Fall Color Photo Tours
Fall color season: October 8th – November 1st
Offering workshop-style Guided Photo Trips for the fall color in the Mountains Near Asheville!
6 hours long
$190/person
All ages
We’re really looking forward to the 2026 Fall Color season here in Asheville! We offer guided fall-color tours and photography lessons that will take you to the spots that are showing the most color in the Blue Ridge Mountains! We keep a close eye on the different areas across the mountains and know which spots will have color and when. Spots are limited so we encourage booking as soon as possible.
These tours are not private but are limited to three participants per tour. If you would like to request a private fall color tour, please select the private tour option when checking out!
Timing:
This tour typically begins 5 hours before sunset.
What’s included:
Lessons, water, snacks, and private transportation.
What to wear:
Please wear seasonally appropriate clothing while being prepared for colder-than-expected temperatures at higher elevations. Rain gear and water shoes (for waterfalls) are encouraged!
Camera Equipment:
Each person should bring a camera of some sort, ideally, a DSLR or mirrorless camera but smartphones work! A tripod is highly recommended for non-phone photographers.
Other things to bring:
Snacks, a drink of your choice, sunscreen, and other personal needs should be brought as well.
2026 Blue Ridge Mountain Fall Color Guide
Week 1: High Elevation (Oct 5th – Oct 12th)
The first signs of color will appear at the highest elevations along the Parkway that include the following locations: Mt. Mitchell, Clingmans Dome, Craggy Gardens, Mt. Pisgah, Graveyard Fields, Black Balsam, Devil’s Courthouse, Waterrock Knob, and the whole stretch of Parkway between Highway 215 and Richland Balsam.
Week 2: High-mid Elevation (Oct 12th – Oct 19th)
Right after the high elevations have changed, you’ll start to see good color at elevations between 4,000ft – 5,000ft. Some of these locations include Frying Pan Tower, Pisgah Inn, Rough Ridge Lookout, Linn Cove Viaduct, Beacon Heights, and Skinny Dip Falls.
Week 3: Mid Elevation (Oct 19th – Oct 26th)
The mid-elevations (3,000ft – 4,000ft) will begin to change in this time period. Some of the locations found at this elevation include Crabtree Falls, Rattlesnake Lodge, Price Lake, and Linville Falls.
Week 4 & 5: Low Elevation (Oct 26th – Nov 5th)
The low elevations (2,000ft – 3,000ft) will be colorful near the last week of October. This includes the entire city of Asheville, Grove Park Inn, Folk Art Center, Brevard, Hendersonville, Black Mountain, Looking Glass Falls, Cherokee, NC Arboretum, and much more.