Asheville, North Carolina is a vibrant and picturesque mountain town nestled in the Appalachian Mountain range. Each autumn, the region comes alive with a stunning display of fall foliage making it one of the best destinations for a fall vacation.

The changing leaves of the dense mountainous forests bring people all over the country to the eastern portion of the US each fall. I know that’s what brought me to Asheville in September of 2022. 

Fall is undoubtedly the most popular time to visit Asheville, thanks to the breathtaking foliage. In addition to the gorgeous mountain views, you’ll be treated to mild, comfortable temperatures—perfect for outdoor adventures.

While the timing of the foliage varies each year, the prime time to experience the fall colors in Asheville spans from the first week of October through the first week of November.

Before planning your trip it may be helpful to look at a fall color predictor online to have a more accurate estimation on when the leaves will be at their peak. 

In this post, I’ll share 15 unique outdoor activities to help you fully embrace the natural beauty of the changing seasons of Asheville. These ideas will ensure you make the most of your time in the Appalachian Mountains this fall.

1. Take a Drive on Blue Ridge Parkway

Starting off with probably my top recommendation I would give to anyone visiting Asheville in the fall: drive the Blue Ridge Parkway.

Blue Ridge Parkway is a gorgeous road that winds through the Blue Ridge Mountains that lie just east of Asheville. 

Other than the parkway being the most iconic scenic drive in the area, it’s riddled with hiking trails and scenic overlooks. I’ve hiked dozens of trails off Blue Ridge Parkway, and it remains one of my favorite places in the country.

It’s free to drive the Blue Ridge Parkway and all of the hikes and overlooks are free as well.

Something to keep in mind is that the leaves begin to change color at the higher altitudes first. The further north you drive, the higher elevation you’ll be in.

Colors will begin to change in the beginning of October higher up on the parkway while the lower elevations will stay green for a few more weeks. So just plan wisely which part of the parkway you want to explore when. 

Just in case you aren’t already convinced to explore the Blue Ridge Parkway, I want to let you know that it is free to car camp at the overlooks on the side of the scenic drive. I’m not sure if tent camping is allowed here, but a few of my friends and myself have pulled off at an overlook to sleep for the night in our cars and had no issues.

This is an absolutely perfect spot for anyone doing van life or living out of their car on a road trip. 

2. Go to the Drum Circle Downtown

Going downtown to the Asheville drum circle was an activity I loved attending every week during the fall time. The crisp air at night with the yellow and orange leaves falling into the busy streets of downtown Asheville creates a special kind of vibe.

The drum circle takes place every Friday night at Pritchard Park around 6 PM and usually goes no later than 10 PM. It’s one of Asheville’s greatest traditions and there’s always great energy with awesome people.

The best thing about the drum circles is that it is free to attend. Anyone is welcome to bring their own drum, dance in the circle, or just gather around and enjoy the music. 

Parking to get here can be tricky at times, I found myself parking in one of the parking garages close by. The only bad thing is that parking downtown usually costs whether it be street parking by the meter or paying to park in the parking garage. 

3. Pick Your Own Apples

Apple picking is a popular activity to do during the fall time, and there are tons of different places to pick your own fresh apples around the Asheville area.

A few of my favorite places are actually about a half hour drive south in a town called Hendersonville. So if you find yourself exploring the southern areas of Asheville, going apple picking would be a great way to spend a few hours of your day.

I would recommend the following orchards:

• Justus Orchards
• Sky Top Orchard
• Jeter Mountain Farm
• Stepp’s Hillcrest Orchard

The prime time for apple picking in this part of North Carolina is from mid- September to mid-October.

I would also recommend checking out the website of whichever orchard you plan on visiting because they will have a more detailed ripening guide so you can go during a week where your favorite apple variety is at its peak!

4. Go Hiking in Asheville

Without a doubt, fall is the most popular time to hike for visitors and the locals of Asheville. Hiking is one of the best ways to spend some quality time outdoors in the beautiful fall air and changing colors of the foliage.

There are truly endless hiking opportunities in the area. You can hike all over the Blue Ridge Parkway, in various forest areas such as the DuPont State Recreational Forest, Pisgah National Forest, Shining Rock Wilderness, and so many more. 

I’ve written a blog post on my favorite hikes in the Asheville area which can be found here if you need some trail inspiration. 

But AllTrails will literally be your best friend on your trip to Asheville. That’s how I’ve found a majority of the hikes I’ve been on when I visited the area. The app makes it incredibly easy to find trails near your location, so I highly recommend downloading it and exploring options that best suit your needs.

5. Soak in North Carolina’s Natural Mineral Hot Springs

If you’re able to drive out of town a little bit, you can head up to Hot Springs Resort & Spa which is just 45 minutes north of Asheville.

Located in the quaint mountain town of Hot Springs, people flock from all over to soak in their famous hot spring jacuzzis. These baths are famous for their healing powers which have been used for hundreds of years first by the Cherokee Indians, and now by travelers from all over the world. The mineral water is naturally heated underground along a volcanic fault line to a comfortable 98-102°F.

After all that hiking in chilly temperatures, soaking in a nice and hot mineral bath surrounded by the changing colors of the Blue Ridge Mountains is exactly what you’ll need. 

At the Hot Springs Resort & Spa, prices typically range between $50 and $100 for a one hour session, but it varies depending on the mineral bath you select. 

To learn more about the different kinds of hot springs available, you can visit the resort’s website here.

6. Visit a Pumpkin Patch in Asheville

What says fall more than visiting a pumpkin patch? You can find several small pumpkin patches around the Asheville area.

I remember just driving around West Asheville and stumbling upon little farms with pumpkins for sale all over. I’d see them just on the side of the road or outside of local shops.

If you’d rather pick your own pumpkin, you will probably have to head out to Hendersonville (30 minutes south) where you’ll find quite a few pumpkin patches.

Here’s some of the best pick your own pumpkin patches in Hendersonville:

• The Nix Pumpkin Patch
• Stepp’s Hillcrest Orchard
• Jeter Mountain Farm

Stepp’s Hillcrest Orchard and Jeter Mountain Farm I’ve also listed under places where you can go apple picking. Since you can pick your own apples and pumpkins there, both would make a great place to take a drive to during your fall trip to get both fresh apples and pumpkins. 

7. Visit the North Carolina Arboretum

Taking a trip to the North Carolina Arboretum is an excellent way to take in all the fall beauty in the area. It’s located a little more out of the city but it’s less than a 20 drive from downtown Asheville.

There are tons of very well-maintained trails here along with beautifully made gardens showcasing various kinds of plants. There is a nice bonsai garden and the wildly popular quilt garden which presents different seasonal plants in a gorgeous “quilt-style” pattern on the garden grounds. 

A visit to the arboretum in fall is sure to impress, as all the trees begin to turn shades of red, orange, and yellow as they backdrop the different plants and sculptures in the park.

When you pull up the arboretum on Google, it claims to be free to visit, however it is not free to park. There is a $20 fee per vehicle to park inside the arboretum. But once you’re in, you can stay as long as you want.

I actually had my very first black bear sighting when I visited the North Carolina Arboretum! It was a moment I’ll never forget. I still think it was kind of a random place to see a black bear since the arboretum is pretty popular, but I did arrive early in the morning before there were a ton of people there.

8. Drive to the Summit of Mount Mitchell

If you aren’t familiar with Mount Mitchell, it is the highest peak east of the Mississippi River located right in North Carolina just about an hour drive from Asheville. 

Mount Mitchell stands at 6,684 feet in elevation and since there’s a paved road that leads right to the top, anyone can easily access this gorgeous vantage point. 

The drive going up to the summit is very scenic as it takes you through the winding roads of the Blue Ridge Mountains. If you take this drive in mid-October you’re guaranteed to see all the different shades of fall foliage. 

When I went to the summit, as you can see by all the photos, most of the leaves are already gone and off the trees since I got there around the second week of November.

So if you’re looking to take a scenic drive around the Asheville area, I totally recommend a drive up to Mount Mitchell. It’s completely free to visit and there is no permit required.

If you’re feeling ambitious you can even hike to the top. It’s a 12 mile round trip and that’s actually how I got to the summit of Mount Mitchell. I’ve written about my experience solo hiking this mountain which you can read about here. 

9. Go Camping near Asheville

Asheville is surrounded by tons of great nature, so what better way to embrace all of it’s beauty than to go camping? There is so much BLM land within a short drive of Asheville.

If you aren’t familiar with BLM land, it’s short for Bureau of Land Management. Land owned by the BLM is completely free to camp on. There are often regulations on how long you can stay at one campsite such as no more than 14 consecutive days. This seems to be the average length of time allowed by most land owned by the BLM.

Pisgah National Forest is the most notable spot around Asheville that is owned by the BLM where you can camp for free.

I also mentioned earlier that you can car camp at the overlooks of the Blue Ridge Parkway as well. These are the two places I am most familiar with, but I would also recommend doing some searching on iOverlander to find even more free campsites around Asheville.

10. Kayak the French Broad River

If you arrive to Asheville in early fall and it isn’t too cold yet, try out kayaking down the French Broad River! You probably won’t want to get in the water much, but leisurely floating down the river taking in the beauty of the fall foliage along the riverbank is a gorgeous experience. 

The French Broad River is generally very calm and the section of the river that runs through Asheville has no big rapids, so it’s an easy float.

Even as you’re floating through the city you will be surrounded by the changing colors of the leaves on the trees. 

Check out this guide which shows you all the best spots to safely enter the water on your kayak. You can essentially choose wherever you want to start and stop.

Do keep in mind that this river flows north so you’ll start somewhere south of Asheville, and float north.

Most kayak trips like this you float down (in this case, north) to the end point of your trip, then you will have to find a ride back to your car where you started your trip. This is easy to do if you are floating with a group of people and have more than one car to use but that isn’t the case for most travelers. 

Renting Kayaks & Touring the French Broad River

French Broad Outfitters and Asheville Outdoor Center are two local companies that offer kayak rentals and shuttles for your trip. They host similar self-guided kayak tours of the French Broad River.

Both begin their trips at Bent Creek Park down by the North Carolina Arboretum, but the Asheville Outdoor Center ends their trip 7 miles later in the River Arts District while French Broad Outfitters ends their trip 6 miles later at Hominy Creek.

Tours by the Asheville Outdoor Center run through the beginning of October, start at $59 a person and include a free shuttle bus ride to take you back to your vehicle. 

French Broad Outfitters tours run throughout the entire month of October, starting at $50 a person. In addition to tours they also offer kayak rentals and (charged) shuttle services for people bringing their own equipment. 

These two companies are great options when it comes to a self-guided tour along the French Broad River if you don’t have your own kayak or a way to get back to your car. 

11. Zipline Through the Mountains

If you’re seeking an adrenaline rush this fall, a trip down a zipline through the Blue Ridge Mountains is the activity for you. 

There are a few different ziplining companies in the area:

If you want a zipline that’s more convenient and closer to the city, The Adventure Center of Asheville will be a great option for you.

This company offers a plethora of different activities including, biking courses, whitewater rafting, an aerial trail climbing course, and of course their most popular activity: ziplining. 

Not only will you be far above the tree line, but you will get a fantastic bird’s eye view of downtown Asheville. The Adventure Center has a few different zipline packages to choose from:

• Full Zipline Tour (2 hours) – $89
• Skyline Tour (1 hour) – $59

If you’re craving a more natural and secluded experience as you glide through the forest, then Navitat Canopy Adventures may be more your style.

They exclusively run their ziplines through the Blue Ridge Mountains so you’ll be surrounded by all the changing colors of the fall foliage and the seemingly endless mountains. 

They also have a couple of different tours available which all vary in price:

• Mountaintop Tour ( 2 hours) – $120
• Treetop Express (1 hour) – $59
• Navitat at Night (2.5 hours at night) – $140

I want to mention that Navitat Canopy Adventures is a little outside of Asheville in a small town called Barnardsville. It’s about a half hour drive north of Asheville.

So it might be a little out of the way but I think Navitat is the best option when it comes to a zipline in the mountains with the best views.

12. Bird Watch at Beaver Lake

Beaver Lake is a beautiful, quaint little park located in northern Asheville, around the Woodfin area. It’s easily accessible to visitors and locals living in the city as it isn’t very remote or out of the way.

I love Beaver Lake because there’s a nice paved trail that goes around the entire lake with stunning views of the mountains in the backdrop. Not only is it a great place for walking/ hiking, but there is a nice bird sanctuary in the heart of the park.

You can just type in “Beaver Lake Bird Sanctuary” into your Apple or Google Maps and it will take you right to the parking area which is just a short walk away from the bird viewing platform. It is free to visit.

Great Blue Herons are one of my favorite birds, and I was lucky enough to spot a few of them during my trips to Beaver Lake. Red-tailed hawks, peregrine falcons, red-bellied woodpeckers, along with many other types of birds have all been spotted at this park.

So if bird watching is something you’re interested in trying out, Beaver Lake Park is one of the best places for that around Asheville.

13. Visit the Eliada Corn Maze

Want to visit the largest corn maze in western North Carolina? Then you won’t want to miss the Eliada Fall Festival & Corn Maze.

Eliada is a company that provides basic needs and positive development programming to children of all ages. This includes after school programs, summer camps, foster care, and even equine assisted therapy. 

Each year Eliada puts on a corn maze and fall festival only a few minutes drive from downtown Asheville.

Their famous corn maze occupies 12 acres with over 4 miles of trails! In addition to the maze, there will be pumpkins for sale, hay rides, food trucks, lawn games, and many more outdoor activities. 

There’s other activities geared towards kids so if you’re traveling with little ones, this would be suitable for them. However, people of all ages can enjoy the massive corn maze and fall activities. 

In 2024, the Eliada Fall Festival and Corn Maze runs every weekend starting September 20th through October 27th.

Tickets are required, as this is not a free event. They are only $15 per person with kids 3 and under getting in for free. 100% of ticket sales goes towards the children and the families that Eliada supports.

14. Visit a Fall Festival in Asheville

In addition to the Eliada Fall Festival & Corn Maze, there are a few other options around Asheville when it comes to fall festivals. 

You can visit The Lovely Asheville Annual Fall Festival if you happen to be visiting the weekend of October 12th- 13th. At this festival you’ll see live music, informative speakers, and local vendors selling food and handmade goods. This takes place at Carrier Park in West Asheville, and the best part is that it’s completely free!

If you’re into art then the Asheville Art in the Park Fest is a great option for you to visit. This festival takes place on just 3 Saturdays in the month of October in 2024 (5th, 12th, & 19th). It takes place in Pack Square Park downtown and admission is free. This is a great way to support local artists and maybe even go home with a unique art piece as a souvenir of your time in Asheville. 

15. Play a Round of Disc Golf at Richmond Hill

One last fun way to experience the fall foliage and crisp autumn air around Asheville, is playing a round (or two) of disc golf. My favorite place to play was at Richmond Hill Park. It’s free to visit the park and to play. You will just have to bring your own discs.

Not sure if I’m the only one, but I usually always keep a few frisbees in my car since you never know when you’ll want to throw one around. I drove my car to Asheville so I had them with me.

I’m not the best frisbee golf player by any means, but I did have a great time playing. The course isn’t too challenging to where it’s impossible for beginners, but it also isn’t too easy where everyone would get a hole in one at each basket. 

That wraps up my list of my 15 favorite outdoor activities to enjoy during the fall season in Asheville, North Carolina!

Asheville is a wonderful place to make your home base for a fall vacation for anyone looking to experience the beauty of the Appalachian Mountains in the fall. This area has beautiful weather and some of the best recreation activities in autumn.

I hope this post has inspired you to get outside and embrace one of the most stunning times of the year in this remarkable region. Thank you for reading!