The best colors are at elevations below 3,500’. Good color should continue in the valleys and lower elevations into the first week of November.
Good places to see fall color include Tremont Road, Deep Creek area, Foothills Parkway East and West, Greenbrier, Little River Road, Lake View Drive, and Cades Cove.
Suggested hikes: Rich Mountain Loop, Chestnut Top Trail, Huskey Gap, Little River Trail, Smokemont Loop, Old Settlers Trail, and Deep Creek Trail.
Traffic should be lighter this week than last. The elk rut is still going on in North Carolina.
October 26
Appalachian Trail (From Newfound Gap to Sweat Heifer Creek Trail) – Almost all foliage has fallen – very little colorful foliage.
Sweat Heifer Creek Trail (B-E) – First mile not a lot of colorful foliage – last 2.7 miles has very brilliant foliage – at peak – Lots of yellow and bright red, orange, gold and pink foliage scattered about beside the trail and on the surrounding ridges.
Kephart Prong Trail (B to Kephart Shelter) – Mostly bright yellow foliage with a few red and gold foliage – foliage at peak.
US 441 (From Kephart Trailhead to Newfound Gap) – Foliage at peak most of the way to Newfound Gap. A lot of bright yellow foliage with a good amount of bright red, orange and gold foliage scattered along the road and on the surrounding ridges. Also, there is some pink foliage.
US 441 (Newfound Gap and down to Alum Cave Bluff Trailhead) – Much of the foliage has fallen. Still, some scattered nice colorful foliage.
US 441 (Alum Cave Bluffs to Sugarlands Visitor Center) – Foliage display at peak – very beautiful even with the rain – Mostly yellow foliage with some red, orange, gold and pink foliage.
Little River Road (From Sugarlands Visitor Center to Elkmont) – Very nice foliage – mostly yellows with decent amount of red, orange, gold and pink foliage. The Sumac coming up Fighting Creek Ridge is especially bright and beautiful.
Little River Road (From Elkmont to the Sinks) – Foliage at peak – very brilliant – mostly yellow foliage with some red, orange, gold and pink foliage.
Little River Road (From the Sinks to the Wye) – Foliage appears slightly beyond the peak – mostly yellow leaves with some red, orange, gold and pink foliage.
NOTE: HIGH WINDS PREDICTED TOMORROW (TUESDAY) IN THE PARK. OF COURSE THAT COULD RESULT IN MUCH OF THE FOLIAGE FALLING.
The lower elevations are a patchwork quilt of hues with some areas near peak while others remain mostly green. Look for colors to advance rapidly now with a lowland peak from October 26 through early November. Suggested hikes include Rich Mountain Loop, Deep Creek Trail, Thomas Divide Trail, Middle Prong Trail, Smokemont Loop Trail, and Little River Trail.
Traffic on Saturday and Sunday afternoons and evenings will be extremely heavy on Newfound Gap Road and Cades Cove Loop Road through October 27. At these times motorists would be wise to seek other destinations such as Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail, the Blue Ridge Parkway, Foothills Parkway East and West, Tremont Road, and the Deep Creek area. Or travel early in the day.
October 17
Fall colors are at or past peak at the highest elevations of the Great Smoky Mountains right now. Yellow birch, American beech, pin cherry, witch-hobble, and mountain maple are all showing good color. A few maples are showing brilliant reds. Yet most foliage is still green below elevations of 2,500’. This week’s colors seem to be especially brilliant at elevations between 3,000-5,000 feet.
Good places to see fall color include Newfound Gap Road, Clingmans Dome Road, the Blue Ridge Parkway, and Heintooga Ridge Road to Balsam Mountain Campground. Suggested hikes: Thomas Divide Trail, the Appalachian Trail to Charlies Bunion, Sweat Heifer Trail, the spruce-fir self-guiding nature trail, Gregory Bald Trail, and Mt. Cammerer.
At the lower elevations, sunny days and cold nights are moving fall colors right along. Blackgum, dogwood, sumacs, and sourwood trees continue to show vivid reds. Golds are coming along on black walnut, birch, beech, and hickories. The peak of color at the lower elevations will likely be at the end of October and last into early November. Suggested hikes: Rich Mountain Loop, Chestnut Top Trail, Smokemont Loop, and Deep Creek Trail.
Traffic will be very heavy on Newfound Gap Road and Cades Cove Loop Road over the two weeks. Allow extra time for your travels, or visit less-busy areas of the park such as Deep Creek, Big Creek, Twentymile, Cosby, Fontana, and the Foothills Parkway.
October 6
Not many trees have changed much on Lead Cove Trail – some Beech, Frazer Magnolia, Virginia Creeper, Red Maple, Sourwood and Tulip Poplar. Bote Mountain, from Lead Cove Trail to Finely Cane Trail, first 3/4 mile down from the Lead Cove Trail sections have brilliant red Sourwood and Red Maple. There are some nice displays of Blueberry, Sugar Maple, Sassafras, Scarlet Oak and Beech.
October 4
An unusual early October soaking rain has eliminated the threat of a drought-shortened fall color season in the Great Smoky Mountains. Rarely has there been such a lush and verdant fall! Colors are now at peak at the very highest elevations of the national park. Yellow birch and American beech trees are sporting rich golds and yellows. These colors are punctuated by reds from fire cherry, sugar maple, witch hobble, and sumac. Barring high winds, this high elevation peak should last into mid October.
Along Little River Road, and elsewhere at the lower elevations, early-changing species like blackgum, sourwood, dogwood, sumac, black walnut, buckeye, and Virginia creeper are showing color.
This is a great time to take a drive on Clingmans Dome Road, the Blue Ridge Parkway, or Balsam Mountain Road. Little River and Laurel Creek roads also offer pleasant fall scenery. A hike to Andrews Bald on Forney Ridge Trail or along the Appalachian Trail to Charlies Bunion would be time well spent.
Look for peak color at the lower and mid-elevations at the end of October and into early November. This week’s expected weather pattern of sunny days and cool nights should usher in a spectacular fall color season in the Smokies.
September 30
Fall colors are now at peak at the very highest elevations of Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Yellow birch and American beech trees are sporting rich golds and yellows. These colors are punctuated by reds from fire cherry, sugar maple, witch hobble and sumac. Barring high winds, this high elevation peak should last into the first week of October.
Along Little River Road and elsewhere at the lower elevations, early-changing species like blackgum, sourwood, dogwood, sumac, black walnut, buckeye and Virginia creeper are showing color.
This is a great time to take a drive on Clingmans Dome Road, the Blue Ridge Parkway and Balsam Mountain Road. Little River and Laurel Creek roads also offer pleasant fall scenery. A hike to Andrews Bald on Forney Ridge Trail or along the Appalachian Trail to Charlies Bunion would be time well spent.
Look for peak color at the lower and mid-elevations in late October and early November. Thus far, a nice blend of cool nights and sunny days, with periods of gentle rain, could portend a spectacular fall season in the Smokies.
September 25
At long last, it’s fall color time in the Great Smoky Mountains! The highest elevations are now showing rich golds from yellow birch and American beech trees and some reds from maples. The peak of fall colors at the highest elevations should be September 28-October 5.
Along Little River Road, and elsewhere at the lower elevations, early-changing species like blackgum, sourwood, dogwood, sumac, black walnut, buckeye, and Virginia creeper are showing color.
This is a great time to take a drive on Clingmans Dome Road, the Blue Ridge Parkway, or Balsam Mountain Road. Little River and Laurel Creek roads also offer pleasant fall scenery. A hike to Andrews Bald on Forney Ridge Trail or along Thomas Divide Trail would be time very well spent.
Look for peak color at the lower and mid-elevations in late October and early November. The elk rut is also well underway. The best places to witness this are Cataloochee valley and the fields near Oconaluftee Visitor Center.
ALERT: If the federal government fails to pass a continuing budget resolution, Great Smoky Mountains National Park and 400 other National Park Service sites will be closed indefinitely effective October 1.
September 18
Fall colors are coming on strong at the highest elevations in the park. On Clingmans Dome Road (elevation 5,050’ – 6,300’), yellow birch trees are showing good color. Fire cherry trees and witch hobble shrubs have also changed to red and burgundy. The peak of fall color at the highest elevations is expected to be the last week of September.
At the lower elevations, along Little River Road (Gatlinburg area) and Lake View Drive (Bryson City area), early changers are just starting to show fall color. There are some golds from birches, tuliptrees, and yellow buckeyes and some reds from sourwoods, blackgums, dogwoods, and Virginia creepers.
Parkwide, the peak of fall colors generally occurs between late October and early November.
September 14
A late-summer dry spell has caused a few trees to get a head start on their fall color change. Scattered tuliptrees, sourwoods, and some maples are already showing patches of autumn hues.
Sourwood trees on the drier slopes and Virginia creeper vines are showing nice reds now. Witch-hobble leaves at the higher elevations are burgundy. A smattering of dogwood trees has begun the change. Blackgum trees will soon be blushing red. Fruits, such as the fuchsia seedpods of magnolia trees, are now conspicuous.
By late September look for more color at the higher elevations as American beech and yellow birch trees transition to gold. Early changers at the lower elevations like sourwood, blackgum, dogwood, yellow buckeye, sumacs, and tuliptree should then be near peak toward the end of the month. Parkwide, the peak of fall colors generally occurs between late October and early November.
The elk rut is now in full swing. Good places to see elk include Cataloochee Valley and the fields around Oconaluftee Visitor Center. Approaching elk or bear closer than 50 yards is strictly prohibited. Some fields will be closed to the public during the rut.
August 25
Although it’s only late August, the first signs of autumn are appearing here and there in the Great Smoky Mountains. Along the Appalachian Trail and on Mount Le Conte, hobblebush (a shrub) is turning a deep burgundy color. At least two maples along Newfound Gap Road (U.S. 441) are showing early signs of red, as well. Lower down, a few yellow buckeye trees are showing bright red leaves.
By mid-September, early changers like sourwood, blackgum, and dogwood trees will be showing their fall hues. Fall colors usually reach their peak in early October in the park’s high country and during late October or early November at the lower and mid-elevations.
Mid-October is a very busy time in the area. Those wishing to plan a fall color trip that avoids some of the heaviest crowds often visit at the very end of October or in early November.
The Great Smokies Welcome Center is located on U.S. 321 in Townsend, TN, 2 miles from the west entrance to Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Visitors can get information about things to see and do in and around the national park and shop from a wide selection of books, gifts, and other Smokies merchandise. Daily, weekly, and annual parking tags for the national park are also available.
