1. Falls Lake State Recreation Area, northern Wake County.

Where: Beaverdam access is off N.C. 50 north of N.C. 98.

Best color: "The best way to view colors is from a boat," says ranger Eric Dousharm, "though we're not recommending that because low water is leaving hazards exposed." One place it is safe to view the show from: the Beaverdam recreation area, where canoes and kayaks rule the waters.

Info: 676-1027, http://ils.unc.edu/ parkproject/visit/fala/home.html.

2. Jordan Lake State Recreation Area, Wake and Chatham counties.

Where: Various access points off U.S. 64 west of Apex.

Best color: "Ebenezer is nice at sunset," says ranger Sue McBean. That would be the Ebenezer Church recreation area south of Wilsonville. And that would be because it provides a great view of changing color across the lake, color enhanced by the lake's reflection and setting sun.

Info: 362-0586, http://ils.unc.edu /parkproject/visit/jord/home.html.

3. West Point on the Eno City Park, Durham.

Where: Off U.S. 15/501 south of Latta Road.

Best color: "Ridges and hillsides see the best color," says Riverdave, the naturalist previously known as Dave Owen, who leads daily wafting trips along a one-mile stretch of the Eno.

Info: 471-1623, www.enoriver.org /eno/parks/WestPoint/westpoint.html.

4. Blue Jay Point County Park, Raleigh.

Where: Off Six Forks Road south of N.C. 98.

Best color: Six Forks approaching the park from both directions offers good fall lake views, says Blue Jay's education program director, Denise Hefner. A great in-park option for small children is the 0.2-mile hike down an old roadbed to the park's namesake, a point at which, says Hefner, you can get a 270-degree view of the surrounding shoreline.

Info: 870-4330, www.wake gov.com/county/parks/bluejay/default.htm.

5. Duke Forest, Durham.

Where: Two spots in the divvied-up forest's Korstian Division: Off N.C. 751 near the Duke campus and along New Hope Creek.

Best color: "There's a mixture of conifers and hardwoods," says Judson Edeburn, the forest's resource manager. Colorwise, that gives a nice contrast of green to the reds and yellows. It's good for strollers, youngsters and oldsters as the trail is wide and flat. Note: This is a research forest; it's especially important to stay on the trail.

Info: 613-8013, www.env. duke.edu/forest.

6. Raven Rock State Park, Harnett County.

Where: On the Cape Fear River upstream from Lillington.

Best color: Hike out to the park's overlook, atop the 150-foot bluff that overlooks the Cape Fear, and ranger David Brown says you'll be treated to some great views of an oak/hickory forest. Surprisingly hilly, too, considering this is where the coastal plain takes over from the Piedmont.

Info: (910) 893-4888, http://ils.unc.edu/parkproject/visit/ raro/home.html.

7. Umstead State Park, Raleigh.

Where: Main park entrances are off I-40 at Harrison Avenue and off Glenwood Avenue/U.S. 70 between I-540 and Ebenezer Church Road.

Best color: Ranger Keith Nealson recommends the short (less than a mile) Inspiration and Oak Rock trails. Main reason: Both include plaques identifying the trees, so you'll know exactly what tree is showing what color. Also: The east loop (after crossing the Crabtree Creek footbridge) of Company Mill Trail. "Shockingly colorful," proclaims Nealson.

Info: 571-4170, http://ils.unc.edu/ parkproject/visit/wium/home.html.

8. Eno River State Park, Durham.

Where: Various access points along Cole Mill Road in Durham and Orange counties (see Web site).

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