Horses in Cades Cove, Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Great Smoky Mountains National Park

While some people could complain about Tennessee's hot and humid summer or snowless winter, no one would dispute the beauty of the state's vivid and crisp fall. The top destination to see fall colors in Tennessee is, without a doubt, the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, which owes its fall beauty to the stunning bio-diversity, especially Appalachian native trees like oak, maple, ash, and dogwood. The most visited national park in the nation well deserves its reputation. However, you can find beautiful fall vistas in Tennesee beyond the Smokies.

Best time to see fall foliage in Tennessee

Fall foliage season in Tennessee extends from late September to early November. Leaves change color in East Tennessee in early October, while the central part of the state and West Tennessee get to see first fall foliage displays in mid-October. Late October is the peak time to go leaf-peeping. By Thanksgiving, the tree branches are already bare. Fall foliage season also varies depending on elevation. In the mountains, the colors show off earlier, while in lower areas, you can observe them later in the season.

Best places to see fall colors in Tennessee

Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Tennessee is dotted with state parks providing scenic spots for leaf peeping all across the state. Yet the Great Smoky Mountains National Park has always been the most colorful place due to its amazing diversity of trees. The park hosts up to a hundred native tree species, most of which are deciduous. If you visit the Smokies in September, you'll view the glorious fall foliage of yellow birch, American beech, hobblebush, mountain maple, and pin cherry. But the most spectacular hues appear between mid-October and early November at middle and lower elevations when scarlet oaks, sugar maples, red maples, sweetgums, and hickories turn colors.

Start your stunning adventure with the mountain town of Gatlinburg, which is the gateway to the Great Smokies. You'll be taken away by sweeping views, opening from the 407-ft (124-m) Space Needle observation tower. Another good choice is a trip in the Sky Lift connecting the downtown with the amusement park and ski resort Ober Gatlinburg.

After visiting the town's key attractions, proceed deeper into the park. Take a scenic drive along the Clingmans Dome Road, Newfound Gap Road, or Little River Road from Gatlinburg to Townsend. Other popular destinations are Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail, Laurel Falls Trail, Greenbrier Picnic Area, and Cades Cove. A scenic drive on Cades Cove Loop Road is a must-see during the autumn months.

Rocky Top

If you're willing to explore the fall colors beyond the Smokies, go on a road trip to Rocky Top to the famous tunes by the Osborne Brothers, one of Tennessee's ten official state songs. The picturesque city located in the hills is only 67 mi (108 km) northwest of Gatlinburg and 26 mi (42 km) northwest of Knoxville.

Fall Creek Falls State Park

Autumnal waterfalls are a staple of nature photography, and you can get plenty of Instagram-worthy shots at Fall Creek Falls State Park. One of Tennessee's most popular state parks boasts many waterfalls and gorges, including the famous Cane Creek Gorge. The park doesn't lack scenic overlooks, framed by beautiful hardwood trees.

Chattanooga

Another stunning location outside of the Great Smoky Mountains is the city of Chattanooga in southeastern Tennessee. Its main advantage is its picturesque setting along the Tennessee River in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains. Discover the charms of the season while walking across the Cumberland Trail. The vast breathtaking panoramas open from the trail's southern terminus at Signal Point. You may also want to book a cruise and view the colors from the Tennessee River Gorge, or jump aboard the Lookout Mountain Incline Railway or Tennessee Valley Railroad for excellent vantage points.

Where to stay

While planning on your fall getaway in Tennessee, check out the fall colors map and opt for the most convenient place to stay. As a general rule, October is the busiest season, so you may want to visit during weekdays rather than weekends.

Practical info

Where is the best place to see fall colors in Tennessee?

If you want to experience the spectacle of fall colors in Tennessee, head to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The park boasts around a hundred native tree species, mostly deciduous. Spectacular hues can be seen in mid-October to early November at middle and lower elevations when the sugar maples, scarlet oaks, sweetgums, red maples, and hickories turn color. Show more

What is the most colorful tree species in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park?

When the leaves start to change between mid-October and early November, the Great Smoky Mountains National Park bursts with colors. You'll see the scarlet oaks, sugar maples, sweetgums, hickories, and red maples turn amazing hues. If you go in September, you can expect to view the yellow birch, American beech, hobblebush, mountain maple, and pin cherry. Show more

Where can you find panoramic views of the fall foliage in Chattanooga?

For breathtaking views of fall foliage in Chattanooga, you can explore the Cumberland Trail, which offers stunning panoramas from the Signal Point southern terminus. A boat cruise along the Tennessee River Gorge is another great option if you want to see the colors from a different perspective. You can also hop aboard the Lookout Mountain Incline Railway or the Tennessee Valley Railroad for spectacular views. Show more