Without offense to New England, the Midwest, or any of the other uniquely beautiful regions that comprise the vast expanse of splendor that nature has bestowed on America, there simply is no more breathtaking way to experience the grandeur of autumn than a trip along the Blue Ridge Parkway.
Following the crest of the southern Appalachians for 469 miles through the Blue Ridge Mountain chain, the Parkway was more than fifty years in the making. Begun as the "Appalachian Scenic Highway" in 1935, the Parkway was one of FDR's Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) projects, intended to connect the nation's newest national parks. The Blue Ridge Parkway runs from the southern end of the Shenandoah National Park in Virginia to Oconaluftee, North Carolina's gateway to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park near Cherokee. The final portion of the monumental undertaking a seven mile stretch near Grandfather Mountain - was completed in 1987.
There is no commercial traffic on the Parkway, except for the occasional tour bus. Maximum speed is generally 45 mph. Over mountains, across creeks, through tunnels, the road meanders and curves through more than 81,000 acres of some of the most magnificent scenery on the continent. There are dozens of places to pull off and explore the surrounding natural beauty. Some are informational stops, some are commercially developed places where travelers can rest and refresh themselves, some are places of historic significance, and some are simply spots provided to enjoy the awe inspiring vistas.
A place of year round majesty, it is in the Fall of the year that the Blue Ridge Mountains put on their most regal and colorful raiment, and it is at this time of the year that many of the Blue Ridge Parkway's more than 20 million annual visitors flock to the highway to take in nature's most splendid display. Weekends are the busiest times along this magnificent stretch of roadway, so a day trip on a weekday might prove to be a more satisfying experience.
The peak of the fall color season usually occurs in the middle two weeks of October, although beautiful colors often last well into November. Elevations along the Parkway top out at around 5,700 feet. Colors peak earlier and fade faster in the higher elevations.
As a consideration to leaf-lookers, the US Forest Service offers a toll-free number that provides information about peak fall foliage colors. The "Fall Color Hotline" at (800) 354-4595 is updated weekly and operates through mid-November.
There are nearly 100 varieties of trees on display along the Blue Ridge Parkway. Birch, dogwood, poplar and sourwood trees are usually among the first to change colors, often beginning in late September. Some varieties of oak, hickory, elm and soft maple turn varying shades of yellow as the season progresses. Some varieties of ash leaves also turn yellow, but some, like the white ash, have a purplish hue, as do white oaks. Red oaks and hard maples display a brilliant flame-red hue. Generally speaking, deep summer greens still dominate the colorscape into late September and the first week of October. Then the reds, yellows, oranges, and browns begin to take over, peaking around the third week in October. But, again, much depends on elevation and weather conditions.
Besides the previously mentioned toll-free number, the National Park Service maintains a Blue Ridge Parkway information website at www.nps.gov/blri. Additionally, there are numerous privately run websites, such as www.highcountryparkway.com and www.virtualblueridge.com, providing the lowdown on fall colors and other aspects of the Parkway.
A day trip or more along any portion of the spectacular Blue Ridge Parkway
is an unforgettable way to experience the splendor of Fall. And don't forget your camera! There'll be memories that you will want to share and enjoy over and over for years to come.