Each autumn, more than a million people will drive the Blue Ridge Parkway. The most vivid, long-lasting colors are found where dozen or more kinds of trees may change color at slightly different times over the fall season. This display can be found in many settings along your drive. If you know your trees, this may help you determine when you wish to travel the Parkway. The first wave of color comes from the dogwoods, maples, hickories, and poplars.
Oaks usually change later, after the first frost.
Against a backdrop of evergreens, such as cedar, hemlock, mountain laurel, pine, and rhododendron, the brilliant colors shine from September through late October. Leaves turn an assortment of shades of reds, yellows, and oranges. Red autumn leaves are seen on dogwoods, many oaks and some sumacs. Yellows are provided by many trees including beech, birch, ash and aspen. Some trees display more golden or orange leaves in the autumn.