November 1
Lead Cove Trail (B-E): Lots of colorful foliage on this trail. Mostly yellow with some bright red and orange leaves near the beginning of the trail and near the junction of the Bote Mountain Trail.
Bote Mountain Trail (for two miles up the trail from Lead Cove Trail): The first half mile of the trail from Lead Cove (going up the trail) has some nice yellow, red and orange foliage. Some really vibrant Sugar Maple, Sourwood and Red Maple leaves featured on the first half mile. From that point on, the vast majority of the leaves appear to have fallen already.
October 27
Lumber Ridge Trail: The area west of the Townsend Wye is now predominantly past peak and much of the colorful foliage has fallen. There is still a decent display in the draws which are best seen while hiking. Lumber Ridge Trail is accessed via Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont—after driving across a narrow bridge look for a small parking lot on the right.
Breakdown by tree variety:
Tree | Quantity/Notes |
Blueberry | Past peak, only a few colorful leaves left |
Greenbrier | Past peak, only a few colorful leaves left |
Hickory | Past peak, some colorful leaves left |
Mountain Maple | Many with pale yellow leaves, though not outstanding color |
Red Maple | Past peak, some few colorful leaves left |
Sassafras | Past peak, only a few colorful leaves left |
Scarlet Oak | Past peak, only a few colorful leaves left |
Sourwood | Past peak, though many still have colorful foliage |
Sweet Gum | Past peak, very few colorful leaves left |
Tulip | Past peak, only a few yellow leaves left |
October 25
Mount Cammerer Trail: Though a large number of leaves have already fallen— and most of the foliage is beyond peak season—what remains is beautiful and worth the trip. To peep leaves from your vehicle, follow 32 from the TN/NC border heading West towards Cosby (exit 451 from I-40). Suggested hiking trails: The Lower Mount Cammerer Trail is a strenuous round-trip hike of more than 11 miles that begins at the Cosby Campground and summits at Mount Cammerer. The 360-degree views from the wood and stone firetower make it worthwhile.
Breakdown by tree variety:
Tree | Quantity/Notes |
Beech | Many very colorful leaves |
Greenbrier | Some with colorful leaves |
Hickory | Some with colorful leaves |
Mountain Maple | Right at peak, many trees with pale yellow leaves |
Red Maple | Past peak, some still have foliage |
Sassafras | Some with decent foliage |
Scarlet Oak | Right at peak, a few with colorful foliage |
Sourwood | Various stages along the trail, a good number with colorful leaves |
Sugar Maple | Various stages along the trail, many with colorful leaves |
Tulip | Past peak, only some still have foliage |
October 23
West Prong Trail: The section of Great Smoky Mountains National Park between the Townsend Visitor Center and Tremont features colorful foliage that has not yet reached its peak. When entering the park, take a right at the Townsend Wye onto Laurel Creek Rd, and a left onto Tremont Rd shortly after. Suggest hiking trails: The West Prong Trail is a 5 mile out and back trail along a creek. It can be accessed from Tremont Road just before the entrance to Great Smoky Mountain Institute at Tremont.
Breakdown by tree variety:
Tree | Quantity/Notes |
Beech | Many colorful leaves, nice display |
Hickory | Some colorful leaves |
Red Maple | Some with colorful foliage |
Sourwood | Very outstanding, bright foliage. Mostly red but some orange, pink, yellow |
Sugar Maple | Some with nice colorful leaves |
October 21
Rabbit Creek Trail: Abrams Creek ranger station is accessed from Happy Valley Road in Tallahasee, TN. Much of the foliage in the lower elevation is somewhat dull and faded, with blotchy color, so drivers would do best to stick to the Foothills Parkway where there is higher elevation. Suggested hiking trails: Rabbit and Abrams Creeks loop trail is a 16.5 mile hike that offers 3,113 ft elevation gain and occasional creek crossing. Will intersect with Abrams Falls trailhead near the Cades Cove loop.
Breakdown by tree variety:
Tree | Quantity/Notes |
Blueberry | Some colorful leaves in the higher elevations |
Red Maple | Some colorful leaves in the higher elevations |
Sassafras | A few with colorful foliage |
Sugar Maple | A few with colorful foliage |
Sourwood | Many trees with brilliant foliage in the higher elevations |
Hannah Mountain Trail: Heading south on Parson Branch Rd. from the Cades Cove Visitor Center there is some colorful foliage— pay special mind to the Sourwood trees which are showing brilliant colors right now. Turn right onto US 129 and drive 4.7 until you reach Tail of the Dragon scenic lookout, offering panoramic views of the Great Smoky Mountains and Calderwood Lake. Suggested hiking trails: Hannah Mountain Trail is a 5.5 mile out and back trail accessed from Abrams Creek ranger station/Rabbit Trail. Offers a steady climb on one of the nicest trail surfaces in the Smokies.
Breakdown by tree variety:
Tree | Quantity/Notes |
Beech | Some nice foliage |
Blueberry | Most are dull in color, but there are few bright colored ones |
Mountain Maple | A few with colorful foliage |
Red maple | Some with colorful foliage |
Sassafras | Some with decent foliage |
Sugar Maple | A few with colorful foliage |
Sourwood | Many with brilliant foliage—reds, oranges, pinks, yellows, and in-between |
October 12
Newfound Gap Road: Heading south on 441 (from park headquarters in Gatlinburg toward the Chimneys), colorful foliage is scattered throughout, though not in abundance. That quickly changes, however, once you pass the Chimneys picnic area heading to Newfound Gap on the Tennessee side of the park—brilliant yellows, sharp oranges and some vibrant reds. The beauty that is along 441 near the Chimneys is beyond words—New England foliage pales in comparison to the Smokies this year. Hopefully the weather front coming through Monday doesn’t blow too many leaves down. Highly suggest driving 441 north of the Tennessee/North Carolina border within the next few days to experience the colors of peak fall foliage. Suggested hiking trails—Chimney Tops Trail, Alum Cave Bluffs
Little River Road: Some sections along Old State Highway 73 Scenic, between Elkmont and The Sinks in Gatlinburg, have a lot of colorful foliage and will be reaching peak display soon. Recommend exploring this area within the next week. Suggested hiking trails—Curry Mountain Trail, Laurel Falls Trail
Breakdown by tree variety:
Tree | Colors | Quantity/Notes |
Beech | Yellow | Many, very colorful |
Sugar Maple | Yellow, orange | Some, mostly yellow |
Red Maple | Red | Some |
Witch Hobble | Red, orange, yellow, pink | Vibrant colors, the star of the show on this section of the A.T. |
October 9
Chestnut Top Trail: The leaves in this section of the park are only just starting to change, though some of the red blueberry leaves have already begun to fade. Chestnut Top Trail is a strenuous 8.6-mile roundtrip hike located in Townsend off of Little River Road/Old State Highway 73 Scenic. The parking area is located on the east side, 100 yards north of the Townsend Wye. If you prefer to observe the foliage from your vehicle, we suggest following Laurel Creek Road south from Townsend Wye. There are pullout parking areas along the way.
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.
