Stay where & when the leaves are peaking
Track fall color across North Georgia, Western North Carolina, and Southern / East Tennessee — then find scenic rides, nearby stays on Stay Near, and local businesses worth a stop.
Turn layers on/off to see how color moves from higher ridges down into the valleys.
Ridges often peak 1–2 weeks before nearby lower valleys.
Rafting, hiking, and lodging on the Nantahala Gorge.
Only 3 slots — placement assigned after review.
How this forecast is built
Updated using elevation, historical peak timing, and seasonal signals across the Southern Appalachians.
Color varies by elevation. Higher ridges often peak before nearby valleys.
Where to go the week of Oct 12
North Georgia · 11 areas
North Georgia Fall Color PartnerAdvertise hereRidge color first. Nearby valleys may still be building.
- Peak window
- Oct 10 – Oct 24
- Best for
- Photography · Higher Elevation
Higher ridges may peak before nearby valleys.
- Peak window
- Oct 15 – Oct 30
- Best for
- Photography · Scenic Drives
Higher ridges may peak before nearby valleys.
- Peak window
- Oct 14 – Oct 30
- Best for
- Higher Elevation · Scenic Drives
Color is building. Watch the next 7–10 days.
- Peak window
- Oct 18 – Nov 4
- Best for
- Scenic Drives · Family-Friendly
Color is building. Watch the next 7–10 days.
- Peak window
- Oct 15 – Nov 1
- Best for
- Scenic Drives · Photography
Color is building. Watch the next 7–10 days.
- Peak window
- Oct 20 – Nov 5
- Best for
- Waterfalls · Family-Friendly
Color is building. Watch the next 7–10 days.
- Peak window
- Oct 18 – Nov 2
- Best for
- Scenic Drives · Higher Elevation
Color is building. Watch the next 7–10 days.
- Peak window
- Oct 18 – Nov 4
- Best for
- Scenic Drives · Waterfalls
Color is building. Watch the next 7–10 days.
- Peak window
- Oct 22 – Nov 6
- Best for
- Waterfalls · Photography
- Peak window
- Oct 22 – Nov 8
- Best for
- Family-Friendly · Weekend Trip
- Peak window
- Oct 25 – Nov 10
- Best for
- Waterfalls · Family-Friendly
Western North Carolina · 11 areas
Western NC Fall Color PartnerAdvertise hereRidge color first. Nearby valleys may still be building.
- Peak window
- Oct 6 – Oct 22
- Best for
- Higher Elevation · Photography
Ridge color first. Nearby valleys may still be building.
- Peak window
- Oct 8 – Oct 22
- Best for
- Waterfalls · Photography
Ridge color first. Nearby valleys may still be building.
- Peak window
- Oct 8 – Oct 24
- Best for
- Higher Elevation · Scenic Drives
Higher ridges may peak before nearby valleys.
- Peak window
- Oct 10 – Oct 26
- Best for
- Scenic Drives · Waterfalls
Higher ridges may peak before nearby valleys.
- Peak window
- Oct 14 – Oct 30
- Best for
- Scenic Drives · Photography
Higher ridges may peak before nearby valleys.
- Peak window
- Oct 14 – Oct 30
- Best for
- Family-Friendly · Scenic Drives
Higher ridges may peak before nearby valleys.
- Peak window
- Oct 10 – Oct 26
- Best for
- Higher Elevation · Scenic Drives
Color is building. Watch the next 7–10 days.
- Peak window
- Oct 18 – Nov 3
- Best for
- Scenic Drives · Weekend Trip
Color is building. Watch the next 7–10 days.
- Peak window
- Oct 18 – Nov 5
- Best for
- Scenic Drives · Photography
Color is building. Watch the next 7–10 days.
- Peak window
- Oct 14 – Nov 1
- Best for
- Scenic Drives · Family-Friendly
Color is building. Watch the next 7–10 days.
- Peak window
- Oct 18 – Nov 4
- Best for
- Waterfalls · Photography
Great Smoky Mountains · 4 areas
Smokies Fall Color PartnerAdvertise hereRidge color first. Nearby valleys may still be building.
- Peak window
- Oct 8 – Oct 22
- Best for
- Higher Elevation · Scenic Drives
Color is building. Watch the next 7–10 days.
- Peak window
- Oct 14 – Nov 2
- Best for
- Waterfalls · Family-Friendly
Color is building. Watch the next 7–10 days.
- Peak window
- Oct 12 – Nov 4
- Best for
- Scenic Drives · Photography
Color is building. Watch the next 7–10 days.
- Peak window
- Oct 22 – Nov 6
- Best for
- Photography · Family-Friendly
East Tennessee · 5 areas
East Tennessee Fall Color PartnerAdvertise hereColor is building. Watch the next 7–10 days.
- Peak window
- Oct 20 – Nov 6
- Best for
- Family-Friendly · Scenic Drives
Color is building. Watch the next 7–10 days.
- Peak window
- Oct 22 – Nov 5
- Best for
- Photography · Family-Friendly
Color is building. Watch the next 7–10 days.
- Peak window
- Oct 18 – Nov 2
- Best for
- Scenic Drives · Waterfalls
Color is building. Watch the next 7–10 days.
- Peak window
- Oct 20 – Nov 5
- Best for
- Scenic Drives · Waterfalls
- Peak window
- Oct 24 – Nov 8
- Best for
- Family-Friendly · Weekend Trip
Find the experience first. Then stay near it.
WhereLeavesPeak shows where color is peaking. Stay Near plans the trip — cabins, lodges, vacation rentals, restaurants, and experiences within driving distance of peak color.
Ride near the color with North Georgia Rides.
Planning a fall ride? Check the color first, then find the best mountain routes nearby — scenic drives, motorcycle loops, and ride-friendly towns across GA, TN and NC curated by North Georgia Rides.
- Cherohala Skyway · color tunnel
- Wolfpen Gap loop (GA-180)
- Newfound Gap Road · Smokies
- Blue Ridge Parkway · NC
- Tail of the Dragon · TN/NC
Restaurants, wineries, outfitters, guides — get featured.
Travelers use the peak color map to decide where to go. Make sure your business appears when your area is getting attention.
Travelers search for the experience first.
WhereLeavesPeak helps travelers find the best color, then sends them to nearby stays and local businesses. Get your property in front of them when they're choosing where to stay.
- • Highest-intent traveler traffic of the year
- • Forecast map sends visitors to your region
- • One Stay Near listing, multiple traffic brands
- • No auto-publishing — you approve everything
Own a forecast area, a peak week, or a full-region bundle.
Limited inventory. Scarcity sells — only one sponsor per forecast area per category. Bundle with North Georgia Rides or Stay Near for cross-brand reach.
- Forecast Area Sponsor
- Peak Week Sponsor
- Scenic Ride Sponsor
- Stay Near + Leaf Bundle
- Scenic Rides + Leaf Bundle
- Regional Fall Color Sponsor