NC High Country Fall Fun Guide

As summer winds down, we are getting excited for fall here in the NC Mountains! Our Fall Guide provides information on the color forecast, along with fall events, activities and festivals.

Peak Leaf Color Forecast

Dr. Howard Neufeld (aka "The Fall Color Guy") is a professor of Plant Ecophysiology at Appalachian State University who has provided information about local fall color for the last 11 years. According to the Fall Color Report, we usually see fall colors peak around October 11- 14 in the Boone area, and sooner by a few days up to a week at hiaher elevations

Peak Color Predictions for 2022:

• Late September-first week of October. Elevations above 4,500 feet (Grandfather Mountain, Rough Ridge Trail, Beech Mountain)
  
• October 10-20: Elevations 4,500-3,000 feet (Banner Elk)
  
• October 20-31: Elevations 3,000-2,000 feet (Boone, Blowing Rock, West Jefferson)

Click here for more information on the Fall Foliage 2022 Forecast

Follow "The Fall Color Guy" on Facebook for weekly updates

Pumpkin Patches & Corn Mazes

New River Corn Maze

Opening Saturday, September 16, 2022

Brown Family Farm, Deep Gap, NC

Enjoy beautiful scenery, picnics next to the river, hayrides, and get lost in the maze. Haunted hayrides will be available at Halloween. Open every Saturday and Sunday, September 16th through October 22nd

C & J Pumpkin Patch and Corn Maze

September 3rd - October 30th

Located right near the Brookshire Park trails, C & J Farm offers a corn maze, pumpkin patch and hayrides! You can also experience the

Haunted Trail every Friday and Saturday night in October from 7-10pm.

Harvest Farm

Harvest Farm, Valle Crucis

Opening Sept. 17th

Harvest Farm Corn Maze and Pumpkin Patch features a 7-acre corn maze, a pumpkin patch to pick your own pumpkin, and hayrides! Enjoy the beautiful scenery with this family-friendly venue, perfect for a fall weekend.

Fall Events & Festivals

Appalachian State Football

270 Stadium Drive, Boone

It's officially football season! Cheer on the Mountaineers at Kidd Brewer Stadium, surrounded by Boone's beautiful fall scenery and cool autumn temperatures. Click here for the full 2022 football schedule.

Autumn at Oz

i» ¿Land of Oz, Beech Mountain

September 9-11; 16-18; 23-25

The Autumn at Oz annual event returns for three weekends in September, starting September 9th. In addition to a trip down the yellow brick road, there will be activities, food and live performances.

Click here to order tickets

Ghost Train at Tweetsie Railroad

Opening September 29th

Tweetsie Railroad, Blowing Rock, NC

Tweetsie Railroad will transform into a haunted park with Halloween thrills for all ages, starting September 29th! Every Friday and Saturday night until October 29th, you can catch a nighttime ride on the Ghost Train, check out the Haunted House, enjoy the amusement rides in the Creepy Carnival and more! Click here to order tickets.

Oktoberfest at Sugar Mountain

Sugar Mountain Resort

October 8th and 9th

The 22nd annual Oktoberfest features The Harbour Towne Fest Band and a festive Bavarian atmosphere. Enjoy beautiful fall follage, cool mountain air and a weekend full of festivities! This event is for the whole family, so be sure to bring the kids.

Valle Country Fair

Saturday, October 15th

Valle Crucis, NC (across from Holy Cross Church)

Valle Crucis is one of the most picturesque valleys in the North Carolina mountains, and it's especially beautiful at the peak of the fall color season. The Valle Country Fair is an authentic harvest-season celebration with handmade crafts, home-cooked food and mountain music!

Woolly Worm Festival

October 15-16

Historic Banner Elk Elementary School

The 45th Annual Woolly Worm Festival returns to Banner Elk for a weekend of family fun, food, craft vendors, and of course, the Woolly Worm race!