The predicted color stage on the selected date, modelled from years of fall color records. A forecast, not a live observation.When each area's color is predicted to peak this season. The date doesn't change this view.

Pisgah National Forest

Mountain views, waterfalls, and fall forests.

Typical peak
Oct 25
Late October
Best Viewing Window
Oct 20 – Oct 30
Mid October to Late October
Latest color reading
Moderate color
The newest satellite reading was 4 days old at the latest update.
17 sample points · about 6 clear looks per point.
The most recent reading we have, not a forecast; color may have moved since.

Forest Composition

Oak Hickory dominant
Oak / Hickory75%
94% deciduous canopy (forest survey)

Conditions & 5-Day Forecast

Fetching forecast...

Nearby Towns

Asheville29 mi54 minPickens41 mi1 hr 13 min

More places near Transylvania County

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Field notes · 2026 estimate

When to see peak color at Pisgah National Forest

Peak fall color is predicted around October 25. Plan for the strongest viewing window from October 20 to October 30.

Predicted peakOctober 25
Best windowOctober 20 – October 30
Confidence range±5 days

The prediction comes from 14 years of fall color records at this spot, checked against what observers on the ground saw. Where state foliage spotters report peak (New York, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin and Missouri), it has landed inside our ±5-day window about two years in three. An unusual summer or autumn can still move it further. Explore fall color around Transylvania County and across North Carolina.

That is 5 days later than usual (October 21): the six weeks to October 13 ran 3.7°F warmer than the 2001–2025 average, and a warmer run before peak delays the color. This will settle about ten days before peak, as the weather comes in.

Nearby locales

Other places to see color near Pisgah National Forest

30 to 60 minutes

1 to 2 hours