Best Things to Do in Georgia in Fall

Fall is North Georgia’s big season: mountain color, apple orchards, and festivals that fill the calendar from October on. Here is how to plan the season, with links to the full guide or page for each stop.

North Georgia’s fall color usually runs from early October at the highest elevations down through early November in the valleys. Color typically peaks first above 3,000 feet in the second week of October, then moves down the mountains through the month, and weekday mornings avoid the worst of the crowds. Our Best Fall Foliage Drives in North Georgia ranks the routes.

The top pick is the 41-mile Russell-Brasstown Scenic Byway, which climbs Brasstown Bald, Georgia’s highest mountain at 4,784 feet. The 54-mile Cohutta-Chattahoochee Scenic Byway passes Fort Mountain State Park, and the Northeast Georgia Mountains Scenic Tour mixes color with small-town stops.

The mountains around Ellijay and Blue Ridge are the heart of the state’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.

The Mountain Moonshine Festival in downtown Dawsonville runs October 23 to 25, 2026, with a car show, moonshine still exhibit, parade, and live music. Admission is free, and parking is by donation. 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. For more, see our Festivals & Events page and the regional calendars linked from it.

Cooler weather makes fall a good time for the big hikes. See our Best Hikes in North Georgia and our 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.

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. For more seasons, see our spring guide, summer guide, and winter guide.

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.