Colors of the Fall in the Great Smoky Mountain National Park

The park usually experiences an autumn leaf season of several weeks as fall colors travel down the mountain sides from high elevation to low. However, the timing of fall color change depends upon so many variables that the exact dates of “peak” season are impossible to predict in advance.

Visit: Fall Color Report

View: Purchase Knob Webcam

View: Look Rock Webcam

If you have never visited the Great Smoky Mountains of Tennessee in the fall, you are missing one of the special times when the foliage of the mountains explodes with color. Because of the diversity of the tree species in the National Park you can see sun-colored yellows, UT-colored oranges (that’s University of Tennessee orange y’all) – red hues that vary from deep maroons to Christmas-colored reds. Of course you will still see the greens of the many species of coniferous trees and smell all of the vibrant and invigorating aromas that Mother Nature produces from her trees, bushes, shrubs and flowers.

This makes the Smoky Mountains one of the great “Leaf-Peepers” regions of the United States, especially in October and November, and it brings out numerous Fall and Craft Festivals. The Gatlinburg Craftsmen’s Fair, the Pigeon Forge Rotary Craft Show, and the Great Smoky Arts & Crafts Community all offer unique, hand-made, Smoky Mountain memories.

Local businesses also decorate with fall designs including pumpkins, mums, scarecrows and unique layouts. And the cities of Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge and Sevierville offer activities like hayrides, arts & craft displays and live entertainment and Dollywood has a Southern Gospel & Harvest Festival. The hundreds of shops and outlet stores in the area offer new fall and winter fashions, unique apparel and souvenirs, great prices and smaller crowds than during the summer.

For indoor entertainment you cannot beat the options in Pigeon Forge, Sevierville and Gatlinburg. The live shows include country, bluegrass, soul music, gospel, comedy, murder-mystery shows, magic, live rock n roll, lumberjacks, equestrians, old time vaudeville productions and dinner theaters. Museum-type attractions, upside-down amusement parks, magic adventures and historical attractions also offer great indoor fun and entertainment. Of course most of the outdoor attraction are still operating and you can probably ride more rides and do more events than in the summer.

So fall into the Smokies and join us for fresh air, beautiful scenery, fun activities, a huge variety of eateries, dozens of choices of accommodations and great Southern Hospitality.