Fall in Boone has a way of making simple things feel like the highlight of the trip. A bag of crisp mountain apples. A winding drive beneath red and gold leaves. A curious alpaca watching you from across a pasture.
Put them together, and you have the makings of a pretty great autumn day in the North Carolina High Country.
For guests spending a few days in Boone, an apple-and-alpaca outing is easy to work into the schedule. You can spend part of the day exploring the countryside around Boone and Banner Elk, enjoy some of the season’s favorite flavors, and still have plenty of time to get back to town for dinner.
In this article:
–Pair apples with alpacas: Pick up fresh North Carolina apples, then visit Apple Hill Farm near Banner Elk for a guided alpaca farm tour.
–Plan an easy fall day from Boone: Enjoy scenic High Country drives, seasonal stops, and plenty of time to return to Boone for dinner.
–Stay close to the fun: Graystone Lodge in Boone, NC offers a comfortable home base with breakfast, an indoor pool, pet-friendly rooms, and easy access to fall activities.
Graystone Lodge is a 101-room boutique hotel located in Boone, NC, that captures the spirit of the High Country in a warm, welcoming ambiance of a mountain lodge with an enhanced modern design and upscale amenities. Book your stay or learn more about our rooms. Subscribe to our email list to “stay in the know” about local tips, events, and promotions: Join the list!
Start with Fresh Mountain Apples
Apples and fall in the North Carolina mountains simply belong together.
One important planning note for 2026: there are currently no U-Pick apple orchards in Watauga County. The Orchard at Altapass, about an hour from Boone, also announced that it will not offer U-Pick this year after a spring freeze severely reduced its crop. Limited apples may still be available there during the season.
That certainly doesn’t mean you have to leave the High Country without your apple fix.
One easy stop is J & M Produce between Boone and Blowing Rock. This longtime roadside market carries North Carolina apples along with pumpkins, jams, honey, seasonal produce, and other mountain staples during the fall.
Pick up a bag for the hotel room, grab a few treats for the drive, and save room for whatever apple dessert catches your eye later in the weekend.
Then Head to the Alpacas at Apple Hill Farm
The second half of your autumn pairing takes you into the mountains near Banner Elk.
Apple Hill Farm: Tickets Required is a family-owned working fiber farm at 400 Apple Hill Road. The farm was founded in 2003 and is home to alpacas, llamas, angora goats, donkeys, cows, and other animals, each playing a role in life on the farm.
Guided walking tours generally last 45 to 60 minutes. During the tour, guides talk about the animals, their stories, and how a working fiber farm operates. Animal interaction depends on what the animals choose to do that day, which is part of the charm.
Fall is an especially pretty time to visit. Mountain views, cool air, changing leaves, and alpacas make for the sort of afternoon that feels distinctly High Country.
A quick clarification: despite its name, Apple Hill Farm does not offer apple picking. The farm itself makes up the alpaca half of your day; grab your apples elsewhere before or after your visit. Advanced tickets are required to see the animals. From Memorial Day through the end of October, tours are offered seven days a week, and the farm store is generally open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Hours can change, so check ahead before leaving Boone.
A Simple Fall Day from Boone
You don’t need to pack every hour with activities. One of the best parts of staying in Boone for several days is having room to slow down and enjoy the drive.
Try a schedule like this:
- Enjoy breakfast and local Hatchet Coffee at Graystone Lodge.
- Pick up fresh North Carolina apples or other fall treats.
- Take the scenic drive toward Banner Elk and Apple Hill Farm.
- Spend about an hour on a guided farm tour.
- Return toward Boone for dinner, then finish the evening around the fire pit.
Leave some flexibility in the afternoon. Fall traffic can be heavier during peak leaf weekends, and there are plenty of places along the way where you may decide to stop for a photo or simply enjoy the view.
A Great Fall Activity for Families
Parents looking for something beyond another hike will appreciate how easy this outing can be with children.
Farm animals naturally keep younger travelers interested, while the guided format gives older kids and adults plenty to learn. Apple Hill Farm even offers Tot Tours specifically designed for children under six, along with private family tour options.
Keep in mind that the farm tour takes place outdoors on gravel paths with a few hills, so comfortable shoes and layers are a good idea. Autumn temperatures can shift quickly once the sun moves behind the mountains.
Families searching for the best family-friendly hotel in Boone, NC can use Graystone Lodge as a convenient home base between outings. Our heated indoor pool gives the kids another activity after the drive, while complimentary hot breakfast makes it easier to get everyone moving the next morning.
Bringing Your Dog to Boone This Fall?
Graystone Lodge offers designated pet-friendly rooms for guests traveling with dogs, making us a convenient option for travelers searching for the best pet-friendly hotel in Boone, NC. There is also a grassy pet area right at the hotel.
There is one important detail to plan around: Apple Hill Farm asks visitors to leave pets at home because it is a working farm.
If your dog is part of your Boone getaway, plan your farm visit accordingly and save your pet-friendly outdoor time for another part of the trip.
Make Graystone Lodge Your Fall Home Base
An autumn trip to Boone doesn’t have to revolve around one big attraction. Sometimes the best days are a collection of smaller things: local apples, mountain roads, farm animals, colorful trees, a good meal, and a comfortable room waiting when you get back.
Graystone Lodge is an upscale boutique hotel in Boone, NC with locally inspired touches, complimentary hot breakfast, Hatchet Coffee, a heated indoor pool, an outdoor fire pit, pet-friendly accommodations, and a convenient location for exploring Boone and the surrounding High Country.
If you’re looking for the best place to stay in Boone, NC for a one- to four-day fall getaway, make Graystone Lodge your starting point. Pack a sweater, leave room in the car for a bag of apples, and don’t forget your camera.
The alpacas are waiting.
Check out other blogs:
- A Guide to Fall Festivals in Boone, NC
- 5 Iconic Spots You Won’t Want to Miss Near Boone
- Discover Why the High Country is a Paradise for Mountain Bike Riding
- Now’s the Time to Start Preparing for App State Football
- Where Exactly is the “High Country” of North Carolina?
- Discover the Top Waterfall Hikes Around Boone to Beat the Heat
- Boone and Brews: Tapping Into NC’s High Country Beer Scene