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Writer's pictureSamantha Diaz
Oct 11, 2021

Fall Foliage in the Smoky Mountains

Oh, autumn, My favorite time of the year! The best time to visit the Smoky Mountains is in the fall because the air is crisp, the leaves change colors, and fall festivals are in full swing. The Fall Foliage In The Smokies is a sight to behold. The beautiful colors shown throughout the mountains in Tennessee make Fall one of the most popular times for hiking and traveling. This article will go over some of the best places to see Fall Foliage in the Smoky Mountains, as well as tips on how to take care of your camera while you're there!


Great Smoky Mountains National Park

This park has the largest Fall Foliage in Tennessee. You can't miss it! Travelers come from all over to see the Smoky Mountains fall colors from deep greens to beautiful red, yellow, and orange shades. Planning your trip when the fall color peak can be tricky, you don’t want to come too early before the colors change, and you don’t want to come too late when the trees have already shed their leaves for the year. So, I want to help you experience the Smoky Mountains fall colors at the best spots in Tennessee.



Foothills Parkway

Traffic is the last thing you need while trying to see the Smoky Mountains fall foliage. Avoiding vehicle congestion along the parkway is paramount, which can cause miles and miles of cars backed up along the parkway., At the same time, Cades Cove is one of the most popular spots. I suggest taking the Roaring Fork route and make a few stops to see the fall beauty of the Smoky Mountains, which includes a self‑guided nature walk, 2.6‑mile hike to Grotto Falls. Once you arrive, you will be rewarded with a stunning drive filled with autumn colors of red, orange, brown, tints of purple and yellow.


Cherohala Skyway

The Cherohala Skyway is a Fall Foliage gem in the mountains of Tennessee. This scenic drive will take you to some of the most beautiful Fall foliage spots and offers great views from above as it ascends into high-altitude forests. You'll have plenty of opportunities to stop along this 43-mile stretch for quick hikes and Fall leaf-peeping.


Tail Of The Dragon

Fall Foliage in Tennessee is amazing, and I hope my Fall foliage guide helps you find the Fall spots that will make your trip to the Smoky Mountains perfect! One of the best Fall drives in Tennessee is located at The Tail Of The Dragon. Every Fall, this drive becomes a Fall Foliage lover's dream, and it may be one of the most popular driving routes for leaf-peepers. Be sure to stop at Deals Gap near Tellico Plains as you make your way up to "The Dragon".


Newfound Gap

The Fall foliage in Newfound Gap is breathtaking. Newfound Gap is only one mile high which this the first stop along the scenic route to see the fall colors in the Smoky Mountains. The color palette is just as stunning at the beginning of the route as it is at the top of Clingman Dome. Still, I do suggest arriving early because traffic is absolutely horrible as the morning progresses.



Clingman's Dome

The highest point in the Smoky National Park offers a phenomenal panoramic view of the entire Smoky Mountain landscape. Clingman's Dome sits 6,643 feet above sea level, and beautiful fall colors will surround you if you visit mid to late September. The road to Clingman's Dome is filled with tons of photo opportunities, and you will be tempted to stop over and over again, but don’t stop too many times because you will not make it to the top. So, make sure you dress in layers because it will be super cold. Clingman's Dome is one of the best Fall foliage hikes in Tennessee.


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