Fall Color Report — Friday, November 14th, 2025

This is our last fall color report for 2025. Thank you for following along! We had a beautiful fall season here in the Gorge, and we were so excited to have the opportunity to show off the leaves after last year’s closure. As we near mid-November the forest is slowing down, pops of color are still visible along the trails at lower elevations, but with high winds lately most trees have shed their leaves. From the Chimney you will still be able to spot the last lingering color provided by Oaks, Hickories, and Fraser Magnolias. 

We are looking forward to winter here in the park, and even got a taste this week when temperatures plummeted and Hickory Nut Falls had its first freeze. 

Join us for a guided hike!

Watch the park transform week-by-week while you hike one of our six unique trails with a naturalist guide every Monday morning in November. Fall color lingers at the beginning of November, and as we approach Thanksgiving the forest prepares for winter. For more information, click here.

We hope to see you on the trails soon!

Fall Color Report — Friday, November 7th, 2025

Peak week is here at Chimney Rock State Park and we are thrilled to showcase these incredible fall colors. Currently, the most stunning views this week are in the Meadows and looking out from the Chimney, Opera Box, or Exclamation Point. These lookouts offer sweeping views of the Gorge that are rich with yellows and reds from the Hickories and Oaks. These trees are the stars of the show right now as they are the last trees in our forest to change. Gorgeous reds from the maples are still visible as well. We expect this to be the last of our significant color for the season, as many trees may be losing leaves by this time next week. Come enjoy the beauty of the leaves while it lasts!

In addition, we’re proud to offer complimentary admission to veterans and active-duty military from Saturday, November 8th through Tuesday, November 11th. We look forward to welcoming you for a well-deserved day in the great outdoors.

Join us for a guided hike!

Watch the park transform week-by-week while you hike one of our six unique trails with a naturalist guide every Monday morning in November. Fall color lingers at the beginning of November, and as we approach Thanksgiving the forest prepares for winter. For more information, click here.

Fall Color Report — Tuesday, October 28th, 2025

A lot can change in a week! While we are still about a week out from peak color, the Gorge has been blanketed by the beautiful fall hues. From the Chimney you’ll be able to see some of the best sweeping views of the Gorge, complimented by hints of yellow, orange, and red. The park is known for its mixed hardwood forest, and while our “late-bloomers” such as the Oaks, remain green, the majority of our deciduous trees have brilliantly transformed. Today at the park you will find signs of fall wherever you look. Whether you walk through the leaves blanketing the trails, or enjoy a warm cup of coffee on the Sky Bridge, you will have lots of opportunities to enjoy the season here at Chimney Rock. We are looking forward to sharing these beautiful fall views with you soon, reserve your spot today. 

A friendly reminder that our photo contest: “Capture the Colors of Fall” is going on now through Nov. 15th. Send us your best shots of the season for a chance to win!

Join us for a guided hike!

Watch the park transform week-by-week while you hike one of our six unique trails with a naturalist guide every Monday morning in November. Fall color lingers at the beginning of November, and as we approach Thanksgiving the forest prepares for winter. For more information, click here. We also have our Fall Ridge Hike happening November 8th. Step off the beaten path and join one of our favorite hikes of the year led by a local naturalist. This special trek explores areas of the park normally closed to the public, offering rare views and rich insights into the landscape. For more information and to register, click here.

Fall Color Report — Wednesday, October 22nd, 2025

Thanks to the cooler evenings we have been experiencing lately, fall hues have been coming in quickly here in the Gorge! While we are still a few weeks away from peak color we are continuing to see dogwoods, sourwoods, maples, and hickories making their change. Joining them this week are the Fraser Magnolias whose leaves turn a unique brown.

As you drive from the Ticket Plaza to the Chimney you’ll be able to look up and see gorgeous colors. From the Chimney looking down over the Gorge, which is mainly still green, you will see vibrant pops of red provided by the Maples. You will also get to see Virginia Creeper along the Outcroppings and Hickory Nut Falls Trails which are turning their signature purple.

Don’t forget to look down and see the last blooms of fall wildflowers. The Rigid Whitetop Aster is most prominent which means the end of warmer temperatures will be arriving soon. 

We hope you have a fantastic week filled with beautiful fall views, and that we’ll see you in the park soon!

Join us for a guided fall hike!

Want a chance learn more about fall color here in the park? Join a naturalist-led Fall Color Hike this Saturday, October 25 from 9am to noon. Together, you’ll explore stunning fall views throughout the park and learn about the natural processes behind our annual autumn displays. To learn more and register, click here.

Fall Color Report — Tuesday, October 14th, 2025

We have been seeing quite the change in our leaves this week! While we are a few weeks away from peak color, you can still see gorgeous hues popping up all over the Gorge. While the oaks remain green, you can view the bright reds of the maples, and the yellows of the tulip poplars. These hues are present at the highest elevations, and you’ll see these on the drive up the mountain and along the ridge lines. Birding enthusiasts, bring your binoculars to watch as hawks continue to migrate through our area.

For those wanting an up close look, colors can be seen the best as you hike along the Skyline Trail, it is the perfect trail for adventure seekers and leaf peepers alike. This 2.2 mile round trip hike starts at Exclamation Point, where you can catch your breath and enjoy an awe inspiring view of the entire Gorge before setting off. In addition, this week kicks off our “Nature’s Colors” photo contest which runs October 15th-November 15th. We would love to see the park from your point of view. You can find more information on our Events page. Plan your trip to the park today reserve your spot today!

Of course, a picture is worth a thousand words, so enjoy the first images of fall color from our park. We hope to see you soon!

Fall Color Report — Tuesday, October 7th, 2025

The beauty of the mountains, complimented by the fall leaves in vibrant hues, in addition to the cooler temperatures make this season a splendid time to visit the park. With the change of leaves each fall season we are reminded that fall is proof that transformation is beautiful. Our area has experienced historic change throughout this past year, but one thing that remains is the beauty and solitude of a fall day. 

As beautiful as the change is visually, knowing that these leaves are a vital part of the ecosystem, and that this process keeps our trees alive is just as important! As the fall season changes, temperatures drop and the days grow shorter. Trees, as a result, receive less direct sunlight which causes the chlorophyll that keeps them green to break down. This lack of chlorophyll reveals yellow and orange pigments that are otherwise masked during our warmer months. Hickory Nut Gorge and Chimney Rock State Park are known for our mixed hardwood (deciduous) forests. The change in color of their broad leaves create a sort of splendor completely unique to our region. 

Our leaves at the tallest elevations; including maples, sourwoods, dogwoods, and tulip poplars are beginning to slowly make this change. During this time we also see the last outcroppings of fall wildflowers. Don’t forget to look down as you hike our six beautiful trails to witness their glory: Asters, Jewelweed, and Goldenrods provide brilliant pops of color. And don’t forget to look for migrating animals during your time at the park as well. A variety of hawks make the park a stop along their journey, as well as a number of monarch butterflies heading to Mexico where they will enjoy warmer temperatures. 

We look forward to sharing the park with each and every one of you this fall season. Continue to check this page for updates regarding fall color in the park, and plan your visit today while it lasts! We hope to see you soon!