10 Ways To See the Smoky Mountains in the Fall

Fall is the best time to visit the Smoky Mountains. The air is cool and crisp and towns are adorned with fall decorations. The trees are also on display with different arrays of yellow, orange and red. Countless people visit the mountains to see the beautiful fall foliage each year. So if you’re looking for a few additional activities to do while you’re in town, you’re in luck. There are several options for attractions and fun things to do in the Smoky Mountains in the fall. But remember, operating dates and attraction hours tend to change rapidly in the Smokies. Before planning any of the following activities, be sure to confirm times and availability with the individual attraction.

1. Celebrate the Fall Festival at Ober

Every year, Ober Mountain (formerly known as Ober Gatlinburg) puts on a fall celebration. This year’s celebration will run from Sept. 27 to Oct. 20, 2024 There will be a hay maze and more, specialty food options and a giant pumpkin carving. And if you kickstart the adventure with a ride up the Aerial Tramway, booking ahead of time with Tripster can save you a few bucks. Visit the website to learn more.

2. Enjoy a scenic drive

Let me share a few of my favorite routes that offer breathtaking views and the chance to see some wildlife like black bears and deer in the Smoky Mountains. First, let’s talk about the Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail. The Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail begins just off the main drag in Gatlinburg. To access it, follow the signs near traffic light 8 in Gatlinburg. The ten-mile round-trip is close and convenient. It features a curvy road that follows a stream up the mountains. Best of all, you can enjoy the beauty without getting out of the car or you can pull over. If you want, you can hike for a few miles to see some of the most gorgeous waterfalls in the country.

Next, we have the Foothills Parkway. Driving on the Foothills Parkway is like driving through a brochure. The Parkway travels from Walland in the west to Cosby in the east. If you have time, pack some snacks and take in the entire stretch of the road. Finally, the scenic drive on Newfound Gap Road starts at the Sugarlands Visitor Center and ends at the Mountain Farm Museum in North Carolina. At 5,046 feet, the Newfound Gap is the lowest drivable pass through the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

3. Visit Dollywood’s Harvest Festival

Once a year, Dollywood gets a makeover for its seasonal Smoky Mountain Harvest Festival presented by Humana, and the Great Pumpkin LumiNights presented by Covenant Health. Features include a melody from Dolly’s giant, glowing guitar, and a 40-ft pumpkin tree. And of course, no Harvest Festival is complete without event-exclusive treats that feature flavors of pumpkins, cinnamon and apples. This year’s event is running now to Oct. 28, 2024. You can purchase admission tickets ahead of time on Tripster.

4. Enjoy leaf peeping at Anakeesta

When the temperature drops and the leaves change, Anakeesta is one of the most beautiful places in the Smoky Mountains. Certainly, it offers the best of the fall season. Anakeesta offers 360-degree panoramic mountain views and plenty of spots to sit back, relax and take in the scenery. This year, the park is offering a Bear-Varian Fall Festival, which will run from Sept. 13 through Oct. 31, 2024. Visitors will see fall decor throughout the park as well as drink specials and craft beer from local and regional breweries.

Pro tip: It can be a bit chilly in higher elevations, so bring a sweater or jacket with you for when the sun goes down. Anakeesta is located in Gatlinburg, Tenn. Check Tripster for discounted tickets and skip the ticket line when you arrive.

5. Take a scenic hike

If you’ve come to the mountains and aren’t seeing the fall colors that you’d hoped for, try exploring in the higher elevations. The best way to reach the highest elevations is by taking a scenic hike. If you want to get to the highest point, consider visiting Kuwohi, formerly Clingmans Dome. It is the highest summit in the Great Smoky Mountains, and the road to the observation tower is open through late November, weather permitting.

Additionally, Baskins Creek Falls Trail is another great option. It’s less well-known compared to other falls in the area. It’s a moderately difficult hike that is three miles with an elevation gain of 953 feet. The trailhead is located on the Motor Nature Trail just outside of Gatlinburg. If you’re looking for a more simple trial, the Little River Trail is a relatively moderate hike that has a gentle grade that parallels the Little River.

6. Go horseback riding

Dozens of stables in the Smokies offer guided horseback riding. The cost of riding can sometimes surpass theme park admissions. But the memories you make will be priceless! Check out this list for some of the best places to try horseback riding in the Smokies.

7. Visit the Apple Barn in Sevierville

The Apple Barn in Sevierville offers delicious apple-flavored treats when you want to stay close to the core of activities (apple pun). Take your neighbor some apple butter and we guarantee he’ll forgive the leaves blown over from your yard. And, since it is fall, take a caramel apple (or candied or chocolate) back to the hotel.

If you’re okay with adventuring out of town a little, consider Kyle Carver Orchards, which is located in Cosby. It is about a 20-mile trip from Gatlinburg. The orchards offer great views, at least a dozen varieties of apples and jars, baskets and bags full of treats.

8. Visit a haunted house

If you’re in town around Halloween, you might want to work in a few spooky attractions as well. There are two major haunted houses in the Smokies. The first is Ripley’s Haunted Adventure in Gatlinburg. During October, Ripley’s Haunted Adventure becomes extra-spooky for Fright Nights, which takes place on select nights in October. There is no extra charge for the special experience. But be warned, this event is quite scary and not suitable for young children.

If you plan to do multiple Ripley’s attractions, be sure to check out some combo passes and visit the aquarium as well. The second attraction is Gatlinburg’s Mysterious Mansion. Each year, Gatlinburg’s favorite haunted house turns even spookier during the fall with special presentations on October weekends. Both haunted houses are located in downtown Gatlinburg.

9. Ride a haunted mountain coaster

You’ve heard of haunted houses, haunted mazes and even haunted forests – but have you ever heard of a haunted coaster? Rocky Top Mountain Coaster traditionally offers a spooky Ghosts and Goblins mountain coaster ride that is sure to put you in the spirit of Halloween. For details and dates, follow their social media page.

10. Go apple picking in North Carolina

Apple picking can be one of the most fun activities in the Smokies. I find that some of the best locations are a little further from the heart of the Smokies in Hendersonville, NC. Apple season is usually mid-August to late October. But keep in mind that the orchards have a schedule, and different types of apples ripen throughout the summer and fall.

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

It’s important to remember that elevation plays a big role in color changes around the park. In a high-elevation area, you may see fall colors as early as mid-September. According to the National Park Service, around this time, visitors will see turning colors in yellow birch trees, hobblebush, American beech, mountain maple and pin cherry trees.

In early October, you’ll want to explore elevations of about 4,000 feet. For example, visit Clingmans Dome Road and watch the sunrise or sunset or drive along the Blue Ridge Parkway. Some dogwoods will begin turning around this time. The lower elevations will see some color from mid-October to late October and early November. The NPS says this is where you will see sugar maples, scarlet oaks, sweetgum, red maples and hickories. Also in October, black gum, sumac and sourwood trees will show red while black walnut, beech and hickory trees will be gold.

Finally, early November is generally a good time to visit Cataloochee Valley on the North Carolina side of the mountains. You can also see elk in this area. Of course, the exact dates for peak season can be almost impossible to know, but we can typically look at previous years to predict the Smoky Mountains fall foliage.

PS: Are you planning a trip to the Smoky Mountains? Be sure to check out our coupons page for area promos.