Welcome to your Asheville fall color report! This is the first of many weekly updates we'll be sending your way, packed with the best fall foliage and event info the mountains have to offer.

Asheville's 2026 fall color season appears poised to arrive with its usual vibrancy, according to Appalachian State University biologist Howard Neufeld.

Autumn should roll down the mountains in waves, lighting up the highest ridgelines first before ribbons of gold, crimson and amber sweep toward the city. With healthy trees and recent rainfall working in its favor, the Blue Ridge is setting the stage for a particularly vivid show. 

Zip line through lush crimson fall foliage. Drive with the windows down on the Blue Ridge Parkway. Hike to golden peaks in Pisgah National Forest. Savor the flavors of the season. There are so many way to experience fall in the Asheville area. How will you tell your story?

Meet Asheville's Fall Color Hunters, a group of talented local photographers passionate about capturing the natural beauty of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Each week, they'll share updates on when and where to catch the region's best and brightest fall color, plus local insights on what to expect when visiting Asheville during the fall.