Mount Pisgah in North Carolina: A Spectacular Fall Viewing Spot

My children have never had the pleasure of viewing the fall colors. We have lived in Florida since my oldest, who is 23, was born. Who can travel to North Carolina during fall season when you teach school? However, this fall we plan to venture to Western North Carolina to view the fall colors from what is probably one of the best viewing sites. That site is Mount Pisgah, about an hours drive from Asheville, North Carolina. This information does not come from a traveler, but a native of Asheville, North Carolina. Growing up, I spent many a weekend on the parkways, either visiting Mount Mitchell, Mount Pisgah, Grandfather Mountain or one of the many other wonderful scenic views in the Great Smokey Mountains. There are several reasons why I would recommend Mount Pisgah as an ideal viewing site for your fall-color viewing.

Mount Pisgah is easilly accesible via the Ashevill area through several entrances to the parkway. Probably the best way to enter the parkway, is to drive west on Interstate 40, and about 40 miles outside of Asheville, right before getting to Cherokee, you will find the entrance to the Blue Ridge Parkway. One direction leads to Mount Mitchell, and the other leads to Mount Pisgah. Mount Pisgah is a closer drive than Mount Mitchell, as it is at a lower elevation.

On the way to Mount Pisgah, you will find many overlooks where you can park and take pictures of the view. There are also many wonderful tunnels through the mountains that will excite and interest children. On the North Carolina side of the parkway, there are a total of 27 tunnels. I can guarentee the children will not be bored, as it is not rare to view wild pigs, racoons, or deer on the drive. I have friends who have often times seen a bear, or even entertained one while camping, but I myself have never encountered a bear on one of my adventures. It is very rare to not see a deer though.