As the crisp air rolls in and the days grow shorter, the Great Smoky Mountains prepare for their most spectacular annual event: the dazzling display of fall foliage. The blue-hued peaks transform into a fiery canvas of crimson, gold, and orange, drawing millions of visitors each year to witness this natural wonder.
To help you navigate this stunning seasonal spectacle, we’ve put together a guide to the top five Smoky Mountains fall drives. Each route offers a unique perspective on the autumn landscape, from soaring mountain vistas to peaceful, creekside cruises. We’ve also included information on the best scenic overlooks, peaceful picnic spots, and fantastic hiking trails along each route to make your trip planning a breeze.
Drive Newfound Gap Road
Newfound Gap Road (US-441) is the quintessential scenic drive through the heart of Great Smoky Mountains National Park, especially during autumn. The approximately 31-mile-long road connects Gatlinburg, Tennessee, and Cherokee, North Carolina, and lets you journey through diverse forest ecosystems.
As you ascend from the valley floor, you’ll pass through a variety of changing landscapes—from the rich cove hardwood forests at lower elevations to the pine-oak and northern hardwood forests higher up, finally reaching the evergreen spruce-fir forest at the 5,046-foot summit of Newfound Gap. Traffic can be heavy during peak fall foliage season, but the journey is worth it for the stunning vistas and the crisp mountain air.
Scenic Overlook:
Clingmans Dome: Reached via Kuwohi Road off Newfound Gap Road, this landmark features a handicap-accessible observation tower famous for its panoramic views of the Smokies.
Picnic Spots:
Chimneys Picnic Area: Open through December 1st; picnic facilities in heavily forested area (plenty of shade) by Little Pigeon River; charcoal grills available.
Collins Creek Picnic Area: Open through late October; picnic facilities in wooded area by a creek; charcoal grills available.
Check the official National Parks Service website for road and picnic site closure information.
Hikes:
- Alum Cave Trail: 4.4 miles round-trip to Alum Cave Bluffs; moderate to strenuous with over 1,100 ft. elevation gain; family friendly for older kids.
- Chimney Tops Trail: 3.3 to 3.8 miles round-trip; strenuous with elevation gain of almost 1,500 feet; family friendly for older kids.
- Appalachian Trail: hike as little or as far as you’d like along this famous trail that spans more than 2,100 miles; rugged with large elevation gains; family friendly for older kids.
- Andrews Bald Trail: 3.5 miles round-trip off Clingman Dome’s road; moderate hike to the grassy bald with 360-degree views; family friendly.
Foothills Parkway Fall Foliage
For a jaw-dropping fall drive without the crowds, cruise the Foothills Parkway. The parkway is an ongoing project to create a 72-mile scenic drive around the northern edge of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Currently, two main sections are open to the public, providing a unique perspective from the “foothills” of the layered, blue-hued ridges of the Smokies from a distance.
The western section, stretching from Chilhowee Lake to Wears Valley, is the most popular part of the drive. It features numerous pull-offs and dramatic overlooks, including the “Missing Link” with its series of impressive bridges. The eastern section, a shorter 5.6-mile stretch from Cosby to Interstate 40, offers incredible views of the eastern Smokies, including Mount Cammerer. As with other park drives, the fall colors descend from the highest elevations to the lowest, making the Foothills Parkway a great option for viewing the vibrant display throughout October and into early November.
Scenic Overlook:
Look Rock: This natural observation ledge boasts a 360-degree panoramic view of the Smokies. From here, you can take the half-mile trail to the Look Rock Tower and climb it for even more incredible views.
Picnic Spots:
Look Rock Picnic Area: Located by Look Rock; providing partially shaded picnic tables; open through late October.
Hikes:
Look Rock Tower Trail: 1 mile round-trip (out and back to the observation tower); easy paved path with gentle incline; very family friendly (good for strollers).
Cades Cove Loop Road in the Fall:
The Cades Cove Loop Road is a legendary 11-mile, one-way scenic drive that circles a picturesque valley surrounded by mountains. Unlike the drives that climb high into the mountains, this road offers a different kind of fall spectacle. Instead of dramatic, long-range vistas, you’ll explore the valley floor, with the mountains serving as a rugged backdrop.
As you meander through the valley, you’ll be surrounded by a kaleidoscope of autumn colors and historic homesteads. Keep an eye out for wildlife like black bears and deer wandering through the golden fields. You can find a peaceful spot at the Cades Cove Picnic Area to refuel before hitting one of the many trails for a closer look at the fall foliage. Due to its immense popularity, especially in the fall, traffic can be very slow, so it’s best to plan for a leisurely tour, often taking two to four hours or more.
Scenic Overlook:
Cades Cove Overlook: This is a popular spot for visitors to stop for panoramic views of Cades Cove and the surrounding mountains.
Picnic Spots:
Cades Cove Picnic Area: Located at the entrance/exit to the loop, this picnic area offers dozens of picnic tables, charcoal grills, and access to meandering brooks.
Hikes:
Abrams Falls Trail: 5 miles out-and-back to a scenic waterfall; moderate with gentle climbs and descents and rocky sections; family friendly for older children (due to length); one of the park’s most popular hikes.
Cades Cove Nature Trail: 2 miles round-trip; easy, relatively flat trail that’s family friendly for all ages.
Rich Mountain Loop: a 3.4-mile-long trail often combined with the Indian Grave Gap and Crooked Arm Ridge trails for a more strenuous and secluded 8.7 round-trip hike; elevation gain of approximately 1,700 feet; not family friendly.
Explore Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail:
The Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail is a ] 5.5-mile, one-way loop road just outside of Gatlinburg. This road takes you through a lush, old-growth forest, right beside the rushing waters of the Roaring Fork stream, from which it gets its name. You can pull over to see the famous Place of a Thousand Drips waterfall right from the roadside.
In the fall, the road is a tunnel of color, with brilliant autumn leaves canopying overhead and a vibrant understory. The trail is renowned for its waterfalls, historic buildings, and peaceful atmosphere. Because it’s a narrow, winding road, RVs and buses are not permitted, which helps maintain its secluded feel.
Scenic Overlook:
There are two scenic overlooks along the first portion of the road, but this ride’s emphasis is to immerse you in the colorful forest rather than high along the ridgelines.
Hikes:
Rainbow Falls Trail: 5.4 miles round-trip; very popular hike leading to an 80-foot waterfall; moderate to strenuous with 1,500 feet of elevation gain; better for adults and families with older children.
Grotto Falls Trail: 2.6 miles round-trip that takes you to a waterfall that you can walk behind; moderate with some rocky sections; unique family-friendly adventure.
Baskins Creek Falls Trail: 3 miles round-trip that feels like a more secluded hiking experience to a two-tiered waterfall; moderate with the return hike being mostly uphill; family friendly.
Fall Drives on the Blue Ridge Parkway:
The Blue Ridge Parkway isn’t located within the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, but its southern terminus connects to it, making it an essential part of any fall visit to the region. This 469-mile scenic drive known as “America’s Favorite Drive” winds through the mountains of North Carolina and Virginia.
The Parkway’s higher elevations, often above 5,000 feet, make it a prime location for witnessing the beginning of the fall color change, which often starts in late September. As you drive, you’ll be treated to a seemingly endless series of long-range, panoramic views of the Appalachian Mountains. The Parkway’s design, with a maximum speed limit of 45 mph, is intended to be a leisurely journey, allowing drivers to fully soak in the beauty. There are numerous overlooks, picnic areas, and trailheads, each offering a unique perspective of the autumnal landscape.
Scenic Overlooks:
Waterrock Knob (Milepost 451.2): This overlook is known for its panoramic, 360-degree views from its high elevation of 6,292 feet. A short, but steep, hike leads to the summit, providing a stunning viewpoint for both sunrises and sunsets.
Richland Balsam Overlook (Milepost 431): As the highest point on the entire Blue Ridge Parkway at 6,053 feet, this overlook provides expansive views of the surrounding mountains and is a great spot to see the unique spruce-fir forests of the area.
Hikes (near the Smoky Mountains):
The Parkway is a hiker’s paradise, with countless trails to choose from. Here are a few notable ones near the Great Smoky Mountains National Park entrance.
Waterrock Knob: Approximately 1.2 miles round-trip that’s a short, but steep hike to a viewpoint; moderate with a consistent, significant uphill climb to the summit; family friendly.
Graveyard Fields Loop: Approximately 3.3 miles round-trip for the main loop that leads to two waterfalls and a colorful valley; moderate with some rocky, root-filled sections; family friendly.
Rough Ridge Trail: 1.5 miles round-trip to the famous boardwalk offering iconic Smoky Mountain views; moderate with rocky and steep sections; family friendly.
Peak Fall Foliage Forecast
The beauty of the Great Smoky Mountains’ fall foliage is its long duration, thanks to the wide range of elevations. The color change is a gradual process that sweeps down the mountains.
- Late September to Early October: Colors begin to pop at the highest elevations (above 4,000 feet), such as Clingmans Dome and Newfound Gap. This is the time to head for the high-altitude vistas.
- Mid-to-Late October: The most awe-inspiring display is often found at mid-elevations (2,500 to 4,000 feet). This is generally considered the peak period for the park as a whole, with vibrant sugar maples, scarlet oaks, and hickories. Areas like the Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail and sections of the Foothills Parkway will be at their best.
- Late October to Early November: The color continues to blaze at the lower elevations, including the Cades Cove Loop and the areas around the park’s entrances. This is a great time to visit if you want to avoid the peak season’s heaviest crowds.
It’s important to note that these are general estimates, and the exact timing can vary year to year based on weather conditions like temperature and rainfall. For the most up-to-date information, check the official Great Smoky Mountains National Park website or their social media channels for real-time foliage reports.
What to Pack for Hiking in the Smokies
- Layers are Key: The weather in the Smokies can change dramatically throughout the day and with every increase in elevation. Pack a variety of layers, including a moisture-wicking base layer, a fleece or insulated mid-layer, and a waterproof or water-resistant rain jacket. Even if the sun is out, the mountaintops can be cool and windy.
- Sturdy Footwear: Whether you’re planning a serious hike or just a stroll to an overlook, a good pair of waterproof hiking shoes or boots is essential. The trails can be rocky and muddy, especially after a recent rain.
- Essentials: Don’t forget a daypack to carry water, snacks, a map, and a small first-aid kit. A camera, binoculars for wildlife viewing, and a portable phone charger are also great to have.
Preparing for Scenic Drives in the Smokies
- Park Entrance & Fees: There is no fee to enter the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. However, a parking tag is now required for any vehicle parked for more than 15 minutes. Daily ($5), weekly ($15), and annual ($40) tags are available for purchase online or at visitor centers and automated machines.
- Road Closures: Before you head out, always check the park’s official website for current road conditions and closures. High-elevation roads like Clingmans Dome Road close seasonally from late November to late March, but can also close temporarily due to weather or maintenance issues. Popular roads like the Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail are also subject to seasonal closures.
- Traffic: Fall is the busiest season in the park, and traffic can be extremely heavy, especially on weekends in October. Plan for a slow, leisurely pace, and be prepared for potential delays. It’s best to start your day early to beat the crowds, or consider a weekday visit if possible.
Conclusion
No matter which drive you choose, a fall trip to the Smoky Mountains promises an unforgettable experience. From the high-altitude panoramas of Newfound Gap and the Blue Ridge Parkway to the intimate forest journey on the Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail, each route offers a distinct way to immerse yourself in the season’s vibrant colors. So, grab your keys, pack your camera, and get ready to create lasting memories on these scenic fall drives in the Smokies.