North Carolina Fall Foliage and Waterfall Tour

NOTE: Much of the information included on this page has been excerpted and adapted from the August 27, 2025, North Carolina Fall Foliage Tour document. When the final version of that document is released, this page will be updated as required to be consistent with it.

Overview

In late October 2025, the Plano Photography Club will travel east to the Blue Ridge Parkway for a fall foliage and waterfall tour, using Asheville, North Carolina, as the base of operations.

Asheville is in the Blue Ridge Mountains, among the oldest mountain ranges in the world and the oldest in the Western Hemisphere. It also has the highest mountain peak in the Eastern US. In the immediate area, mountain ranges include the Black, the Plott Blasams, the Southern Appalachians, and last but certainly not least, the Great Smoky Mountains. There are seven (7) national and state parks close to Asheville. This will be your photo backdrop.

We have planned this trip around fall foliage, unbelievable vistas, waterfalls, and hopefully, on the last day, elk. We will be working in an area between 2,000 and 6,000 feet above sea level. Somewhere in that range will allow you to catch the trees perfectly in their most brilliant colors. Couple the fall color with waterfalls, and it gets even better. Ever seen the Smoky Mountains at sunrise or sunset – wow.

The materials below were presented to the club during an online meeting on Wednesday, August 27, 2025. This information is also accessible from the PPC Training Class Material page.

DOWNLOAD THE LATEST VERSION OF THE NORTH CAROLINA FALL FOLIAGE TOUR DOCUMENT

Communications

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Headquarters

The Log Cabin Motor Court in Asheville, North Carolina

Our headquarters for this event is The Log Cabin Motor Court in Asheville, NC. These are individual rustic cabins built in 1917 with wood-burning fireplaces and kitchens if you desire.

Due to the popularity of that area - particularly at that time of year - we strongly encourage you to book your stay now, but please follow the instructions below.

Trip Dates: October 20-24, 2025

Our Headquarters: The Log Cabin Motor Court (330 Weaverville Highway, Asheville, NC 28804)
Phone Number: 828-645-6546
Proprietor: Susie

Reservation Process: DO NOT make your reservation(s) via the lodge website. Call Susie at the Log Cabin Motor Court; leave a message, and she will return your call.

By doing it this way, you will receive a discount not available via the website. You may wish to send her an email at logcabincourt@gmail.com.

Thanks to all who helped plan this location. Remember: call Susie and secure your room ASAP.

Traveling to North Carolina

Route A: Starting from Plano, this route uses Interstate 30 to Interstate 40 (~950 miles). We don't recommend this route due to heavy truck traffic on I-40 and the fact that there is little to see.

Route B: An alternative route is Interstate 20 through Atlanta, then Interstate 85 (~1,003 miles) to Asheville. A variation of this route is the small cities along the way. This is the route that Cliff McKenzie is likely to take.

Route C: A third route is Interstate 20 to Birmingham, Alabama, and then Interstate 59 to Chattanooga, Tennessee (~1009 miles). You can cross over the mountains via “The Tail of the Dragon.” In a past trip, Cliff McKenzie took this route and was well-rewarded. On the return, he may actually take Interstate 40, leaving it for Kentucky, going toward Arkansas for additional fall images, and then finally dropping down to Beavers Bend in Oklahoma before returning to Texas.

Route D: Check out flights from DFW to Asheville, NC (AVL); at the time of this writing, fares are as little as $209 round-trip (Delta non-stop for $481 round-trip). They will, of course, fluctuate. You can find even cheaper fares by going through Charlotte (CLT). Concerned about transporting your camera equipment? Not a problem; purchase a PELICAN camera case and ask someone who is driving to bring it with them.

Special Gatherings

We have two special gatherings planned to take place during our event.

On Monday night, after everyone arrives, we will meet for dinner and drinks at The Village Porch (menu), located at 51 N. Merrimon Avenue, Suite 113, Woodfin, NC 28804.
Lunch on Wednesday will be hosted by Jan de Muelder at Gordingo's (menu), located at 451 Ecusta Road, Brevard, NC, 28712.

In addition, a goodbye breakfast is planned for Friday at 9 AM ET at All Day Darling, 102 Montford Avenue, Asheville, NC 28801.

Hanging around HQ at night with a beer or a wine glass is expected.

Other references for places to meet up or eat are provided for your convenience in the North Carolina Fall Foliage Tour document.

Where Do I Go?

The answer is simple. Wherever and whenever you want to go is totally up to you.

The North Carolina Fall Foliage Tour document discusses possibilities based on carefully chosen locations and times. Please review that resource to see all of the day-by-day possibilities. Trust us - no one will make them all as outlined.

Do you have a non-photographer with you? The Biltmore Estate and the Asheville River Arts District are worth the time investment. Of course, there are many other things to do in Asheville.

Enjoy … you have earned it.

Recommended Equipment

Lights – For early morning shoots or when returning from sunsets, make sure to have portable lighting to get around safely. May I suggest a rechargeable headlamp (e.g., the Victoper Rechargeable Headlamp)?
Walking Stick – A great tool is a collapsible titanium-tipped walking stick with a holster. I just received it and it is very lightweight. This is good and bad. I already have a very strong staff for fly fishing, and therefore would suggest you consider a heavier stick - but you need something.
Clothing – We will be working between Asheville, which is located at an elevation of just over 2,100 feet above sea level, and 6,000 feet above sea level. Asheville has average highs in October of 66.9°F and average lows of 46.8°F. Temperature generally decreases with altitude at a rate of about 3.5°F (2°C) per 1,000 feet, though this varies depending on humidity and other factors.
Consider bringing HotHands Hand Warmers and be prepared to add layers as needed. The end of October is usually dry, as September and early October have the most precipitation. Also, don’t forget your hiking boots; this is not the time to twist an ankle.
Fold Up Portable Chair – Why do you need a chair? Have you ever waited for a sunset standing by your tripod? May I suggest Academy? They have an unbelievable assortment of chairs.
Camera Rain Cover – The cost for a camera rain cover is generally less than $20. The cost of a plastic trash bag: less than $0.01.
Camera Backpack that can carry a tripod – If you have a walking stick, camera, lenses, and a tripod, something has to give. Here is an idea…you might be able to use a “hunting” vest.
Camera Lens(es) – The best lens is simply the one you have on hand and like. Most people instinctively choose a wide-angle, and yes, I will have a 14-24 and 20mm prime ready. For elk shoots, I will use a long-telephoto lens (200-500mm); although I have teleconverters, I rarely use them. My everyday lens for this type of shoot is the 24-70mm. In review of past shoots, this lens gets about 90% of the action. Also, when traveling through the small towns, I like a 24-120.
Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) Equipment – You know the basics. A tripod is a must, and a monopod might be a nice extra touch. Backup camera batteries, memory cards ... the list is almost endless. Do you have an emergency key for your car? Here is another one: Do you have an emergency memory card with your camera settings? You know the memory card that came with your camera, which is so small in size that you wondered why they included it? Send me a request, and I will send you my Master Travel Checklist. You can modify it to meet your personal needs.
Camera Equipment – in addition to SOP equipment, consider ND (neutral density) and polarizing filters. If you have not made this investment, here is an idea. Buy the best variable ND filter and also a polarizer. The size should be the size of the lens cap of the largest lens you will use. You then buy “step-down rings” for each lens you might also use. Step-down rings cost almost nothing.
Flickr – Can a website be considered "equipment?" Many of us use Flickr to post our images and research specifics for an upcoming shoot. Here is how to use this tool to make this the best photography trip ever. Use the Flickr search tool and type in one of the areas we have mentioned above (e.g., “Great Smoky Mountains” or "Blue Ridge Mountains"). Find an image you like and select it. Now, scroll down and you will most likely see the camera, lens, aperture, lens length, speed, and ISO settings that were used.
Maps and Research – There are a lot of free maps out there, but consider ordering National Geographic's Great Smoky Mountains National Park and Blue Ridge Parkway maps. Personally, I also have several books on the region on my portable computer via Kindle.
Backup – You will have a large number of images. Ensure you have a method to back up your work on a nightly basis.
Snacks, especially breakfast food – Most restaurants in the area do not open before 7 AM. Factoring in travel time, it may be several hours before you see an open restaurant.
Above all, a printout of the final copy of the North Carolina Fall Foliage Tour document – You cannot always rely on the internet, cellular, or GPS availability.

Supplemental Information Resources

Need More Information?

If you have any questions about this event, please contact Club President Parvin Stiles.

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