Fall 2026 · Week of Oct 12
Where are the leaves best this week?
A regional fall color forecast for North Georgia, Western North Carolina, and East Tennessee. Scrub the week to watch color spread, pick a hotspot, then plan the trip on Stay Near.
Leaf season isn't active right now. Switch to Historical Trends to explore typical peak timing and elevation patterns across the region.
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Foliage status
Too EarlyBuildingPeakPast
Ridges peak first, valleys peak later — high elevations emit tighter, hotter color.
Scrub the season
Week of Oct 12, 2026
Week 5 of 10
Sep 14Oct 19Nov 16
Forecast Map Presented By
Nantahala Outdoor Center
Rafting, hiking, and lodging on the Nantahala Gorge.
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Inside or beside Best Leaf Areas — never styled like a forecast row.
Only 3 slots — placement assigned after review.
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Weekly colors are derived from each area's curated peak window and elevation. Mountain conditions can change quickly — confirm before a long drive.
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Where to go the week of Oct 12
North Georgia · 8 areas
North Georgia Fall Color PartnerAdvertise here#1 · GA · 4,784 ft
Brasstown Bald
Peak Color84%
- Curated peak
- Oct 10 – Oct 24
- Confidence
- High
- Best for
- Photography · Higher Elevation
#2 · GA · 1,980 ft
Hiawassee
Near Peak70%
- Curated peak
- Oct 15 – Oct 30
- Confidence
- High
- Best for
- Photography · Scenic Drives
#3 · GA · 1,750 ft
Blue Ridge
Building Color45%
- Curated peak
- Oct 18 – Nov 4
- Confidence
- High
- Best for
- Scenic Drives · Family-Friendly
#4 · GA · 1,926 ft
Blairsville
Building Color45%
- Curated peak
- Oct 15 – Nov 1
- Confidence
- High
- Best for
- Scenic Drives · Photography
#5 · GA · 1,444 ft
Helen
Building Color45%
- Curated peak
- Oct 20 – Nov 5
- Confidence
- High
- Best for
- Waterfalls · Family-Friendly
#6 · GA · 2,700 ft
Suches
Building Color45%
- Curated peak
- Oct 18 – Nov 2
- Confidence
- Moderate
- Best for
- Scenic Drives · Higher Elevation
#7 · GA · 1,306 ft
Ellijay
Starting25%
- Curated peak
- Oct 22 – Nov 8
- Confidence
- Moderate
- Best for
- Family-Friendly · Weekend Trip
#8 · GA · 1,467 ft
Dahlonega
Starting25%
- Curated peak
- Oct 25 – Nov 10
- Confidence
- Moderate
- Best for
- Waterfalls · Family-Friendly
Western North Carolina · 4 areas
Western NC Fall Color PartnerAdvertise here#1 · NC · 4,118 ft
Highlands
Peak Color86%
- Curated peak
- Oct 8 – Oct 22
- Confidence
- High
- Best for
- Waterfalls · Photography
#2 · NC · 3,486 ft
Cashiers
Near Peak70%
- Curated peak
- Oct 10 – Oct 26
- Confidence
- High
- Best for
- Scenic Drives · Waterfalls
#3 · NC · 1,535 ft
Murphy
Building Color45%
- Curated peak
- Oct 18 – Nov 3
- Confidence
- Moderate
- Best for
- Scenic Drives · Weekend Trip
#4 · NC · 2,134 ft
Asheville
Building Color45%
- Curated peak
- Oct 18 – Nov 5
- Confidence
- High
- Best for
- Scenic Drives · Photography
Great Smoky Mountains · 2 areas
Smokies Fall Color PartnerAdvertise here#1 · NC · 1,736 ft
Bryson City
Building Color45%
- Curated peak
- Oct 14 – Nov 2
- Confidence
- High
- Best for
- Waterfalls · Family-Friendly
#2 · TN · 6,643 ft
Great Smoky Mountains
Building Color45%
- Curated peak
- Oct 12 – Nov 4
- Confidence
- High
- Best for
- Scenic Drives · Photography
East Tennessee · 4 areas
East Tennessee Fall Color PartnerAdvertise here#1 · TN · 1,289 ft
Gatlinburg
Building Color45%
- Curated peak
- Oct 20 – Nov 6
- Confidence
- Moderate
- Best for
- Family-Friendly · Scenic Drives
#2 · TN · 1,027 ft
Townsend
Building Color45%
- Curated peak
- Oct 22 – Nov 5
- Confidence
- Moderate
- Best for
- Photography · Family-Friendly
#3 · TN · 902 ft
Tellico Plains
Building Color45%
- Curated peak
- Oct 18 – Nov 2
- Confidence
- Moderate
- Best for
- Scenic Drives · Waterfalls
#4 · TN · 1,024 ft
Pigeon Forge
Starting25%
- Curated peak
- Oct 24 – Nov 8
- Confidence
- Moderate
- Best for
- Family-Friendly · Weekend Trip