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25 places to view the fall leaves... while they last

Grandfather Mountain is heading past the peak of their fall foliage BUT you can still see some of the breathtaking Carolina fall foliage.

LINVILLE, N.C. — Fall is flying by already and if you wait you may miss one of the best leaf-peeping seasons we have had in a few years. 

In a year that has taken so much away, the Carolina Mountains are doing their best to brighten our spirits in what many of us deem the best time of the year

“There's just nothing like it anywhere,” said Steven Nobile from Tampa Bay, Florida.

“We have been marveling at all the different colors of Fall and all the different shades of yellow, orange, and red it's gorgeous,” says Mary Johnson from Miami Florida.

Prime location: Grandfather Mountain

For the high elevations — like Grandfather Mountain — we are going past the peak right now but it is still going to be prime over the next week or so.

“Something that is great about Grandfather Mountain is that even when we are past the peak up at the top at Grandfather Mountain, we can still look down in elevation and you can see all of those colors cascading down the Mountain,” mentions Lauren Farrell, a spokesperson with Grandfather Mountain.

Everything is open at the Mountain BUT masks are required.

“So it’s a good safe place to enjoy some of the best fall color years we’ve had in a long time even despite everything that is going on right now,” mentioned Farrell. 

If this is your weekend plan you must preregister online to come up here and enjoy the view.  

"We are limiting the amount of people that come in every half hour to encourage social distancing," said Farrell.

The hours are 8 a.m. until 6:30 p.m. every day but the last reservation time is at 5 p.m.

CLICK HERE if you would like to reserve your spot.

And even through masks, you could see people were joyful and smiling, 

“It’s been a rough couple months for everybody… I’ve been stuck at home working from home… So it’s been really nice to get out to breathe the fresh air and enjoy your time outdoors,” says Mary Johnson.

At Grandfather Mountain, the wonders never cease but the leaves eventually do. Seize the day and enjoy this great escape from our current every day. Something that all of us need right now.

25 overlooks to view fall leaves in western North Carolina mountains

North Toe River Valley Overlook

Blue Ridge Pkwy, Newland, NC 28657

Bear Den Overlook

Blue Ridge Pkwy, Marion, NC 28752

Wiseman's View Scenic Overlook

Marion, NC 28752

Big Flat Rock Overlook

Morganton, NC 28655

Lost Cove Cliffs Overlook

3744 Blue Ridge Pkwy, Linville, NC 28646

Little Bald Overlook

Blue Ridge Pkwy, Linville, NC 28646

Milepost 305 Blue Ridge Parkway

Blue Ridge Pkwy, Linville, NC 28646

Grandfather Mountain Overlook

Blue Ridge Pkwy, Linville, NC 28646

Stack Rock Parking Area

Blue Ridge Pkwy, Linville, NC 28646

Rough Ridge Lookout

Grandfather Mountain, NC.

3218 Blue Ridge Pkwy, Linville, NC 28646

Flat Rock View

Nuwati Trail, Banner Elk, NC 28604

Wilson Creek Valley Overlook

3051 Blue Ridge Pkwy, Newland, NC 28657

Pilot Ridge Overlook

Blue Ridge Pkwy, Blowing Rock, NC 28605

Green Mountain Overlook

100 Blue Ridge Pkwy, Blowing Rock, NC 28605

Price Lake Overlook

Price Lake Trail, Blowing Rock, NC 28605

Moses Cone Overlook

Blue Ridge Pkwy, Blowing Rock, NC 28605

Flat Top Lookout Tower

The Flat Top Rd, Blowing Rock, NC 28605

Yadkin Valley Overlook

Blue Ridge Pkwy, Blowing Rock, NC 28605

Raven Rocks Overlook

Blue Ridge Pkwy, Boone, NC 28607

Thunder Hill Overlook

Blowing Rock, NC 28605

Boone's Trace Overlook

394 Critcher Rd, Boone, NC 28607

Grandview Overlook

Blue Ridge Pkwy, Boone, NC 28607

Elk Mountain Overlook

 25740 Blue Ridge Pkwy, Boone, NC 28607

Lewis Fork Overlook

Blue Ridge Pkwy, Purlear, NC 28665

Sunset Overlook

Mount Jefferson State Natural Area

1384-1944, Mt Jefferson St Park Rd, West Jefferson, NC 28694

RELATED: Why the weather has helped create a beautiful leaf peeping season!

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Before You Leave, Check This Out