RALEIGH — Fall foliage seekers and fishermen can once again access all of North Carolina’s federal sites including Great Smoky Mountains National Park and Cape Hatteras National Seashore plus many other sites across the state.

“Fall is a fantastic time to visit North Carolina,” said Wit Tuttell, director of marketing for the NC Division of Tourism, Film and Sports Development. “The fall foliage in the mountains is really popping and the fishing action is heating up on the coast. Tourism is a $19 billion industry for our state, and we’re excited to get back to work hosting visitors during our peak travel season.”

Travelers can keep track of peak color as it makes its way across the state through park ranger reports and photos available online at VisitNC.com/fall. In addition, travelers can see what’s happening in other regions of the state with Piedmont foliage reports and coastal fishing reports.

Federal tourism sites in North Carolina include:

Blue Ridge Parkway

Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Cape Hatteras National Seashore

Cape Lookout National Seashore

Appalachian Trail

Overmountain Victory National Trail

Nantahala and Pisgah National Forests

Uwharrie National Forest

Croatan National Forest

Carl Sandberg Home National Historic Site

Guilford Courthouse National Military Park

Moores Creek National Battlefield

Fort Raleigh National Historic Site

Wright Brothers National Memorial

Wildlife Refuges (11 statewide)

Military Museums at Fort Bragg