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Grandfather and Beech leaves could peak first, followed by Banner Elk, Blowing Rock and Boone
Mid-October in the High Country is shaping up to be peak leaf season. (Photo: Kevin Young/The 5 and 2 Project)
The middle of October is looking like the sweet spot for peak leaf season in much of the Boone/Blowing Rock/Banner Elk area.
Recent forecasts say the mountains are beginning to show the first hints of fall color, particularly at higher elevations, but the landscape remains mostly green.
The color change generally works its way downhill, meaning there isn’t a single “peak weekend” for the entire High Country. Grandfather Mountain and other elevations above 5,000 feet should see their best color in early to mid-October.
Banner Elk and other areas around 4,000 feet should follow, with Boone, Blowing Rock and West Jefferson likely reaching peak color around the middle to third week of October.
The forecast from Explore Fall – which says it uses a “cutting-edge, in-house fall foliage model that evaluates real-time weather conditions” – puts the local peaks on the following dates:
Banner Elk: Oct. 13-19
Beech Mountain: Oct. 8-14
Blowing Rock: Oct. 14-20
Boone: Oct. 19-25
Grandfather Mountain: Oct. 9-15
West Jefferson: Oct. 19-25
There is some uncertainty this year. N.C. State forestry experts say warmer-than-normal temperatures and uneven rainfall could delay the change or mute colors in some areas.
Recent news reports similarly point toward mid- to late October for the best widespread color in western North Carolina, although cooler nights over the next few weeks could affect the timing and intensity.
THINGS TO DO
Songwriters festival, Amphibo-Hike, Comic Con, Tweetsie Ghost Train
THURSDAY
“A Simple Path to Outdoor Creativity”, 10 a.m.-noon, at the Middle Fork Greenway in Blowing Rock. Local artist Wes Waugh leads an outdoor art session focused on simplified value sketching, with participants choosing subjects along the greenway. The event is presented by the Blowing Rock Art & History Museum.
“Antlers & Acorns: The Boone Songwriters Festival”, Thursday-Saturday at venues around downtown Boone. The festival brings songwriters into the Appalachian Theatre, Lost Province, the Horton Hotel and other downtown spots for intimate performances and storytelling. Thursday includes a 5-8 p.m. welcome reception and whiskey tasting at Lost Province and Will Willis from 6-8 p.m. on the Horton Hotel rooftop.
“Lera Lynn with Jess Klein”, 7 p.m., at the Appalachian Theatre, 559 W. King St., Boone. Singer-songwriter Lera Lynn, whose music blends indie folk, art pop and American roots, performs with Jess Klein as part of the Boone songwriters festival. Reserved tickets are $48.
FRIDAY
“Amphibo-Hike at Mount Jefferson”, noon-1 p.m., at Mount Jefferson State Natural Area near West Jefferson. Blue Ridge Conservancy hosts a guided “Amphibo-Hike” focused on searching for and learning about salamanders and other amphibians; advance registration is requested and the organization notes the start time is subject to change.
“Ghost Train”, 7:30-10:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, at Tweetsie Railroad, 300 Tweetsie Railroad Lane, Blowing Rock. This is opening weekend for Tweetsie’s Halloween season, with the Ghost Train ride, Haunted House, Freaky Forest, trick-or-treating, live entertainment and amusement rides. $65 adults, $45 children ages 3-12.
“Price Lake Full Moon Paddle”, 8-10:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, at Price Lake Boat Rentals, 3636 Blue Ridge Parkway near Blowing Rock. Rent a canoe or kayak and paddle Price Lake after dark; life jackets, paddles and headlamps are supplied. These are the final Full Moon Paddle nights of the 2026 season. Registration is required. $45-$55.
FRIDAY-SUNDAY
“Autumn at Oz”, Friday-Sunday, at Land of Oz on Beech Mountain. It’s the final weekend of the 2026 festival, which turns the mountaintop former theme park into an immersive Wizard of Oz experience with Dorothy, the Scarecrow, Tin Man and Cowardly Lion, a walk down the Yellow Brick Road and a temporary Emerald City. General admission is $70.
SATURDAY
“Boone Comic Con”, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., at Watauga Community Recreation Center, 231 Complex Drive, Boone. The one-day convention features artists and exhibitors, vendors, cosplay and a cosplay contest, food trucks and other pop-culture attractions.
“Bobcat Fest”, starting at 11 a.m., at the Lees-McRae Athletic Complex in Banner Elk. Part of Lees-McRae’s Homecoming and Family Weekend, the Saturday celebration brings alumni, students and families together for activities surrounding the college’s homecoming weekend.
“High Country Oktoberfest”, noon-10 p.m., at Appalachian Mountain Brewery, 163 Boone Creek Drive, Boone. AMB goes German for the day with its Oktoberfest Märzen, brats and veggie brats, pretzels, German potato salad, live music from Redbud and a 3 p.m. stein-holding competition. Admission is $10, with proceeds going to charity partners.
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🎵 Live music this weekend
FRIDAY
“Music on the Lawn: Soul Benefactor”, 5:30-8:30 p.m., at the Inn at Ragged Gardens, 203 Sunset Drive, Blowing Rock. Soul Benefactor closes out its 2026 appearances at the Inn with a free outdoor show drawing on classic soul, funk and rock from Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye, Otis Redding, Al Green, the Allman Brothers and others.
“John Moreland with Laurel Lewis”, 7 p.m., at the Appalachian Theatre, 559 W. King St., Boone. Acclaimed Oklahoma singer-songwriter John Moreland headlines Friday night of the High Country Songwriters Festival, with Laurel Lewis.
SATURDAY
“Music in the Vineyard: South on Something”, 1:30-5:30 p.m., at Grandfather Vineyard & Winery, 225 Vineyard Lane, Banner Elk. Gary McCullough & South on Something play Americana rock, including music by The Band, Hootie & the Blowfish and Tyler Childers, along with originals, overlooking the vineyard.
“The Mood Kings”, 3-6 p.m., at Old Barn Winery, 2152 Beaver Creek School Road, West Jefferson. The popular High Country group led by pianist Andrew Cotts performs rock, pop and classic-rock favorites at the winery.
“Creatures of the Night and Bonfire Delight”, 6:30-9:30 p.m., at Grandfather Mountain, 2050 Blowing Rock Highway, Linville. One of the weekend’s more unusual events: Grandfather Mountain stays open after dark for a bonfire, nighttime trip to the Mile High Swinging Bridge and a red-light, behind-the-scenes tour of the animal habitats to see bears, otters, elk and cougars after hours. $50 general admission; advance registration required.
“Shot Thru the Heart: A Bon Jovi Experience”, 7-11 p.m., at Saloon Studios Live, 313 Old West Road, West Jefferson. The Bon Jovi tribute act brings “Livin’ on a Prayer,” “Wanted Dead or Alive,” “You Give Love a Bad Name” and other arena-rock hits to Saloon Studios, with BRB also performing.
“James McMurtry with BettySoo”, 7 p.m., at the Appalachian Theatre, 559 W. King St., Boone. Veteran Texas singer-songwriter James McMurtry headlines the Saturday-night portion of Boone’s songwriter festival, joined by BettySoo.
SUNDAY
“The Embers featuring Craig Woolard”, 2-5 p.m., at Old Barn Winery, 2152 Beaver Creek School Road, West Jefferson. One of North Carolina’s best-known beach-music bands brings shag-friendly Carolina beach music, R&B and soul to the winery for a Sunday-afternoon show. Tickets are $25.
REAL ESTATE WATCH
$699,000: Log home near Banner Elk
(Photos: High Country MLS)
A three-bedroom log home with long-range mountain views has hit the market between Boone and Banner Elk. The furnished home at 1729 Spice Bottom Trail is listed for $699,000 and is currently used as a vacation rental.
• The basics: The 1,923-square-foot home has three bedrooms and two bathrooms and sits on a 1-acre lot. It was built in 1991.
• The features: The home has exposed timber beams, cathedral ceilings, a wood-burning fireplace and two living areas.
• Outdoor space: Multiple decks overlook the mountains and include a new hot tub, porch swing, gas grill and fire pit.
• Rental use: The home sleeps up to eight and is currently in the Blue Ridge Rentals program. It is being sold fully furnished. HOA dues are $96 a month.
LOCAL NEWS OF NOTE
Park renovation leads to crowds; Power bills rising
Neighbors note traffic near Howard Knob Park: Residents near the newly renovated Howard Knob Park say its growing popularity has brought more traffic, speeding and safety concerns to narrow neighborhood roads, prompting calls for sidewalks, lower speed limits and other traffic-calming measures. (Watauga Democrat)
Power bills to rise: Blue Ridge Energy will raise electric rates by 5% in November, adding about $7.25 to the typical monthly bill, citing higher wholesale power and equipment costs. (Watauga Online)
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