2 Days in Pisgah National Forest During the Fall Foliage with Easy Hikes
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Pisgah National Forest, near Asheville, North Carolina, is one of the best places to view the fall foliage in October and it’s been on our bucket list for quite some time. We finally made the trip this year with a couple of girlfriends and it was everything we imagined it would be. The various colors of all the trees were magical and the scenery along Blue Ridge Parkway were absolutely stunning.
We went the third week of October and it was definitely the peak time for all of its beautiful colors. We spent two full days driving through Pisgah National Forest and stopping by stunning overlooks along with some easy hikes. Pisgah National Forest is dog-friendly, so Crystal’s corgi, Kuma, was able to join us on our adventures as well.
Blue Ridge Parkway
The temperatures in the region can vary quite a bit, ranging from 40°F in the mornings and evenings to a comfortable 70°F during the day. This fluctuation highlights the importance of dressing in layers, so you can easily adapt to the changing temperatures throughout the day.
GETTING HERE
The closest airport to Pisgah National Forest is Asheville Regional Airport (AVL), which is about 15 miles away and usually takes about 30 minutes of driving time. Other nearby airports include Greenville/Spartanburg (GSP), which is 46 miles away, and Knoxville (TYS), which is 74.5 miles away.
We chose to drive from Tampa, Florida, which is 650 miles away and takes 9-10 hours. It’s a pretty simple drive and Crystal has made the trip solo as well with Kuma.
Pisgah National Forest
WHERE TO STAY
We wanted to stay in a somewhat remote location with a view and found the perfect Airbnb in Chandler, North Carolina. It was a beautiful home that was very spacious with 3 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms. We highly recommend staying here if you are looking for a place that’s away from the hustle and bustle.
You can also stay in downtown Asheville if you would like to stay near more activities and eateries. I personally stayed at Kimpton Hotel Arras with Kuma and had a fantastic experience there.
Airbnb in Chandler, North Carolina
PISGAH NATIONAL FOREST 2-DAY ITINERARY
The Blue Ridge Parkway within Pisgah National Forest stretches about 470 miles from North Carolina to Virginia. We explored a small portion of this parkway and generally stayed around mile markers 316 to 417 in North Carolina near Asheville.
We arrived in Asheville Saturday afternoon and checked into our Airbnb early at around 2 PM. We unpacked our things, settled in, cooked dinner, and relaxed our first night so that we were ready for a full-day itinerary for the next day.
Views of Pisgah National Forest
Crystal’s Outfit from ALo Yoga Candy’s Outfit from Icebreaker
DAY 1 (Sunday, Oct. 22) - Sunrise 7:42 AM / Sunset 6:46 PM
10 AM Looking Glass Falls
This is the most convenient waterfall you can see at Pisgah National Forest. You can either look at the waterfall from above or hike down to the base of the waterfall, which is a very short walk. There will be lots of visitors here since it is such an easy and convenient waterfall to see.
There is no parking lot at this location, so you will have to park on the side of the road, but there were plenty of spaces to park.
Looking Glass Falls
Kuma rock climbing
Views on the opposite side of Looking Glass Falls
12 PM East Fork Overlook (MILEPOST 418.3)
On our way up to Graveyard Fields, we saw a stunning overlook and stopped by for a few minutes to snap some photos and take in the views. The vibrant colors of the trees in the distance were absolutely breathtaking.
East Fork Overlook
12:30 PM Graveyard Fields Loop Trail (MILEPOST 418.8)
Graveyard Fields is another popular stop within Pisgah National Forest, so parking will most likely be full, but be patient and wait around for a few minutes for someone to leave. That’s exactly what we did and we snagged a great parking spot.
Before you start on the hike, it might be a good idea to use the restroom here. This hike is a 1.3-mile loop, but we just did the first half mile or so. We hiked down to the bridge where there was a nice area to relax by the creek. Kuma had a great time wading through the water.
Crystals and Kuma enjoying the Fall views
Graveyard Fields Loop Creek
Graveyard Fields Loop Hiking Trail
2:30 PM Lunch
It’s best to pack your own lunch, like we did, as there are not many eateries nearby. There are numerous picnic tables throughout the parkway and we saw many visitors utilizing them to eat their meals with their families. If you want to stop by somewhere to eat, there was a general store we passed by or you can drive to downtown Asheville.
5 PM Cowee Mountain Overlook (MILEPOST 430.7)
We are always on the hunt for good sunset spots and this overlook is definitely the best spot to take in the sunset views. The mountain layers are breathtaking and there’s plenty of room for everyone to enjoy this magical moment.
Sunset at Cowee Mountain Overlook
Girl’s trips are the best!
Gorgeous rolling Mountains
DAY 2 (Monday, Oct. 23) - Sunrise 7:42 AM / Sunset 6:46 PM
10 AM Yonahlossee Overlook / Linn Cove Viaduct (MILEPOST 303.9)
When people think of the Blue Ridge Parkway, most imagine the Linn Cove Viaduct. It’s an iconic site where the road wraps around Grandfather Mountain. It took many years to build this part of the parkway, so it’s a significant section.
You can park at Yonahlossee Overlook or on the side of the road and walk along a little trail to grab some photos and marvel at the incredible views. There’s also a short hike you can do underneath the viaduct.
Yonahlossee Overlook
Narrow Pathway
Linn Cove Viaduct
11 AM Rough Ridge (MILEPOST 302.8)
Right down the road from Yonahlossee Overlook is Rough Ridge. You can do a 1.2-mile hike here that is very popular and offers some of the best long-range scenic views. It is considered a moderate hike, but some say that it can be challenging at times with rocks and roots.
1:30 PM Lunch at Linville Falls Picnic Area
Before starting your next hike, enjoy your lunch at one of the many picnic tables offered near Linville Falls. We had a lovely time relaxing here with the tall, colorful trees surrounding us.
Lunch at Linville Falls Picnic Area
2:30 PM Linville Falls (MILEPOST 316)
Linville Falls is one of the most popular and photographed waterfalls on the Parkway. It’s an easy 1-mile hike but be prepared for crowds. There are a few narrow passageways and it can get a bit chaotic especially when trying to squeeze by with dogs. There were a lot of visitors with their dogs as well, including us.
There are three viewpoints where you can see the waterfall and the best view is definitely at the base of the waterfall.
There are two parking lots you can use to access the trail. We parked at the smaller gravel parking lot, so it was very limited, but there is another parking lot at the Linville Falls Visitor Center. Make sure you take note of where you parked because we made the mistake of walking back to the wrong parking lot and had to backtrack.
Linville Falls
Linville Falls trail
Linville Falls from a distance
5 PM Mt. Mitchell State Park (MILEPOST 355)
To finish the day, stop by Mitchell State Park and catch the sunset here as it is the highest peak east of the Mississippi. The summit provides dramatic and long-range views. There is also an observation tower and concession stand.
TIPS
Check for road closures before driving on the road as the weather in the mountains can change drastically
Stay up-to-date with foliage news on the Blue Ridge Parkway Facebook page
Be prepared for the weather and temperature changes and pack accordingly
Familiarize yourself with the Blue Ridge Parkway mileposts
Pack lots of snacks and water
