Photo: Thomson200, public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Fall is North Georgia’s big season: mountain color, apple orchards and festivals that fill the calendar from September on. Here is how to plan the season, with links to the full guide for each stop.
- Peak colorMid-October up high, late October-early November below
- ApplesLate August through October
- OktoberfestHelen, mid-September to November 1
- TipGo on weekdays; book October lodging early
Fall Color & Scenic Drives
North Georgia’s color usually runs from early October at the highest elevations through early November in the valleys. It typically peaks first above 3,000 feet in the second week of October, then moves down the mountains through the month. Weekday mornings avoid the worst of the crowds.
Best Fall Foliage Drives
Our ranked list of routes. The top pick is the 41-mile Russell-Brasstown Scenic Byway, with a side trip up the GA 180 Spur to Brasstown Bald, Georgia’s highest mountain at 4,784 feet.
Cohutta-Chattahoochee Byway
A 54-mile loop in northwest Georgia that passes Fort Mountain State Park.
NE Georgia Mountains Scenic Tour
Color mixed with small-town stops across the northeast mountains.
Apple Orchards
The mountains around Ellijay and Blue Ridge are the heart of Georgia’s apple country. Apple season generally runs from late August through October, with the widest selection of varieties in September and early October. Our Best Apple Orchards in North Georgia covers the favorites, including Mercier Orchards near Blue Ridge and Hillcrest Orchards near Ellijay, which adds pig races and cow milking demonstrations for families with young kids.
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Festivals & Events
Mountain Moonshine Festival
October 23 to 25, 2026, in downtown Dawsonville, with a car show, moonshine still exhibit, parade and live music. Admission is free; parking is by donation.
Helen Oktoberfest
Runs from mid-September to November 1 and is billed as the longest-running Oktoberfest in the country.
More Fall Events
The Coastal Georgia Botanical Gardens near Savannah hold a Fall Family Festival each October. The Cumming Greek Festival, normally held in October, has been postponed until October 2027. Families should see our corn mazes and pumpkin patches guide, and our Halloween in Georgia guide covers haunted houses, pumpkin festivals and trick-or-treating.
Fall Hikes & Camping
Cooler weather makes fall a good time for the big hikes. See our Best Hikes in North Georgia and Best Georgia State Parks for Camping. Vogel and Unicoi State Parks are both close to the Russell-Brasstown byway if you want to turn a drive into an overnight trip.
Planning notes: Leaf color depends on the weather, so it varies from year to year. Watch the forecast, go on weekdays if you can, and book lodging early for October weekends. Hurricane season runs through November on the coast.
Common Questions
When is the best time to see fall color in North Georgia?
Color usually runs from early October at the highest elevations through early November in the valleys, and it typically peaks first above 3,000 feet in the second week of October. Timing varies with the weather each year.
When is apple season in North Georgia?
Apple season generally runs from late August through October, with the widest selection of varieties in September and early October.