. Read the full report below for specific milepost locations.

Where to Find the Best Fall Color on the Blue Ridge Parkway

[wp_ad_camp_1]

Blue Ridge Parkway Daily’s “Fall Colors Tracker” is a great way to keep up with Autumn leaf changes. The Parkway stretches almost 500 miles north to south, meanders from the east- to west-facing slopes, and most importantly, varies in elevation from just under 650 feet at James River in Virginia to over 6,000 feet south of Mt. Pisgah in North Carolina.

Many visitors have been frustrated trying to go to one spot on one day in the fall, hoping to find the leaves in full color. A far better plan is to drive some distance on the Parkway, changing elevations and north-south orientation. Anyone who does this from the end of September until mid- to late-October will catch at least some of the pretty color that we’re famous for.

Also remember that weather conditions, like wind and rain, can accelerate the rate at which the leaves fall off the trees. Bad weather usually means that we lose our color quicker, so get out and see the color while it’s there.

Quick Summary – October 31, 2015

Past Peak (but offering long-range views of valleys below)

• Grandfather Mountain
• Craggy Gardens area
• Graveyard Fields
• Higher peaks of the Southern Region south of Mt Pisgah.
• Boone / Blowing Rock area including Price Lake and Moses Cone Manor.
• Linn Cove Viaduct south to Crabtree Falls
• North of Asheville to Craggy Gardens
• South of Asheville to Mt Pisgah
• Most elevations above 3,000′.

At Peak ( 75% & up ) <= THIS weekend’s (10/31-11/01) best outlook

• Most of the Parkway in Virginia
• Asheville and the French Broad River Valley
• Valleys of the Southern region south of Mt Pisgah.
• Most elevations in the range from 2,000′ to 3,000′.

Near Peak, but very colorful ( 50% to 75% )

• Roanoke & James River Areas
• Long range views off the eastern and western escarpment.
• Most elevations below 2,000′.

Complete details are in the full report below.  As we get additional reports we will continue to update this page, so check back often. Really often.

Full Report Details – October 31, 2015

As we have reached the end of the season on the Parkway, the peak fall colors can be found at the lower elevations. The color change started in later September at the highest elevations and has been steadily progressing down towards lower ground ever since.

Virginia

In Virginia at the north end of the Parkway, good color should still be found in the James River area and on the protected slopes and hollows.

North Carolina

The higher elevations of North Carolina like Grandfather Mountain, Craggy Gardens, and south of Asheville are beyond their peak, but the drive up to them and the valleys below are still bright with good colors.

Traveling the Parkway through Asheville and north or south up to 3,000 feet is the best place to see color, with a good mix of red, yellow, gold, and brown still showing.

As always, we recommend driving some distance on the Parkway so that you can change elevation and north-south orientation to be sure to get some of the good color.

It is a crowded time on the Parkway, so be careful and take your time visiting America’s Favorite Drive. Enjoy the view, but watch the road.

Now, Submit Your Report

Other Fall Color Reports We Recommend

• Nationwide Fall Foliage Prediction Map
  A national map that can be used to predict the timing of fall colors throughout the United States.  Very useful tool for those wanting to plan trips to see fall leaf color.
• Fall Color Forecaster Map at Appalachian State University
  Slide the leaf along the dates at the bottom. As you move through the dates, the map will highlight those parts of the state coming into peak color, followed by a browning, which indicates they are past their peak.
• Fall Color Guy at Appalachian State University
  A page from ASU biology professor Howard Neufeld who posts a weekly report on western North Carolina.
• Explore Asheville Visitor Center
  The “Official Source” for the 2014 fall color forecast in Asheville and western North Carolina.
• Fall Color in the Smokies
  This is the official fall color site for Great Smoky Mountains National Park. It contains information about when and where to see fall colors in the Park.
• Fall Color on Blue Ridge Parkway
  A really great website for fall foliage color reports can be found at the Blue Ridge Parkway Guide by Virtual Blue Ridge. They update frequently, and have archived reports from the past and they cover the entire 470 miles of the Parkway.
• The Foliage Network
  This is a New England based fall foliage site that provides information on the progression of fall foliage color throughout the eastern, southern and midwestern United States.
• Webcams of North Carolina
  One way to see fall colors without actually driving somewhere is to view the many webcams that are situated throughout the state. This webpage has links to many webcams in western North Carolina, and in other states. Note that some cameras are of higher quality and provide a better image than others. Also, the time of day you view the webcams can affect your perception of the intensity of the fall colors. Nonetheless, this is a useful site.
• Weekly Fall Color Reports for NC
  Presented by the North Carolina Department of Commerce, Division of Tourism, Film and Sports Development.

Share The Blue Ridge Parkway Fall Colors Tracker On Your Site

Contact us for details on how to share the Fall Colors Tracker graphics on your site.

The post Blue Ridge Parkway Fall Colors Tracker appeared first on Blue Ridge Parkway - Photo of the Day | Galleries.

Before setting out, check out our map of the Price Park trails.

Click on any photo to open the photo tour as a slideshow.

The post Photo Tour of Green Knob Trail, October 11, 2015 appeared first on Blue Ridge Parkway - Photo of the Day | Galleries.

Click on any photo to open the photo tour as a slideshow.

The post Photo Tour of Rough Ridge Trail, Milepost 302.8 appeared first on Blue Ridge Parkway - Photo of the Day | Galleries.

Click on any photo to open the photo tour as a slideshow.

The post Fall Color in the Craggy Gardens Area, October 5, 2015 appeared first on Blue Ridge Parkway - Photo of the Day | Galleries.

Fall is fast approaching with all its glorious colors!

Here in the latter half of September, we are beginning to see some of the telltale signs of fall. The days are getting shorter, the mornings cooler, and a few of the trees are starting to get a hint of fall color. The Parkway is still predominately green, but a few trees are starting to turn at the highest elevations. We are still a few weeks away from significant color changes, with the peaks commonly coming in early to mid October. To follow the color change this fall, check out our Blue Ridge Parkway Fall Color Tracker.

In the meantime…

The Late Summer Flowers

Many of the common late summer varieties of our beautiful blooming flowers can still be seen. Typically, in late September, there are a handful of flowers that fill the fields and meadows.

Milepost 280 to Milepost 331 – Boone/Blowing Rock to the Minerals Museum

These wildflowers can still be found in bloom from the Boone and Blowing Rock areas around Milepost 280 southward to the Minerals Museum at Milepost 331.

Near and Around Milepost 364 – The Craggy Gardens Area

The Craggy Gardens area at Milepost 364 is a great spot along the Parkway to find wildflowers, and these flowers can be found blooming at Craggy Gardens and in the surrounding areas.

Milepost 380 to Milepost 410 – Asheville south towards Mt. Pisgah

From the Asheville valley up in elevation to Mt. Pisgah, these flowers can be seen in bloom.

The Highest Elevations

At the very highest elevations all along the Parkway, the red berries of the Hawthorne tree and Mountain Ash tree are showing.

The Parkway is a beautiful place to take a drive this time of year, but it is not like most other roads, so take some special precautions while driving. Above all, slow down and take your time. Use the overlooks to let traffic that backs up behind you go by. Enjoy the view, but watch the road.

Additional Wildflower Information

Visit Virtual Blue Ridge’s complete Wildflower Bloom Schedule, or follow the links below for more information about the wildflowers currently blooming.

• Angelica (Angelica trinquinata)
• Black-Eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta)
• Bull Thistle (Cirsium vulgare)
• Cardinal Flower (Lobelia cardinalis)
• Gentian (Gentiana quinquefolia)
• Goldenrod (Solidago spp.)
• Hawthorne (Crataegus spp.)
• Heal-All (Prunella vulgaris)
• Ironweed (Vernonia noveboracensis)
• Jewelweed (Impatiens capensis)
• Joe-Pye Weed (Eupatorium purpureum)
• Mountain Ash (Sorbus americana)
• Phlox (Phlox carolina)
• Queen Anne’s Lace (Daucus carota)
• White Snakeroot (Ageratina altissima)
• Yarrow (Achillea millefolium)

The post Gallery of Parkway Wildflowers Blooming in Late September appeared first on Blue Ridge Parkway - Photo of the Day | Galleries.

Dogwood is blooming in Virginia, at the far northern end of the Parkway.

This time of year, visitors to the Blue Ridge Parkway can expect to see many of the common late summer varieties of our beautiful blooming flowers.

In Virginia, at the far northern end of the Parkway, we are seeing Queen Anne’s Lace, Black-Eyed Susan, Red Clover, Spotted Knapweed, Yarrow, White Campion, Virgin’s Bower, New York Ironweed, Jewelweed, Evening Primrose, Wild Bergamot, Common Pokeweed, White Snakeroot, Flowering Dogwood, Rosinweed, St. John’s Wort, Horsenettle, Slender Dayflower, and Common Milkweed all blooming.

Near Peaks of Otter, blooming Bladder Campion, Fall Foxglove, Virgin’s Bower, Jewelweed, Bull Thistle, Flowering Spurge, Leaf Cup, Wild Potato Vine, Black-Eyed Susan, Boneset, Crownbeard, Evening Primrose, Goldenrod, Hoary Mountain Mint, Indian Plantain, Ironweed, Joe Pye Weed, Rosinweed, Tick Trefoil, and Woodland Sunflower have all been seen.

In North Carolina, from the Linville Falls area towards the Minerals Museum and Crabtree Falls, we have blooms of Black-Eyed Susan, Canada Thistle, Foxglove, Garden Phlox, Giant Sunflower, Goldenrod, Joe Pye Weed, Morning Glory, Obedient Plant, Sneezeweed, Tall Ironweed, and Jewelweed.

Angelica is blooming at the southernmost end of the Parkway.

In the Craggy Gardens area through Asheville we have blooming Cutleaf Coneflower, White Wood Aster, Phlox, Filmy Angelica, Goldenrod, Heal-All, Joe Pye Weed, Yarrow, Bluets, Low Bindweed, Hawkweed, White Snakeroot, Pale Jewelweed, Stinging Nettle, and Calico Aster.

At the southern end of the Parkway, there are blooms of Coreopsis, Beebalm, Black-Eyed Susan, Cutleaf Coneflower, Joe-Pye Weed, Doddervine, Wood Aster, Indian Pipe, Goldenrod, Pale Jewelweed, Phlox, Hawkweed, Pink Turtlehead, White Snakeroot, Low Bindweed, Heal-All, Angelica, and Sourwood Trees.

The Parkway is a beautiful place to spend your summer, but it is not like most other roads, so take some special precautions while driving. Above all, slow down and take your time. Use the overlooks to let traffic that backs up behind you go by. Enjoy the view, but watch the road.

The post Blue Ridge Parkway Wildflower Report for September 1, 2015 appeared first on Blue Ridge Parkway - Photo of the Day | Galleries.

Phlox blooms can be purple, pink, and occasionally white.

This time of year, visitors to the Blue Ridge Parkway can expect to see many of the common summer varieties of our beautiful blooming flowers. Click on a specific wildflower to learn where along the Parkway it can be found (by milepost), what it looks like, and more.

In Virginia at the far northern end of the Parkway, we are seeing Queen Anne’s Lace, Common Milkweed, Spotted Knapweed, Red Clover, Daisy Fleabane, Rosinweed, Flowering Spurge, Smooth Sumac, Wild Bergamot, Common Yarrow, Horsenettle, Black Cohosh, White Snakeroot, Mapleleaf Vibernum, and Thoroughwort all blooming.

In North Carolina from Linville Falls towards the Minerals Museum and Crabtree Falls, we have blooms of Black-Eyed Susan, Beebalm, Black Cohosh, Coreopsis, Garden Phlox, Indian Pipe, Morning Glory, Goldenrod, Turk’s Cap Lily, and Sourwood trees.

In the Craggy Gardens area through Asheville, we have blooming Black-Eyes Susan, Yarrow, Queen Anne’s Lace, Oxeye Daisy, White Bergamot, Beebalm, Spiderwort, Phlox, Doddervine, Mullein, Cutleaf Coneflower, Turk’s Cap Lily, Common Rattlesnake Plantain, Low Bindweed, Mountain St. John’s Wort, and Sourwood trees.

Sourwood Trees put out blooms all along their branches in the Craggy Gardens area.

At the southern end of the Parkway there are blooms of Coreopsis, Turk’s Cap Lily, Beebalm, Black-Eyed Susan, Mountain St. John’s Wort, Fly Poison, Cutleaf Coneflower, Lobelia, Doddervine, Queen Anne’s Lace, various Wood Asters, Indian Pipe, Goldenrod, Pale Jewelweed, Clingman’s Hedge-nettle, and Sundrops.

We are starting to see some blueberries ripening at the higher elevations, so get ready to go picking!

The Parkway is a beautiful place to spend your summer, but it is not like most other roads, so take some special precautions while driving. Above all, slow down and take your time. Use the overlooks to let traffic that backs up behind you go by. Enjoy the view, but watch the road.

The post Blue Ridge Parkway Wildflower Report for August 4, 2015 appeared first on Blue Ridge Parkway - Photo of the Day | Galleries.

This time of year, visitors to the Blue Ridge Parkway can expect to see many of the common summer varieties of our beautiful blooming flowers. Click on a specific wildflower to learn where along the Parkway it can be found (by milepost), what it looks like, and more.

Turk’s Cap Lily can be found blooming from Linville Falls to the North Carolina Minerals Museum.

In Virginia, at the far northern end of the Parkway, we are seeing Black-Eyed Susans, Common Milkweed, Bladder Campion, Butter-and-Eggs, Red Clover, Black Cohosh, Daisy Fleabane, Spreading Dogbane, Tall Anemone, Rosinweed, Flowering Spurge, Common Elderberry, Smooth Sumac, Pokeweed, Apple Trees, Wild Bergamot, Yarrow, Coreopsis, Mullein, Spotted Knapweed, Queen Anne’s Lace, and common St. John’s Wort all blooming.

In North Carolina, a few last Rosebay Rhododendrons are blooming with lovely white to pink blooms, from the Moses Cone area south towards the Linn Cove Viaduct. Phlox, Cutleaf Coneflower, Yellow Jewelweed, White Beebalm, and Queen Anne’s Lace can also be seen blooming in the area.

From Linville Falls towards the Minerals Museum, blooms of Black-Eyed Susan, Beebalm, Black Cohosh, Butterfly Weed, Coreopsis, Garden Phlox, Milkweed, Rosebay Rhododendron, Morning Glory, Queen Anne’s Lace, and Turk’s Cap Lily can all be seen.

In the Craggy Gardens area through Asheville, we have blooming Black-Eyed Susan, Yarrow, Queen Anne’s Lace, Oxeye Daisy, Wild Hydrangea, Black Cohosh, White Bergamot, Beebalm, Daisy Fleabane, Spiderwort, Doddervine, Mullein, Cutleaf Coneflower, Turk’s Cap Lily, Common Milkweed, Morning Glory, Blazing Star, Mountain St. John’s Wort, and Sourwood trees.

Mullein forms dozens of bright yellow blooms on each tall stem.

At the Southern end of the Parkway, there are blooms of Coreopsis, Vibernum, Turk’s Cap Lilies, Beebalm, Phlox, Black-eyed Susan, Mountain St. John’s Wort, Fire Pink, Black Cohosh, Fly Poison, and Rosebay Rhododendron.

The Parkway is a beautiful place to spend your summer, but it is not like most other roads, so take some special precautions while driving. Above all, slow down and take your time. Enjoy the view, but watch the road.

The post Blue Ridge Parkway Wildflower Report for July 21, 2015 appeared first on Blue Ridge Parkway - Photo of the Day | Galleries.

Depending on the elevation, winter conditions can come as early as November on the Parkway, sometimes happening quickly and with little warning. During the winter months, expect many sections of the Blue Ridge Parkway to be closed due to accumulations of ice and snow. With our tunnels, long bridges, and shaded curves, these can sometimes be fairly long-term closures.

This is also the time of year that we work on road maintenance, with several long-term construction closures scheduled for this winter. Always check road conditions before heading out.

Hiking, biking, and cross-country skiing behind closed gates is welcomed and a wonderful way to experience nature’s quietness in our otherwise noisy world. If conditions allow, however, the Parkway is open to vehicle travel, and with colder temperatures, we often get those clear and crisp long-distance views from the ridgetops. And with the leaves off the trees, the views open up even more.

Always have some extra clothes and a few emergency supplies in the trunk of your car when traveling the Parkway in winter.

Spring opening dates generally happen on a staggered basis beginning about the first of May. These will be announced in early spring.

The post Winter on the Blue Ridge Parkway appeared first on Blue Ridge Parkway - Photo of the Day | Galleries.

During the winter months, the Blue Ridge Parkway works on road maintenance.  There are several long-term construction closures scheduled for this year. Always check road conditions before heading out.  Current winter projects resulting in road closures are listed below.

#1 – Ice Rock near the Alligator Back Parking Area
Milepost 241 – Milepost 243.5
November 3, 2014 – mid-April 2015

Milepost 241 to Milepost 243.5 will be fully closed beginning November 3, 2014 through mid-April 2015 for the final phase of an ice rock reconstruction project. The area is commonly known as Ice Rock near Alligator Back Parking Area, and both lanes of motor road will be closed to all visitors.

The final phase of the Historic Stone Guardwall Reconstruction Project began this spring utilizing a one-lane closure through the area. Prior to the full traffic closure, 24 hour, single-lane traffic closure through the project work zone will continue. The project goal is the restoration of the structural integrity and historic appearance of this important cultural resource.

With the exception of foot traffic on the Mountains-to-Sea Trail, the motor road will be closed to all visitors. Detour traffic signage will direct Parkway visitors around the closure area via US Highways 18 and 21. Access to Doughton Park following the regular seasonal operating schedule will remain open from the North via the Parkway. The area will be closed to ice climbing activities during this project.

The affected section of Parkway during this project is a showcase for the historic rock guard walls that line the motor road. Constructed during the period of the late 1930s, these rock walls are now an important historic Parkway resource. They were built in the rustic style used throughout other American national parks. These walls have become one of the significant features that define the visual and historic character of the Blue Ridge Parkway.

#2 – Devil’s Courthouse Tunnel
Milepost 420.3 – Milepost 423.3
November 3, 2014 – May 2015

A small section of motor road will be closed between existing gates at Milepost 420.3 near US Forest Service Road 816 (Black Balsam Road) and Milepost 423.3 at NC Highway 215. Both lanes in that section will be closed to all visitors beginning November 3, 2014 through May 2015.

During this closure, Devil’s Courthouse Overlook at Milepost 422.4 will be accessible from the south by foot, bicycle, or skis at NC Highway 215. The Art Loeb Trail crossing at Milepost 421.2 will be accessible from the north at Black Balsam Road. Visitors inside the closure are encouraged to use extreme caution and watch for construction related traffic also in the area.

Devil’s Courthouse Tunnel was originally constructed in 1941. This project will make repairs to the aging drainage system and concrete lining inside the tunnel. The work requires that portions of the overhead concrete lining be removed, creating potentially hazardous conditions for visitors that require a full road closure. The tunnel will be sealed and inaccessible to any traffic during this project.

Parkway tunnels are a significant design feature along the historic route. Twenty-five of the twenty-six tunnels along the Parkway are in North Carolina, with all Parkway tunnels representing 36% of the entire National Park Service tunnel inventory. Tunnels along the Parkway were often constructed to reduce excessive scarring that open cuts would entail, enabling the Parkway to cross through ridges in the interest of maintaining the most desirable route location. The distinctive stone masonry portals on most Parkway tunnels were generally not part of the original construction, added later in the 1950s and 1960s.

For more information about road closures, please visit the Parkway’s Real-Time Road map.

The post Blue Ridge Parkway Announces Two Winter Road Closures appeared first on Blue Ridge Parkway - Photo of the Day | Galleries.