Fall is finally here! The weather is (slowly) getting cooler, and here in the Triangle, fall foliage is on its way soon! If you’re looking for a way to get outside, stretch your legs a bit, and enjoy some gorgeous autumn colors, we’ve got some recommendations.
Here are the best fall foliage spots near the Triangle suburbs.
Raven Rock State Park
Location: Lillington, NC
Best time for foliage: Early November
Located just outside of Lillington, NC, Raven Rock State Park is right in the heart of the Triangle area, so it’s a perfect day trip. Its miles of hiking trails traverse steep terrain through mountain laurel and dense woods, yielding breathtaking views over the Cape Fear River atop a 150-foot bluff.
Jordan Lake State Park
Location: Apex/Cary
Best time for fall foliage: Early November
Surrounding the massive Jordan Lake, Jordan Lake State Recreation Area is a local favorite for all kinds of outdoor adventures—boating, fishing, camping, hiking, biking, swimming, and more. And during the autumn season, it’s an especially beautiful time of year for leaf-peeping, particularly around sunset.
Occoneechee Mountain State Park
Location: Hillsborough, NC
Best time for foliage: Early November
Another easy Triangle-area day trip, Occoneechee Mountain State Natural Area isn’t just a great place for witnessing beautiful fall colors or fishing along the banks of the Eno River. It also offers hiking trails climbing to the highest point in the Triangle area. The Overlook Trail traverses oak forest to the summit of Occoneechee Mountain, for gorgeous views over the Eno River.
Medoc Mountain State Park
Location: Brinkleyvill, NC
Best time for foliage: Early November
Located a little ways outside of the Triangle (north of Rocky Mount, about an hour northeast of Raleigh), Medoc Mountain State Park is well-worth the drive, thanks to its variety of trees, like sweet gum trees, birch, and alder, which put on an amazing display of reds and yellows. The park features a scenic Fishing Creek, as well as about 10 miles of hiking trails, some of which climb several hundred feet to the top of Medoc Mountain for truly magnificent views.
Uwharrie National Forest
Location: Troy, NC
Best time for foliage: Late October, early November
Also a little ways outside of the Triangle (about an hour and 45 minutes west and a little south of Raleigh), Uwharrie National Forest spans over 50,000 acres and encompasses an enormous variety of gorgeous fall colors. Thanks to its immense size, Uwharrie offers a nearly endless array of outdoor activities—hiking, biking, camping, hunting, fishing, horseback riding, nature view, outdoor learning, and more.
Hanging Rock State Park
Location: Danbury, NC
Best time for foliage: Late October, early November
Located north of Winston-Salem, Hanging Rock State Park is about two hours and 15 minutes west and north of Raleigh, making it a doable day trip but also a great weekend getaway. The short hike to the summit yields absolutely spectacular views of the brightly-colored Blue Ridge Mountains to the west, the Piedmont to the east, and the beautiful George Washington National Forest to the north. The park offers 20+ miles of additional hiking rails, a stock fishing lake, canoe rentals, biking trails, and even rock climbing.
South Mountains State Park
Location: Connelly Springs, NC
Best time for foliage: Mid to late October
Sitting northwest of Charlotte and just east of the Pisgah National Forest, South Mountains State Park is a bit of a drive (about 3 and a half hours from Raleigh), but it’s a great leaf-peeping getaway, thanks to its 40+ miles of rugged hiking trails, its gorgeous waterfalls, and numerous opportunities for backcountry and equestrian camping. And since the park sits at 3,000 feet elevation, the fall colors start early!
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