Best Fall Foliage Drives in North Georgia

North Georgia's fall color usually runs from early October at the highest elevations down through early November in the valleys, and the state's scenic byways are built specifically to show it off. These are the drives we send people on every year, ranked by how reliably good the color is and how much else there is to see along the way.

When to go: Color typically peaks first above 3,000 feet in the second week of October, then moves down the mountains through the month. Weekday mornings avoid both traffic and the worst of the leaf-peeping crowds on these routes.

Russell-Brasstown Scenic Byway

Route length: 41-mile loop   Typical peak color: Mid to late October

This 41-mile loop through the Chattahoochee National Forest is the single best fall color drive in the state, mostly because it climbs Brasstown Bald, Georgia's highest mountain at 4,784 feet, where you can see color spread across multiple counties at once from the summit observation tower. The route follows State Highways 348, 180, and 17/75, circling wildlife management areas and the headwaters of the Chattahoochee River, with the Bavarian-themed town of Helen sitting right off the byway if you want a lunch stop. Vogel and Unicoi State Parks are both nearby if you want to turn the drive into an overnight trip. Full route details are on our Russell-Brasstown Scenic Byway page.

Cohutta-Chattahoochee Scenic Byway

Route length: 54-mile route   Typical peak color: Mid October

Starting at historic Prater's Mill in Whitfield County, this 54-mile route runs past rolling pastureland before opening up to breathtaking views of the Cohutta Mountains. It skirts the town of Chatsworth and climbs State Route 52 past Fort Mountain State Park, one of the most scenic stops in North Georgia for fall color, before ending deep in the Chattahoochee National Forest. It is a longer drive than the Russell-Brasstown loop, so plan for a half day if you want to stop along the way. See our Cohutta-Chattahoochee Scenic Byway page for the full route.

Northeast Georgia Mountains Scenic Tour

Route length: Self-guided driving tour with numbered stops   Typical peak color: Mid to late October

This self-guided tour strings together small-town history and mountain views, starting at the 1859 Historic White County Courthouse in Cleveland and passing Mt. Yonah, White County's tallest peak at 3,156 feet. It is a good choice if you want a fall drive that mixes color with stops you can actually get out and walk around, rather than a highway loop. A printable map with numbered stops makes it easy to follow. Full stop-by-stop directions are on our Northeast Georgia Mountains Scenic Tour page.

Vogel State Park Loop

Route length: Short scenic loop around Lake Trahlyta   Typical peak color: Early to mid October

Vogel State Park sits at the base of Blood Mountain and is one of the most photographed fall-color spots in Georgia, with turning leaves reflected in Lake Trahlyta and the surrounding ridgeline lighting up together. It is a short, easy stop rather than a long drive, which makes it a good add-on to either the Russell-Brasstown Byway or a Blood Mountain hike on the same day. See our Vogel State Park page for current conditions.

If North Georgia's byways leave you wanting more mountain driving, the famous Blue Ridge Parkway starts just across the state line in North Carolina and Virginia. We wrote a full comparison to help you decide which trip fits your weekend: North Georgia Mountains vs. the Blue Ridge Parkway.

Fill up beforehand: Gas stations thin out once you are deep in the national forest, so top off the tank before starting any of these routes.

Check conditions: Georgia's mountain roads can get fog and sudden weather changes in fall. Give yourself daylight to spare, since these are not roads you want to navigate for the first time after dark.

Want to get out of the car and hike some of this color up close? See our guide to the best hikes in North Georgia or browse every Georgia scenic driving tour we cover.