chris41

thinking of visiting in oct 2016 from uk..good time?,,things open

abram

It can be beautiful at that time of year, but have a plan B, as we found it closed when we tried to visit then a few years ago.

Gretchen

Height of the season for leaf color. Reservations in hotels very tight on weekends and required.

Dukey1

Exactly when in October is going to drive the color as is the dryness of that season.

PaulRabe

The colors this year may be a bit muted as it has been a very dry and hot summer. It will probably NOT be as good as some of the photos you've seen over the years.

Simply driving on the Blue Ridge Parkway gives you beautiful views;
http://www.flickr.com/photos/pr77x/2...posted-public/
so I wouldn't worry about what's open.

You may (or may not) see wildlife while driving on this road
http://www.flickr.com/photos/pr77x/2...posted-public/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/pr77x/2...posted-public/
but (again) it won't matter is something is open or not.

If you're still worried about opening & closing dates
https://www.nps.gov/blri/planyourvisit/hours.htm

Birdie

I think it's too early to guess on the quality of leaf color. Some years have surprised me with a late and gorgeous explosion of color when we thought it was going to be a drab year.

There is a bit of science involved but it's still very hard to predict.

http://forestry.about.com/od/fallcol...fall_displ.htm

I will caution you to avoid driving the parkway on weekends if you can. Traffic can and will get backed up and popular parking areas may be filled.

Gretchen

Yes, too early but people point toward that time wheter or not the color is peaking. It WILL be crowded and weekend reservations will be a must. Count on it.

cmcfong

And please comsider adding the gorgeous portion of the Blue Ridge Parkway which runs through North Carolina. Stop for a while in Mt Airy, NC, take a hike at Moses Cone State Park and visit Asheville!

Wineries, views, and great people are guaranteed. Be sure and reserve hotel rooms, irrespective of color peaks it is a busy time.

chris41

many thanks to all who offered information,wonderful that people take the time to volunteer their experiences..thanks again..will make the trip..chris

cmcfong

A little incentive for my reco
https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifes...mepage%2Fstory

Gardyloo

Topping this as I'm on the east coast briefly and took today to drive the length of Skyline Drive through Shenandoah National Park in Virginia. Note Skyline Drive becomes the Blue Ridge Parkway south of Interstate 64.

Autumn color hasn't peaked yet (in fact today set a record high temperature) but it's still a lovely drive.

Map - https://goo.gl/maps/BGHKy6Pb9TQ2

http://gardyloo.us/Skyline%20041a.JPG

http://gardyloo.us/Skyline%20020a.JPG

http://gardyloo.us/Skyline%20035a.JPG

http://gardyloo.us/Skyline%20039a.JPG