Asked by: Bohdan Bertani
travel polar travel

What is the best time to see fall colors in Smoky Mountains?

Last Updated: 4th February, 2020

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The best time to see Smoky Mountain fall foliage is anywhere from mid-October to early November in the mid- and lower elevations. The landscape here is populated with sugar maples, hickories, sweetgum, scarlet oaks, red maples and nearly 100 other species of native trees.

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Hereof, where are the fall colors in the Smoky Mountains?

The 5 Best Places to See Fall Colors in the Smoky Mountains

  • Newfound Gap Road.
  • Blue Ridge Parkway.
  • Foothills Parkway.
  • Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail.
  • Clingmans Dome.

Likewise, what is the best time to go to Smoky Mountains? The best times to visit Great Smoky Mountains National Park are the summer (June, July and August) and the fall. July is the busiest month of the summer season while October weekends draw those in search of autumn foliage.

Correspondingly, what month do the leaves change color in Tennessee?

The fall color display usually reaches peak at middle and lower elevations between mid-October and early November.

Are the leaves changing in the Smoky Mountains?

The leaves typically start to change around early to mid October. The highest elevations of the Smoky Mountains will likely have their most vibrant fall colors around the end of October, and leaves in the surrounding area are expected to peak about a week later.

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Which state has the best fall foliage?

Best Fall Foliage in the US
  • Northeast: New Hampshire. "White Mountains in New Hampshire – Kencamagus Highway is gorgeous!" – Stephanie C.
  • Northeast: Maine. "Acadia National Park in Maine, of course!" – Darcy G.
  • Northeast: New Jersey.
  • Northeast: New York.
  • South: Tennessee.
  • South: Arkansas.
  • Midwest: Ohio.
  • Midwest: Minnesota.

Nando Buettner

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What is there to do in the Smoky Mountains in October?

Here's 8 of the best fall things to do in the Smoky Mountains
  • Exploring a corn maze and pumpkin patch.
  • Visiting an apple orchard and market.
  • A Zipline Adventure.
  • Horseback Riding.
  • Bicycling.
  • Fishing.
  • Waterfall Viewing.
  • Wine Tasting.

Maddalena Folkers

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Are the leaves changing in Asheville NC?

Fall Color Map & Fall Leaves Schedule. Fall color in the Asheville, N.C. area generally begins in late September, with the highest elevations (above 6,000 feet) seeing the change first. During the next six weeks, fall color makes its way down the mountain sides into the valleys and foothills.

Deloras Orizales

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What is the best time to go to Gatlinburg TN?

The best time to visit Gatlinburg is between September and October. The two peak seasons in Gatlinburg are summer (June, July and August) and the month of October, when the fall foliage is at its zenith. July is the busiest month of the summer season, while weekends in October draw the largest crowds in the fall.

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What is there to do in Gatlinburg in October 2019?

Fun Things to do in Gatlinburg During October
  • Gatlinburg Farmers Market. For guests who are fortunate enough to arrive during the first week in October, the local Farmers Market is still in full swing.
  • The Sugarlands Spirits Stage.
  • “The Holler”
  • Gatlinburg Craftsmen's Fair.
  • ZipGatlinburg.
  • OktOberfest.
  • Shocktober.
  • Ripley's Fright Nights.

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Where should I stay when visiting the Smoky Mountains?

Great Smoky Mountains's best hotels with breakfast
  • Home2 Suites By Hilton Pigeon Forge.
  • Hilton Garden Inn Pigeon Forge.
  • Holiday Inn Express Gatlinburg Downtown.
  • Courtyard by Marriott Gatlinburg Downtown.
  • Comfort Inn Apple Valley Sevierville.
  • Hampton Inn Gatlinburg Historic Nature Trail, Tn.
  • Hampton Inn Pigeon Forge.

Foster Heberlein

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Where is fall foliage in Tennessee?

8 Best Places to View Fall Foliage in Tennessee
  • Newfound Gap Road. Credit: Phil Varney/Flickr.com. Newfound Gap Road. Newfound Gap Road.
  • Cades Cove. Credit: SpeedProPhoto/Flickr.com. Cades Cove. Cades Cove.
  • Gatlinburg Space Needle. Credit: Facebook.com. Gatlinburg Space Needle. Gatlinburg Space Needle.
  • Cataloochee Valley. Credit: Carl Wycoff/Flickr.com. Cataloochee Valley.

Tirsa Humpert

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What is better Pigeon Forge or Gatlinburg?

One of the major differences between the two cities is the feel. Gatlinburg is nestled right in the middle of the mountains and has a kind of small town feel. You can walk the downtown area. Pigeon Forge has views of the Smokies, but it isn't right at the base of mountains.

Fermina Linda

Pundit

Are the leaves changing in Tennessee?

Prime fall foliage in East Tennessee varies by elevation; in the higher altitudes, leaves begin to change at the end of September and reach their peak from early to mid-October, whereas autumnal beauty reaches its prime mid-October in the lower altitudes.

Iurgi Obreo

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What month do the leaves fall off the trees?

Across the country, October is the month for leaf color and drop! More exact dates are below. Of course, if there's unusual weather in your area, like an especially dry season or early fall, trees may lose leaves sooner or later.

Bru Cardoso

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Does Nashville have all 4 seasons?

One reason Nashville is such an incredible place to live is because of the weather. Nashville manages to get all four seasons in a year without any being too severe. Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter…you need them all to appreciate them all.

Adams Sajeev

Teacher

Is November good time to visit Smoky Mountains?

November is a glorious time of the year full of celebrating of families and being thankful for everything that you have. You don't want to miss out on the many things to do at the Smoky Mountains during the November season.

Bah Sansoo

Teacher

Where is the best place to see the leaves change?

Top 5 Best Places To See The Leaves Change This Fall
  • The Berkshires, Massachusetts. Less than a three-hour drive from Boston lies one of the best places to see the leaves change: The Berkshires!
  • The Catskills, New York.
  • Great Smoky Mountains, North Carolina & Tennessee.
  • The Ozarks, Arkansas & Missouri.
  • Aspen, Colorado.

Hongyu Verbruggen

Teacher

What is there to do in Tennessee in the fall?

12 Things to Do in East Tennessee in the Fall
  • East Tennessee is one of the best places to visit in the fall.
  • Spend an evening in Rugby for a “Ghostly Gathering.”
  • Visit the Smoky Mountains.
  • Check out the Mennonite community of Muddy Pond.
  • Attend Fall Colors Spooktacular at Fall Creek Falls.
  • Crossville Oktoberfest.
  • Attend the Muscadine Balloon Fiesta.

Lauro Lichkus

Teacher

What does Tennessee mean?

The meaning and origin of the word are uncertain. Some accounts suggest it is a Cherokee modification of an earlier Yuchi word. It has been said to mean "meeting place", "winding river", or "river of the great bend".

Evangelica Juangosotetegui

Reviewer

What month do the leaves change?

This tourist activity occurs between the beginning of color changes and the onset of leaf fall, usually around September and October in the Northern Hemisphere and April to May in the Southern Hemisphere.

Sehila Gogu

Reviewer

What should I wear for fall colors?

What Colors To Wear In Fall For Women
  • Yellow.
  • Mustard.
  • Orange.
  • Different shades of red such as burgundy, ember, and maroon.
  • Navy blue.
  • Shades of green such as olive green, emerald, and turquoise.
  • Rose pink.
  • Gray.

Talitha Woehler

Reviewer

How many days do you need in the Smoky Mountains?

3 days

Nyima Hoste

Reviewer

Is Cades Cove free?

Admission is free. Cades Cove features an 11-mile, paved loop road around the cove.

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EveryThingWhat Staff Editor

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4th February, 2020

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