Your Ultimate Guide to the Smoky Mountain Fall Colors

Autumn is a spectacular time to visit the Smoky Mountains! You’ll not only have the chance to experience some of the best weather of the year, but beautiful fall colors that transform the mountains into a truly magical sight! If you’ve been wondering about the best time to visit during fall foliage season or the top destinations for viewing the colors, we have all the important information that you need! Check out our ultimate guide to the Smoky Mountain fall colors:

Best Time to View the Fall Colors

The Smoky Mountain fall colors usually last several weeks, with leaves at the highest elevations changing colors as early as mid-September! This is when leaves turn colors on trees such as the yellow birch, American beech, mountain maple, hobblebush, and pin cherry. Once reaching early to mid-October, the fall colors develop above 4,000 feet. Finally, the fall colors at mid and lower elevations generally reach their peak between mid-October and early November. This is the most impressive time of all, as it includes colorful trees such as sugar maple, scarlet oak, sweetgum, red maple, and hickories! Note that the exact timing of the fall color changes is difficult to predict due to many variables, but this gives you a general idea of what to expect!

Great Places to See the Fall Foliage

While you’ll be able to enjoy the Smoky Mountain fall colors virtually anywhere in the area, there are several places that offer excellent viewpoints! If you are visiting in early October, consider driving along the Foothills Parkway or Clingmans Dome Road to see the leaf colors at the higher elevations. Once the leaves are changing at the lower elevations, take a scenic drive along roads such as the Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail, Cades Cove Loop Road, and Newfound Gap Road. These drives feature many overlooks where you can pull over to stretch your legs and soak in the magnificent views! If hiking is your thing, you’ll find there are 850 miles of trails where you can experience the vibrant colors up close and personal! Some of the other top places to see the fall foliage include destinations like Mount LeConte and Mount Cammerer! 

Fun Things to Do During the Fall to See the Colors

You’ll find plenty of fun things to do during the fall to see the colors! Our white water rafting trips in the Smoky Mountains are available all the way into mid-October, so don’t miss the chance to combine the excitement of rafting with a scenic expedition down the Pigeon River! You can also go ziplining at CLIMBWorks, where you can soar above the gorgeous Smoky Mountain fall colors with your family and friends! Another fun option is one of the chairlift-style rides in the Gatlinburg area that take you up into the mountains, such as the Aerial Tramway to Ober Mountain, Chondola at Anakeesta, and the SkyLift to Gatlinburg SkyLift Park! Gatlinburg is a beautiful drive away from our outpost and definitely worth visiting in the fall.

While you’re in the area to experience the Smoky Mountain fall colors, don’t miss the chance to experience one of our last white water rafting trips of the season! We look forward to seeing you soon!