Fall is prime time for weekend adventures traipsing through the mountains. Check out these 7 amazing spots in North Georgia to see fall foliage at its peak.
Every fall, my kids ask, “When will the leaves change colors, Mom?” And to tell you the truth, I’m dying to know just as much as they are. Fall is my favorite season—and not just because I get to sport my boots and sweaters while tasting all types of seasonal squashes.
Fall is the time of year when temperatures are cooling and the earth’s natural colors are warming. It’s the season where we cozy up in flannel and get ready for the big picture show right outside our windows. Colorful fall foliage covers more than half the spectrum of the rainbow in spectacularly vibrant hues.
When Does Fall Foliage Peak in North Georgia?
Peak leaf season is all a guessing game that depends on the patterns of Mother Nature each year, but most forecasters agree with late October to early November. Of course, in the extreme northern region of the state where temperatures drop earlier in the season, you could witness changing leaves in mid-October.
If you’re wondering when fall foliage will peak in your area, follow along with Georgia State Parks’ Leaf Watch planner. Regular updates begin in October to keep leaf lovers posted on how the fall foliage color is progressing across Georgia’s Blue Ridge Mountains. You’ll even see colorful images crowdsourced from Facebook and Instagram with favorite fall shots throughout the state.
7 Best Spots to See Fall Foliage in North Georgia
As a hiking family, fall is prime time for weekend adventures traipsing through the North Georgia Mountains. So when mid-October hits, every hike we take is specifically planned to offer a great vantage point of fall foliage. Here are our favorite spots in North Georgia to witness fall foliage at its peak.
Brasstown Bald
- Georgia 180 Spur, Hiawassee, GA
- 2 hours from Atlanta
- $8 per person for ages 16+, includes entrance and shuttle
Brasstown Bald is Georgia’s highest mountain at 4,784 feet above sea level. From the top, enjoy the cloud-level observation deck with stunning 360-degree views of the Southern Appalachian Mountains and valleys. On a clear day in the fall, you can see four states and get a spectacular view of the changing colors of the leaves.
Blackrock Mountain State Park
- 3085 Black Rock Mountain Parkway, Mountain City, GA
- 2 hours 10 minutes from Atlanta
- $5 parking fee
As Georgia’s highest state park with an altitude of 3,640 feet, Black Rock Mountain State Park boasts some of the state’s most outstanding scenery of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Roadside overlooks give way to 80-mile vistas, which are speckled with red, orange and yellow leaves at the peak of fall foliage season.
Amicalola Falls State Park
- 418 Amicalola Falls State Park Road, Dawsonville, GA
- 1 hour 20 minutes from Atlanta
- $5 parking fee
An easy drive north of Atlanta up State Route 400, you’ll find the Southeast’s tallest cascading waterfall, measuring 720 feet, at Amicalola Falls State Park. In autumn, the falls are surrounded by picturesque fall foliage and you’ll find it worth your time to climb the 604 steps to the overlook.
Vogel State Park
- 405 Vogel State Park Road, Blairsville, GA
- 1 hour 50 minutes from Atlanta
- $5 parking fee
You’ll see the changing color of the fall leaves at Vogel State Park reflected in Lake Trahlyta’s waters. Hike the 1-mile lake loop to see a small waterfall below the dam. Adventurous hikers can tackle the 4-mile Bear Hair Gap Trail, which offers a bird’s eye view of Lake Trahlyta below.
Cloudland Canyon State Park
- 122 Cloudland Canyon Park Road, Rising Fawn, GA
- 2 hours 10 minutes from Atlanta
- $5 parking fee
As one of Georgia’s most scenic parks, Cloudland Canyon State Park offers easily accessible overlooks that give way to a beautiful palette in autumn. Hike down 600 steps into the canyon to get a view of two waterfalls as well as fall foliage from a different angle. If you’re up for a longer hike, try the moderate 5-mile West Rim Loop, which also offers great views of the canyon.
Red Top Mountain State Park
- 50 Lodge Road SE, Acworth, GA
- 50 minutes from Atlanta
- $5 parking fee
Northwest of Atlanta, Red Top Mountain State Park is situated on Lake Allatoona and offers seasonal views of fall foliage hugging the lake banks. The 4-mile Iron Hill Trail is popular with hiking families and mountain bikers, as it winds around the lakeshore and through the forest.
Tallulah Gorge State Park
- 338 Jane Hurt Yarn Road, Tallulah Falls, GA
- 1 hour 45 minutes from Atlanta
- $5 parking fee
Tallulah Gorge is one of the most spectacular canyons in the Southeast, measuring 2 miles long and 1,000 feet deep. From one of the many lookout spots, you can witness the powerful river along a colorful backdrop of fall foliage in autumn. Take the 2.2 mile Hurricane Loop Trail to hit several lookout points, traverse a suspension bridge and hike up and down more than 1,000 steps to soak in all the best angles of the gorge.
While you’re enjoying the autumn season, be sure to check out our Atlanta Fall Guides to the best places for apple picking, pumpkin patches and corn mazes, and fairs and festivals.
So, tell us, where is your favorite spot to see fall foliage in North Georgia?
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