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 â depending on what part of the state you’re visiting â may include oak trees, hickories, maples, American beech and hobblebush â 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 that we’ve 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 go to get the best views of the mountains during the fall season.
IN THIS ARTICLE
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).
- Anderson County: Oct 24
- Bedford County: Oct. 31
- Benton County: Oct. 31
- Bledsoe County: Oct. 28
- Blount County: Nov. 13
- Bradley County: Oct. 31
- Campbell County: Oct. 28
- Cannon County: Oct. 24
- Carroll County: Oct. 31
- Carter County: Oct 24
- Cheatham County: Oct. 28
- Chester County: Nov. 2
- Claiborne County: Oct. 24
- Clay County: Oct. 24
- Cocke County: Oct. 28
- Coffee County: Oct. 28
- Crockett County: Nov 1
- Cumberland County: Oct. 28
- Davidson County: Nov. 7
- Decatur County: Oct. 30
- DeKalb County: Oct. 24
- Dickson County: Oct. 31
- Dyer County: Nov. 5
- Fayette County: Nov. 7
- Fentress County: Oct. 24
- Franklin County: Oct. 30
- Gibson County: Oct. 30
- Giles County: Oct. 29
- Grainger County: Oct. 24
- Greene County: Oct. 24
- Grundy County: Oct. 18
- Hamblen County: Oct. 29
- Hamilton County: Nov. 9
- Hancock County: Oct. 24
- Hardeman County: Nov. 1
- Hardin County: Nov. 5
- Hawkins County: Oct. 28
- Haywood County: Nov. 7
- Henderson County: Nov. 3
- Henry County: Oct. 24
- Hickman County: Oct. 29
- Houston County: Oct. 31
- Humphreys County: Nov. 9
- Jackson County: Nov. 5
- Jefferson County: Nov. 1
- Johnson County: Oct. 7
- Knox County: Nov. 5
- Lake County: Nov. 6
- Lauderdale County: Nov. 6
- Lawrence County: Oct. 29
- Lewis County: Oct. 28
- Lincoln County: Nov. 4
- Loudon County: Nov. 5
- Macon County: Nov. 4
- Madison County: Nov. 6
- Marion County: Nov. 4
- Marshall County: Oct. 24
- Maury County: Oct. 28
- McMinn County: Oct. 29
- McNairy County: Nov. 4
- Meigs County: Oct. 24
- Monroe County: Nov. 1
- Montgomery County: Nov. 3
- Moore County: Oct. 28
- Morgan County: Oct. 31
- Obion County: Oct. 30
- Overton County: Oct. 28
- Perry County: Oct. 28
- Pickett County: Oct. 24
- Polk County: Oct. 31
- Putnam County: Oct. 24
- Rhea County: Nov. 3
- Roane County: Nov. 4
- Robertson County: Nov. 1
- Rutherford County: Oct. 29
- Scott County: Oct. 15
- Sequatchie County: Nov. 13
- Sevier County: Oct. 30
- Shelby County: Nov. 17
- Smith County: Nov. 1
- Stewart County: Nov. 1
- Sullivan County: Oct. 28
- Sumner County: Nov. 3
- Tipton County: Nov. 5
- Trousdale County: Nov. 2
- Unicoi County: Oct. 24
- Union County: Oct. 29
- Van Buren County: Nov. 9
- Warren County: Nov. 9
- Washington County: Oct. 24
- Wayne County: Oct. 24
- Weakley County: Nov. 3
- White County: Oct. 24
- Williamson County: Nov. 2
- Wilson County: Oct. 30
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 normally 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 youâre driving into Tennessee in late September or early October and youâre 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 wonât see the forest for the trees. The Smokies have thousands of scenic views, historic sites and running streams. And you know what? Theyâre all perfect.
4. Visit one of the smaller local parks
The National Park ainât 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 partially because itâs 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 youâre 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. Letâs get some pancakes.
But, if youâre 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. Itâs a bit of a ride from Gatlinburg or Pigeon Forge, but itâs 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 youâd 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, youâd 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 = 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 donât know, ask somebody. Iâve been riding around these mountains for quite some time and Iâm continually amazed by some view or place Iâve never heard of. Be sure to find a local and ask them what they like. You might hear the same five drives Iâve told you about above, but thereâs a chance they know some holler Iâve never been to.
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The prettiest view I have ever seen was from Pittman Center to Fancy Gap. The views are breathtaking. You think you are driving through a postcard. It is absolutely beautiful. Motor Name Trail is another beautiful place but you have to hit the leaf peak to capture the golden tunnel of leaves you drive through. A few that have already fallen also add to the beauty of the gold. I urge every that enjoy leaf looking to visit other places than just the park, go up Blueridge Parkway and see the real beauty of fall.
We love the mountains ! Been all over and took the blueridge parkway, beautiful in the fall. But one year we left smoky mts. And drove south to the Highlands! Another gorgeous fall drive !
The Cherohala skyway about mid October
There is no greater place in this world than the Great Smokie Mountains.
Cherohala Skyway is a fantastic east to west drive from Robinsville to Telico Plains. Absolutely a must drive in the fall. Happy Vacation y’all đ
So proud this is part of our home state of Tennessee! Always a favorite place to go!