Now You Can See an Interactive Tennessee Fall Foliage Map (2024)

Scroll down to view a data-driven map with 7 fall tips from a local

They say the beauty of fall in Tennessee is due to the diversity of trees in the forest. Local flora – depending on what part of the state you’re visiting – may include oak trees, hickories, maples, American beech and hobblebush – just to name a few.

But where can you spot the best and brightest fall colors Tennessee and the Smoky Mountains have to offer?

If you want to get the most out of your experience, I have some suggestions.

First, check out this interactive fall foliage map created exclusively for our TheSmokies.com readers.

Second, read my seven tips below.

This interactive fall foliage map was created exclusively for TheSmokies.com and is comprised of data from a variety of sources.

This map can tell visitors when the best time to visit the Smoky Mountains and see fall colors. Also below, you’ll find tips for visiting in the fall and where to get the best mountain views during the fall season.

Fall foliage prediction map for Tennessee 2024

Use the slider below to view our predictions for peak fall foliage in Tennessee for the 2024 season.

This map represents a collection of historical data from a variety of sources to provide a rough approximation of when the leaves will begin to change color, segmented by county.

As a disclaimer, actual dates may vary. Below the state map, you will also find a close-up map of East Tennessee. Sevier County, for reference, is home to Gatlinburg and also the bulk of the Tennessee side of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

An interactive map of Tennessee

A close-up look at East Tennessee

Tennessee peak fall foliage by county

Below, you will find a more detailed breakdown of our predictions for fall foliage by county (listed as county name/peak date).

Now that you know the dates to target, here are some of my best fall foliage spotting tips and tricks for the Smoky Mountains of East Tennessee and surrounding areas.

1. Visit in late October or early November

Leaves usually begin to turn around mid-October with a burst of color arriving towards the end of the month.

Peak time for autumn foliage in the Smokies usually falls around the last week of October to early November.

2. Go higher in elevation

If you’re driving into Tennessee in late September or early October and you’re seeing entirely too much green, raise your elevation.

The leaves start turning earlier in the higher elevations, and you can find some of the colors you seek way up in the high mountains.

3. Visit the Great Smoky Mountains National Park

The Great Smoky Mountains National Park in East Tennessee and Western North Carolina is the most visited national park in the United States and for good reason.

For instance, there are dozens of famous walks, trails, drives and guides that will take you to the best, the prettiest, the most amazing views in the Smoky Mountains.

But you know what? Beauty is everywhere in the mountains. Simply look around and view it. Visitors could spend a lifetime in the mountains looking for the best view and the prettiest foliage.

They won’t see the forest for the trees. The Smokies have thousands of scenic views, historic sites and running streams. And you know what? They’re all perfect.

4. Visit one of the smaller local parks

The National Park ain’t the only park in Tennessee. There are several great state parks, each offering beautiful views.

For example, the overlook at Panther Creek State Park in Morristown, TN is a personal favorite, but partly because it’s 15 minutes from my house.

Still, many others will give you some leaf-peeping street cred. There’s also Lookout Mountain if you don’t mind a day trip to Chattanooga.

5. Cross the border into North Carolina

If you’re in the Smoky Mountains, you can take leaf-peeping off your to-do list by walking out of your hotel and opening your eyes.

See the amazing beauty? Check. Let’s get some pancakes.

But, if you’re truly hoping to soak in some serious leaf-peeping, you have to put in the time.

For example, the Blue Ridge Parkway near Maggie Valley in North Carolina is amazing.

To the South, the Cherohala Skyway connecting Tellico Plains and North Carolina is an under-appreciated gem.

It’s a bit of a ride from Gatlinburg or Pigeon Forge, but it’s far less trafficked and has amazing views.

I have also been partial to the Hartford area of Cocke County. For example, Hartford, located near the North Carolina-Tennessee State line, offers several excellent places to view the mountains from the car.

The Cataloochee Valley is also a popular spot to visit in the fall.

6. Hit the hot spots

Do you want a picture that will make your Instagram followers chartreuse with envy?

Go to the places that draw the most people. Cades Cove in East Tennessee? The front half of the loop is better for foliage viewing and pictures, but you’d be hard-pressed to find a prettier spot in the world.

The drive on US 441 from Gatlinburg to Cherokee is an excellent way to get up in the mountains. And there are also several places to safely pull off and take in a majestic view.

As an added plus, you’d have a good chance on this drive to see some elk.

Other popular drives include Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail in Gatlinburg and Wears Valley Road connecting Pigeon Forge and Townsend through, you guessed it, Wears Valley.

For quick reference, here’s a consolidated list of some of our favorite leaf-peeping spots throughout the state. (Editor’s Note: GSMNP is the Great Smoky Mountains National Park)

Best leaf-peeping spots in East Tennessee

Newfound Gap Road	Scenic Drive	GSMNP (TN)
Cades Cove Loop	Scenic Drive	GSMNP (TN)
Foothills Parkway	Scenic Drive	GSMNP (TN)
Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail	Scenic Drive	GSMNP (TN)
Balsam Mountain Road	Scenic Drive	GSMNP (TN)
Cove Creek Road	Scenic Drive	GSMNP (TN)
Tennessee River	River/Overlook	East TN
Big South Fork National River	River/Overlook	East TN
Cumberland Plateau Scenic Route	Scenic Drive	East TN
Cherokee National Forest	Walk/Hike	East TN / West NC
Cherohala Skyway	Scenic Drive	East TN / West NC

Best leaf-peeping spots in Middle Tennessee

Natchez Trace Parkway	Scenic Drive	Middle TN / West TN
Lookout Mountain	Walk/Hike	East TN / North GA

Best leaf-peeping spots in West Tennessee

Meeman-Shelby Forest State Park	State Park	West TN
Natchez Trace Parkway	Scenic Drive	Middle TN / West TN

Best leaf-peeping spots in Western North Carolina

Cherohala Skyway	Scenic Drive	East TN / West NC
Cherokee National Forest	Walk/Hike	East TN / West NC
Blue Ridge Parkway	Scenic Drive	GSMNP (NC)
Clingmans Dome	Walk/Hike	GSMNP (NC)
Hot Springs	National Park	West NC

7. Ask a local

Finally, if you don’t know, ask somebody.

I’ve been riding around these mountains for quite some time and I’m continually amazed by some view or place I’ve never heard of.

Be sure to find a local and ask them what they like.

You might hear the same five drives I’ve told you about above, but there’s a chance they know some holler I’ve never been to.

Read More…

There’s a Trail You Can “Hike” by Car in the Smoky Mountains

The Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail is drivable in the Smoky Mountains

With one of the flashier names in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, the Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail can be one of the more relaxing experiences in the Smokies.

The trail is named for one of the larger, faster and louder streams in the Smokies.

And it just so happens to be the perfect way to explore the mountains without leaving your car.

The Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail is open from April to November and offers a way for visitors to explore the mountains without leaving their cars.

A variety of trailheads, landmarks and waterfalls are located along the trail. Wildlife spotting is also usually plentiful.

About the trail

The Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail is a narrow, winding, one-way road that is open in the spring, summer and fall.

The 5.5-mile loop road is a favorite side trip that offers a glimpse of life in the Smoky Mountains before the park.

It also offers pathways to ancient grottos, waterfalls and more. Though the trail is 5.5 miles long, it’s meant to be taken at a leisurely pace.

Take your time to enjoy the mountain streams, old-growth forest and several preserved log cabins, grist mills and other historic buildings.

Spotting some wildlife is not uncommon and can bring the proceedings to a halt.

Much like the Cades Cove Loop Road, it’s difficult to assess how long it takes to drive the trail.

It depends on how quickly you want to go and more importantly, how quickly others want to go.

I wouldn’t think of trying to drive the trail with less than an hour of free time. And don’t try to tackle it right before you have to be somewhere.

Waterfalls and hiking trails

Also located along the route is a wet-weather waterfall called Place of a Thousand Drips.

If you want to know how the Roaring Fork got its name, visit when the water is high.

Nearby trails are access points to see ancient hardwood forests. For example, the Trillium Gap Trailhead to Grotto Falls can be found along the route.

Trillium Gap can even lead an experienced hiker to the summit of Mt. LeConte. You can also hike deeper to see homesteads and view relics of the past.

The first settlers arrived in what is now Gatlinburg more than 100 years before the national park in the early 1800s.

Over the decades, their descendants spread out into the hollers and the coves of the surrounding mountains.

Landmarks nearby

When entering the Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail, you can stop at the Noah “Bud” Ogle self-guiding nature trail.

The trail offers a walking tour of a mountain farmstead and the surrounding hardwood forest.

Just beyond the Ogle farmstead is the trailhead for Rainbow Falls, another popular waterfall in the park.

Another settler, Richard Reagan, lived south of Gatlinburg on LeConte Creek. His children subsequently spread across the area as well. By 1900, three of his grandchildren had settled into the hollow along Roaring Fork, known as Spruce Flats, where they farmed the land.

The Bales family followed a similar path. And over the years, the families – which lived on adjoining pieces of land – intermingled.

The legacy of those lives lived on the mountain remains along the trail. One of the stops on the Motor Trail is Jim Bales Place, which features the original corn crib, barn, working tub mills, and the Alex Cole Cabin moved from the Sugarlands.

Jim Bales’s Place is the home of his older brother Ephraim. The Ephraim Bales Place is a double cabin with a passage known as a dog-trot, which essentially connects the two cabins under one roof.

With the exception of the back porch, the cabin remains chiefly as it was when the Bales lived there.

Also remaining on the property are a corn crib, hog pen and a barn. Below the Ephraim Bales Place is the Alfred Reagan Place.

Alfred was a blacksmith who ran a general store and grist mill. He was also a part-time preacher. Only his cabin and the mill remain today.

Reagan’s saddlebag cabin, with its sawboard paneling and paint, features two cabins around a single chimney. A kitchen was added later.

Thanks to the paneling and paint, it seems like it is from a completely different era than the two other cabins.

Tips for driving the trails

In my opinion, the Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail is worth a trip.

The Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail offers a little something for everyone while enjoying a trip to the Smokies.

It provides access to popular trails for hikers, historical landmarks, waterfalls and a relaxing drive to those who prefer to enjoy nature from their climate-controlled vehicles.

On my most recent trip to the nature trail, I was able to see three black bears.

Be sure to take your time and be on the lookout.

Also, if you’re the one driving, you’ll want to keep your head on a swivel. I was surprised to see someone ahead of me driving backward.

Be sure to look out for anyone doing something they are not supposed to. And also, don’t be one of those people.

Please note that buses, trailers and motor homes are not permitted on the Motor Nature Trail.

And finally, be sure to respect nature and the historic cabins when you visit.

Leave no trace and keep a distance from any black bears or other wildlife.

There are some bathrooms at the trailheads. However, they aren’t much better than port-a-potties.

I have used the one at Grotto Falls, and it was rough. I recommend making a stop beforehand whenever possible.

Hours and location

To access the trail, turn off the main Parkway in Gatlinburg at traffic light #8.

Then, follow the Historic Nature Trail Road.

The entrance to the Motor Trail is a short distance from the parking areas for Rainbow Falls trailhead.

It is only a few miles away from the Parkway in Gatlinburg. Or simply set your GPS to the Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trailhead at 117 Historic Nature Trail, Gatlinburg, TN 37738.

Finally, it’s important to remember that the trail closes around the end of November and reopens after the first week of April.

Driving along the trail is free.

However, if you plan to park your car in the national park for more than 15 minutes, you will need a valid parking tag.

Parking tags cost $5 daily or $15 weekly and are available for purchase both online and onsite at select locations.

Read More…

Where Does the Cherohala Skyway Begin? Your Guide to This Scenic Drive

There’s a road running across the mountains connecting Tellico Plains, Tennessee to Robbinsville, North Carolina.

And if you catch it on the right day, when the sky is the right blue and fluffy white clouds dot just the right places, it seems like the top of the world. 

How many miles is the Cherohala Skyway?

Of course, the 43-mile ribbon that is the Cherohala Skyway isn’t exactly a secret. 

The National Scenic Byway is frequently traveled and well-publicized. 

It connects the Cherokee and Nantahala National Forests (Chero … hala) which collectively draw millions of visitors each year.

But while millions have been to the mountains, I can promise you millions haven’t been to Tellico Plains.

It’s a sleepy little mountain town right on the edge of where it starts to get wild. 

Importantly, it should be noted that other than a couple of outhouses and a handful of picnic tables, there aren’t a lot of facilities along the way.

Make sure you’re good and gassed up and maybe use the restroom before starting your adventure. 

How long does it take to do the Cherohala Skyway?

The Cherohala Skyway drive is a little bit over an hour if you don’t stop for the sights. But that would be a mistake.

Sometimes it’s done significantly faster by motorcycle riders looking for the thrills offered by its cousin to the north, the infamous Tail of the Dragon.

There is less traffic and less chance for police interference on the Skyway. Above all, please drive safely on the winding curves.

Where does the Cherohala Skyway begin?

On the Tennessee side, the Cherohala Skyway begins alongside the banks of the Tellico River, a premier trout fishing stream. 

As you start your journey, stop by the Cherohala Skyway Visitor Center at 225 Cherohala Skyway, Tellico Plains, TN, open 9 am-5 pm.

Additionally, there are some beautiful cascading falls near the Tellico River Gorge where the Skyway diverges from the river and climbs higher up into the mountains.

In the winter, I have seen those falls frozen over. I have seen pictures of people posing on the frozen water, but I don’t recommend that. 

Take the side trip up to Indian Boundary Lake, a tiny lake at the top of the mountains. In truth, it’s one of the most beautiful spots I’ve ever seen.

In addition, at the Indian Boundary Lake Recreation Area, there’s a campground and picnic area with a swim beach and fantastic hiking options.

It offers spectacular mountain views and occasional wildlife viewings.

And when you’re up there by yourself, it’s possibly the most peaceful spot in the mountains. 

Cherohala Skyway overlooks

Not far from the turnoff for Indian Boundary Lake is the Turkey Creek Overlook, a pull-off that offers a panoramic view of the mountains below, and there are toilet facilities on hand. 

The Turkey Creek Overlook is one of five along the route. 

Once you cross into North Carolina, you can park and hike to Huckleberry Knob.

The trail is 1.7 miles long and is good for most hiking skill levels. The trail is known for its beautiful wildflowers and is dog-friendly if they are kept on a leash.

At the end of the hike, Huckleberry Knob features 360-degree views of the surrounding mountains. 

Not far from the Huckleberry Knob parking area is the Spirit Ridge Observation Deck.

It’s a good spot for families with kids to get out and “hike.”

The trail is more of a paved path and is also friendly for most skill levels.

It runs through a beautiful forest setting to an overlook deck that can offer scenic views in the right conditions. 

Santeetlah Overlook, at 5,390 feet elevation, rivals the Blue Ridge Parkway elevations.

It is the highest point on the Skyway.

Is the Tail of the Dragon on the Cherohala Skyway?

As you exit the Skyway, you’ll see the somewhat confusingly named Tail of the Dragon Family Rentals which offers scenic rental homes and mountain adventures.

While the facility is just a mile from the Cherohala Skyway, it’s about 20 miles from the Tail of the Dragon, which runs along Highway 129 and comes out near Maryville on the Tennessee side. 

You can make the trip along the Skyway and back in about 2.5 hours if you don’t stop for anything. I don’t recommend it.

Both Tellico and Robbinsville offer fun little mountain getaways and things to do outside of the more well-traveled tourist routes. 

Take your time, soak up the view and enjoy the experience. Enjoy the hiking and waterfalls along the route.

Many of the overlooks along the way certainly make for excellent picnic spots, as do the facilities at Indian Boundary Lake. 

Is the Cherohala Skyway open?

It is also important to note that the Skyway does not close in the winter months due to inclement weather.

The Visitor Center is open Monday-Sunday from 9 am to 5 pm.

Visit their social media page to learn more and view current updates.

Also, be sure to check out a detailed weather report before venturing across in the colder months.

Just because the road is open, it doesn’t mean it will be an easy drive.  

Have a question or comment about something in this article? Contact our staff here. You may also contact our editorial team at info@thesmokies.com.