Peep the leaves at home: Here’s where you can enjoy fall foliage colors in Charlotte

Mae Lackey

October 24, 2024 at 6:30 a.m.·6 min read

Leaves in Shamrock Park show their Fall colors on Tuesday, October, 25, 2022.

Ribbonwalk Nature Preserve is a 188-acre urban forest with two ponds, a wetland bog and Irwin Creek crossings. Shown here is the Hoyt Hinson Trail.

Beautiful bridges are scattered throughout Campbell Creek Greenway. This one connects pedestrians to McAlpine Creek Greenway.

McDowell Nature Preserve is just a half an hour from Charlotte City Center.

As the final week of October approaches, so does the peak of fall leaf colors in Charlotte.

Peak leaf colors correlate with elevation, so many places in North Carolina have already reached their peak as temperatures cooled earlier. Charlotte has a lower elevation, so we’re just now reaching prime time for leaf peeping. Leaves transform with gorgeous warm hues of red, orange and yellow, creating an array of colorful foliage that is truly a sight to behold.

Although Western North Carolina is an especially popular destination for leaf peeping, Hurricane Helene’s devastation of the area has greatly affected some towns’ ability to host visitors. While some spots are encouraging tourism, others are still reeling from the storm’s damage. Several popular attractions like parts of the Blue Ridge Parkway and the Pisgah National Forest remain closed, although a small section of the Parkway reopened Wednesday morning.

As a result, those seeking colorful fall leaves might consider staying closer to home, exploring leaf-peeping spots in and around Charlotte instead of venturing to the mountains.Fortunately, there are plenty of spots in and around Charlotte where you can enjoy the vibrant colors of fall without traveling far. Local parks, gardens, nature preserves and nearby trails offer beautiful views of the changing leaves, all within a short drive. Whether you’re looking for a weekend trip or just an afternoon stroll, Charlotte’s leaf-peeping destinations provide a true autumn experience, right at home. Here are a few places to check out this season.

Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden

Location: 6500 S New Hope Rd, Belmont, NC 28012

Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden, located in Belmont, is a wonderful option for a day trip destination for leaf peepers. Just 21 miles from Charlotte, this location boasts 30 acres of gardens including a children’s garden, a conservatory that displays tropical plants and orchids, a Dry Piedmont Prairie, sparkling fountains, walking trails and more.

Among those 30 acres, there are plenty of opportunities to see some beautiful, colorful fall foliage. This fall, the garden is also showcasing Scarecrow Hollow, a collection of scarecrows crafted by the local community. Admission is $16.95 for adults, $14.95 for seniors, $9.95 for children and free for children under 2.

Mallard Creek Greenway

Location: 201 E Mallard Creek Church Road, Charlotte, NC 28262

Located in northeast Charlotte, the Mallard Creek Greenway is a moderate 8.6-mile there-and-back trail that travels through burned conifer woods to Mallard Lake. The greenway runs through several local neighborhoods and is a great spot for an afternoon stroll. This scenic trail is lined with plenty of lush foliage, so there should be no shortage of chances to see some vibrant fall leaf colors.

McAlpine Creek and Campbell Creek Greenway

Location: 8711 Monroe Rd, Charlotte, NC 28212

The McAlpine Creek Greenway and the Campbell Creek Greenway connect at McAlpine Creek Park, located in southwest Charlotte. The greenway is 6.2 miles long one-way and is mostly unpaved with a few paved segments. Plenty of community and pedestrian access points make this another great place to see this fall’s array of leaf colors for those who live in the surrounding neighborhoods.The greenway is almost entirely lined with trees on both sides.

McDowell Nature Preserve

Location: 15222 York Rd, Charlotte, NC 28278

McDowell Nature Preserve, located in Southwest Mecklenburg County, protects over 1,130 acres of land along the banks of Lake Wylie. With lush forests and views of the lake, the preserve is certainly a scenic destination and a great spot for seeing some bright leaf colors.

The preserve boasts 56 camping sites and a combined 8 miles of trails, cementing itself as an in-town getaway for fans of the great outdoors. The McDowell Nature Center serves as the gateway to the preserve, and it showcases informational displays that highlight the surrounding flora and fauna.

Ribbonwalk Nature Preserve

Location: 4601 Nevin Rd, Charlotte, NC 28269

Ribbonwalk Nature Preserve is a leaf-peeping gem in North Charlotte, just minutes from uptown Charlotte. The preserve’s abundant woodlands have plenty of leaves for a grand display of this fall’s foliage colors, and its 3 miles of trails showcase the surrounding forests, fields, ponds and more.

Uwharrie National Forest

Location: Troy, NC 27371

Covering over 50,000 acres in parts of Montgomery, Davidson and Randolph counties in North Carolina, the Uwharrie National Forest is no joke when it comes to showcasing the state’s vibrant fall foliage. Around 60 miles from Charlotte, Uwharrie is a good option for a weekend trip away from the city. The forest touts areas for cycling, hiking, fishing, camping and a variety of other outdoor activities in addition to scenic views.

UNC Charlotte Botanical Gardens

Location: 9090 Craver Rd, Charlotte, NC 28262

Located on the University of North Carolina at Charlotte campus, the UNC Charlotte Botanical Gardens showcase some of the best foliage, fall and otherwise, the city has to offer. The gardens host three garden sites with 16 collections, and the outdoor Van Landingham Glen and Harwood Garden are both known to showcase a wonderful kaleidoscope of autumn colors.

For those who prefer to enjoy nature in an indoor setting, the gardens’ McMillan Greenhouse showcases an array of flora from across the globe, right at home in Charlotte.

Spots to visit later on

Crowders Mountain State Park

Location: 522 Park Office Ln, Kings Mountain, NC 28086

Crowders Mountain State Park is a 5,300 acre state park located near Kings Mountain and on the outskirts of Gastonia. Just 32 miles west from Charlotte, this is a great option for those looking for a leaf-peeping destination that feels just far enough to constitute a getaway. The park includes the peaks of Crowders Mountain and The Pinnacle, which provide plenty of opportunities to catch some scenic views.

Crowders Mountain State Park will be closed until at least Oct. 31 as the NC Division of Parks and Recreation focuses on assisting with statewide emergency efforts in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene.

Lake Norman State Park

Location: 759 State Park Rd, Troutman, NC 28166

Lake Norman State Park, located in Troutman, is 40 miles north from Charlotte. A great option for those who would like to enjoy the wonderful Lake Norman as well as the kaleidoscope of leaf colors, the park offers a multitude of outdoor activities. With nearly 31 miles of mountain biking trail and 38 miles of hiking trail, you can choose for your leaf-peeping endeavor to be a weekend getaway, or just an afternoon stroll.

Lake Norman State Park will be closed until at least Oct. 31 as the NC Division of Parks and Recreation focuses on assisting with statewide recovery efforts in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene.

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Peep the leaves at home: Here’s where you can enjoy fall foliage colors in Charlotte