Best time to visit · Asheville · United States
The best time to visit Asheville
Weather, crowds, prices and events for every month, so you can pick the trip that suits you.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Pictured: North Carolina Arboretum, Asheville · Photo: Ken Thomas, Public domain
Quick answer
The best times to visit Asheville are May to June and September to October, when days are about 20–27°C, the mountains are green or turning, and the parkway is at its best. October is the most beautiful and the busiest; book early. Winter is cold and quiet but festive at Biltmore, and spring brings blooms and wildflowers.
Key facts
- Best months
- May–June and September–October
- Shoulder season
- April, July–August and November
- Warmest month
- July (avg high 29°C (84°F))
- Coldest month
- January (avg high 9°C (48°F))
- Rainiest month
- July (~13 rainy days)
- Lowest hotel prices
- January–February
Plan a trip to Asheville
Compare flights, places to stay and rental cars, then book with the provider you choose.
Seasons
Asheville has a mild mountain climate: warm but not usually hot summers with afternoon thunderstorms, cool winters with occasional snow, and pleasant springs and autumns. Higher elevations along the parkway are noticeably cooler and can be foggy.
March–May
Spring
Blooms at Biltmore, wildflowers on the trails and ramps on menus, with changeable weather and occasional late frosts.
June–August
Summer
Warm, not usually hot, days with afternoon thunderstorms, rhododendrons on the parkway and free mountain music.
September–November
Autumn
Apple season, crisp days and spectacular leaf colour in October, with the year's largest crowds and highest prices.
December–February
Winter
Cold with occasional snow, parkway closures at elevation, Christmas at Biltmore and low prices outside the holidays.
Seeing more of United States? The best time to visit United States compares the best months of our 44 destinations there.
Month by month
Long-term averages (rounded). Crowds and prices are relative, 1 (lowest) to 5 (highest). Daylight is sunrise to sunset on the 15th.
| Month | High | Low | Rainy days | Daylight | Crowds | Prices |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 9°C 48°F | -3°C 27°F | 11 | 10 h | 1/5 | 1/5 |
| February | 11°C 52°F | -2°C 28°F | 10 | 10.8 h | 1/5 | 1/5 |
| March | 16°C 61°F | 2°C 36°F | 11 | 11.9 h | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| April | 20°C 68°F | 6°C 43°F | 10 | 13 h | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| May | 24°C 75°F | 11°C 52°F | 12 | 14 h | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| June | 27°C 81°F | 15°C 59°F | 12 | 14.6 h | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| July | 29°C 84°F | 17°C 63°F | 13 | 14.3 h | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| August | 28°C 82°F | 17°C 63°F | 12 | 13.5 h | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| September | 25°C 77°F | 13°C 55°F | 9 | 12.3 h | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| October | 20°C 68°F | 7°C 45°F | 8 | 11.2 h | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| November | 15°C 59°F | 2°C 36°F | 9 | 10.2 h | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| December | 10°C 50°F | -1°C 30°F | 10 | 9.8 h | 3/5 | 3/5 |
Yearly events
Recurring dates shift from year to year; confirm with the organiser before you book.
| Month | Events |
|---|---|
| January | Christmas at Biltmore ends (usually early January) |
| March | Biltmore Blooms — spring flowers in the estate gardens (usually March to May) |
| April | Biltmore Blooms (spring) |
| June | Shindig on the Green — free bluegrass and mountain music on summer Saturday evenings (usually June to August) |
| July | Craft Fair of the Southern Highlands (usually mid-July) |
| August | Mountain Dance and Folk Festival — long-running Appalachian music festival (usually early August) |
| September | North Carolina Apple Festival in Hendersonville (usually Labor Day weekend) |
| October | Craft Fair of the Southern Highlands (usually mid-October) |
| November | Christmas at Biltmore (usually early November to early January); National Gingerbread House Competition display at the Omni Grove Park Inn (usually mid-November to early January) |
| December | Christmas at Biltmore candlelight evenings (December) |
Cheapest and quietest times
Hotel prices are usually lowest in January–February, and the sights are quietest in January–February.
What to pack
| Season | Pack |
|---|---|
| Spring | Light layers for the day and a light jacket for the evening; Shoes with good grip for icy pavements; A compact umbrella and waterproof shoes — rain is frequent; Comfortable walking shoes |
| Summer | Light, breathable clothes, a sun hat and high-factor sunscreen; A compact umbrella and waterproof shoes — rain is frequent; Comfortable walking shoes |
| Autumn | Light layers for the day and a light jacket for the evening; Shoes with good grip for icy pavements; A packable rain jacket for showers; Comfortable walking shoes |
| Winter | A warm coat, hat, gloves and thermal layers; Shoes with good grip for icy pavements; A packable rain jacket for showers; Comfortable walking shoes |
Questions travellers ask
+What is the best month to visit Asheville?
May–June and September–October are the best months. Of those, May is usually the least crowded and June the warmest, with highs around 27°C (81°F).
+When are hotel prices lowest in Asheville?
Usually in January–February. Cold with occasional snow; the parkway may close at higher elevations, but downtown is quiet and hotels cheap.
+What is the rainiest month in Asheville?
July, with about 13 days of rain on average.
+How hot does Asheville get?
The warmest month, July, averages highs of 29°C (84°F) and lows of 17°C (63°F).