Autumn is one of the most magical times of year to visit the Smoky Mountains, as the leaves transform into a vibrant display of orange, yellow and red colors! While it’s tricky to predict the peak time of fall foliage each year, the great news is that the autumn leaf season generally lasts several weeks in the Smokies as the colors travel down the mountains from high to low elevations! Here are the top 4 things to know about the fall foliage in the Smoky Mountains:
1. General Timing of Fall Colors
Whether you are visiting the Smokies in September or November, there is an excellent chance that you’ll get to see the stunning fall colors! Elevation plays a key factor of when the leaves change, so the color displays at the highest elevations start as early as mid-September with the turning of yellow birch, American beech, mountain maple, hobblebush and pin cherry. The fall colors develop above 4,000 feet from early to mid-October, then the peak season for mid and lower elevations is generally between mid-October to early November. This is the most spectacular display as it includes many colorful trees, including sugar maple, scarlet oak, sweetgum and red maple.
2. Where to View Fall Foliage in the Smokies
You’ll never have to travel far to enjoy the sight of fall foliage in the Smoky Mountains! If you’re arriving in the earlier part of autumn, consider driving to some of the higher destinations in the Smokies such as Clingmans Dome and the Foothills Parkway. Otherwise, you can see the magnificent colors virtually anywhere throughout Great Smoky Mountains National Park and the surrounding area. This is an excellent time to take advantage of one of the local attractions that provides a bird’s eye view of the mountains, such as the Gatlinburg Space Needle, Aerial Tramway to Ober Mountain, Anakeesta and Gatlinburg SkyPark!
3. Places to Visit for Some Incredible Photos
Whether you’re an amateur or professional photographer, you’ll find plenty of amazing places to take pictures of the fall colors throughout the Smokies! Consider heading to Cades Cove Loop Road, which contains the widest variety of historic buildings in Great Smoky Mountains National Park! The fall is an excellent time to take photos of these buildings, which include several churches, barns, log houses and a working grist mill, among the background of the fall foliage! Some of the other popular destinations in the area for photography include the Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail, Little River Road, Cataloochee Overlook and Parson Branch Road.
4. Where to Stay
Stay among the beauty of fall foliage in the Smoky Mountains with a vacation at our beautiful Sevierville hotel! We are conveniently located right along the Parkway and offer the finest in accommodations, including hardwood floors in every guest room and luxurious bedding! While staying with us, you’ll also love room amenities such as large, flat screen televisions, walk-in showers, free wireless Internet access and multiple places to charge your devices! Come see for yourself why there is no better place to stay in the Smokies!
Check out all of the rooms at our hotel in Sevierville TN today to enjoy the colorful magic of fall foliage in the Smoky Mountains! We look forward to seeing you soon!
