Great Smoky Mountains Fall Foliage
The annual Great Smoky Mountains fall foliage show starts in late September and spreads across the Great Smoky Mountains towards early November. While traveling in the Great Smoky Mountains in the autumn there will always be an opportunity to view scenes of leaves changing colors somewhere. This area is fortunate to have about 6-8 weeks in the autumn to undergo this show of nature as the warm days of summer transition into the cold days of winter. Each year the mountains put on a beautiful show and with all the different elevations in the different mountain regions of North Carolina and Tennessee there are a lot of areas to travel to during October to see the beautiful fall foliage show that nature provides.
Fall Foliage Reports 2023 and Weekly Updates
11/1/2023: Peak colors are still around in the lower elevations of the park. A ride in the Great Smoky Mountains this week will still offer some beautiful views. Especially at the overlooks that offer long-range views. The highest elevations have seen snow and freezing temperatures, the leaves are dead and dropped now. There is still some color to see in the mid-elevations and the lower elevations. Places to see the last of the fall foliage include the areas of Oconaluftee, Cades Cove and Townsend. The Little River Gorge Rd. and Laurel Creek Rd. are still a nice ride to view fall colors as you ride into the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and toward Cades Cove. Cataloochee Valley, Gatlinburg, Bryson City, and Cherokee still have lots of color. The recent cold front brought below-freezing nighttime temperatures. The leaves have already started dropping from the trees. There is still time this week to enjoy the fall colors in the Great Smoky Mountains and nearby areas. The crowds may be a little off by now but the GSMNP still has some pretty views of the fall foliage as November and the holiday season arrive!
10/24/23: Peak color is visible now at the 3000ft elevations in the GSMNP. There is beautiful color to be seen on Clingmans Dome Rd, Newfound Gap Rd, and the Foothills Parkway. Long-range views from the overlooks offer some colorful scenery of the mountains and valleys. The Little River Gorge Rd. and Laurel Creek Rd. are still a nice ride for seeing fall colors this late in October. Another nice ride is Upper Tremont Road. Cherokee Orchard Rd is a nice drive this late in October. Nice color is reported in Cataloochee Valley also. Gatlinburg has developed a lot of fall foliage this week. A ride on Roaring Fork Motor Trail would be a great place to ride through this week. Cades Cove Loop Road is full of fall foliage. Between Pigeon Forge and Wears Valley, 321 is a nice drive with lots of shops to stop and take a break for food, coffee, and gas.
In the lower elevations below 2000′ there is lots of color also. The highest elevations (over 4000 ft) in the GSMs are past peak now. Mt. LeConte Summit and Lodge had a few inches of snow several days ago. Mild temperatures are in the forecast for several more days. The milder temperatures have slowed down the progression of the fall foliage. Which is a good thing, more time to get out and enjoy the views. Next week colder temperatures return with nighttime temps in the 40s.
10/18/2023: Fall foliage is well underway in the Great Smoky Mountains. Yes, it snowed in the highest elevations (over 4,500 ft). Mt. LeConte got 4″ at the lodge. Clingman’s Dome got some snow. There is lots of color in the mid-elevations now. Clingmans Dome, Mount Le Conte, Andrews Bald, Balsam Mountain, and Newfound Gap have all started to color in the 3000 ft elevations. The Cherokee and Maggie Valley portions of the mountains have more fall foliage than the Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge sides so far. The lower elevations (below 2,000ft) in the Smokies have spotty color. Roan Mountains is very colorful. Townsend reports a lot of green still. Peak color can be seen along the Cherohala Skyway south of the GSMNP. Peak is predicted for this weekend and next week in Townsend, Wears Valley, Foothills Parkway, and Cade Cove. Friday rain is in the forecast, followed by several days of mostly sunny skies with temperatures in the 60s.
A ride on 441 Newfound Gap Rd offers long-range views from the overlooks. The overlooks have a great view of fall foliage due to all the different elevations in the distance. Next week the color should progress into areas such as Cataloochee, Gatlinburg, and Cades Cove. A ride on Gatlinburg’s Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail is colorful in late October. The Little River Gorge Rd. and Laurel Creek Rd. are still a nice ride for seeing fall colors in late October. The next 10-14 days will be a great time to visit the Smokies.
10/11/2023: This past weekend temperatures in the highest elevations were near or below freezing. There was also frost in many locations. Many trees in the higher elevations are already starting to drop their leaves or the leaves have turned brown. Color is developing nicely in the 3000ft- 4000ft range. There are reports of nice colors at Roan Mountain and along Newfound Gap Rd (UD 441) through the Smokies. The best places to visit or ride through this week and this weekend include Newfound Gap, Clingmans Dome, Alum Cave Bluff, and Chimney Tops. These locations have views of the highest and mid-elevations in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Color is still developing in many areas below the 4,000 ft elevation. Fall foliage this year is running just a few days behind. This weekend another cold front comes. Rain is also in the forecast. The first of next week daytime temperatures will only be in the 60s. The second and third weeks of October are some of the best days to see widespread color in the park. Areas such as Cades Cove, Tremont, Cataloochee, and a ride on US441 between Gatlinburg and Cherokee will be some great places to visit. Some experts think the fall colors are muted this year. But we are still early in the fall foliage season. The rain and the cooler temperatures should help with the development of color in the coming days. Save a trip to Cades Cove, Gatlinburg, and Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail till later in October. The lower elevations peak about the third and fourth week of October.
10/4/2023: The highest elevations are starting to show some nice color in the Great Smoky Mountains. There is a lot of red, orange and golden yellow from the dogwood, sugar maple and sourwood trees. Other fall foliage changes are starting to take place in the highest mountain elevations (those above 5000 feet). This means areas such as Clingmans Dome, Mount Le Conte, Andrews Bald, Balsam Mountain, and Newfound Gap have all started to slowly show some color. Roan Mountain is starting to have some nice color.
Places to travel to see the fall foliage this week and weekend include Foothills Parkway, Newfound Gap Road (US441), Balsam Mountain Road, Cove Creek Road, and Clingmans Dome Road.
At the end of this week, a cold front moves through the mountains. Overnight temperatures in the highest elevations will be near or at freezing. So the highest elevations may start dropping leaves after this weekend. With all the different elevations in the Great Smokies, a trip during the second and third week of October will result in a nice trip this year. Even late October will have plenty of fall foliage in the lower elevations and surrounding areas like Cades Cove, Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge, and Cherokee.
9/28/2023 It is the last days of September and there is already a hint of color in the Great Smoky Mountains. The predominant color is still green across most of the park, but color changes are beginning to be seen in the higher elevations. It’s been cloudy and cool for several days but warmer temperatures and mild sunny days are forecast for next week. The peak fall foliage timeline for the Great Smoky Mountains is predicted to follow a typical year. The charts and dates below should be a good guideline for when peak fall foliage happens in 2023. Color and peak always appear first in the highest elevations (over 6500′). Gradually, during the month of October, the color spreads down the mountains into the mid-elevations. Toward late October and even into early November the lower elevations (less than 2000′) will peak. From mid-October until early November, there will always be some location to view peak fall foliage in the Great Smoky Mountains!
The first places to look and visit would be Mount LeConte or a drive up to Clingmans Dome. These areas have the highest elevations in the Great Smoky Mountains. These locations will be the first areas to show color. This year the GSMNP had consistent rainfall over the summer months. Now the cool nights and sunny days of early October should result in a display of vibrant color for the fall foliage season. Dogwood trees are already displaying some red and deep purple color. Sugar maples are also showing a hint of color.
Fall foliage colors include red, purple, yellow, gold and orange. The trees with red leaves include dogwoods, sourwoods, oak, sugar maple and shining sumac. Trees with gold and yellow leaves during the fall include tulip poplars, birch, black cherries and hickories.
Here is a link to Great Smoky Mountains Guide webcams. Webcams are a great way to check
the fall foliage progress!
Fall Foliage Predictions For 2023
This year’s fall foliage prediction is a great one. Long-range weather forecasts point to a slightly warmer than usual fall. Slightly warmer temperatures usually mean a delay to the start of our fall foliage season. The areas of East Tennessee and Western North Carolina have had a good amount of rain the last few weeks. There are no drought conditions to mute the colors. There have been no hurricane remnants or bad storms to blow the leaves off the trees prematurely. A warmer September, October and November will be perfect for a great fall foliage season 2023.
Right now the experts say there will be a slight delay in the development of color of about 5 or so days. If a significant cold front should pass through then we are back on track for a normal fall foliage season. The way the long-term weather forecast for East Tennessee and the mountains of NC stand now, the predictions for fall foliage season 2023 look great! Long-range weather forecasts predict partly to mostly sunny days with daytime temperatures in the 70s and nighttime lows in the 50s. Of course, the higher elevations in the mountains will have much colder temperatures. The fall foliage show begins at the highest of elevations as early as late September!
Fall Foliage Reports and Updates 2023 Coming Soon
Fall Foliage and Elevations In The Great Smoky Mountains
Peak colors appear first in the highest elevations (over 5500ft) and work down to the lower elevations. Color changes usually start in late September in the highest elevations and continue to spread color down into the lower elevations of the Great Smoky Mountains well into November. Peak color will be at different times depending on the weather and elevation.
Great Smoky Mountains Fall Foliage 2022
With all the different elevations in the Great Smoky Mountains, there will always be a colorful view somewhere during the month of October and even into November. Enjoy the nearby towns too. Visit Gatlinburg, TN, Pigeon Forge, TN, Cherokee, NC or Bryson City, NC just to name a few!
GSM Fall Color Reports and Weekly Updates for 2022
Fall Foliage In The Great Smoky Mountains
Great Smoky Mountains Fall Foliage 2022
Weather is Key To Peak Color Timing
The key to the start of fall foliage color changes depends on the weather. The most important ingredient for fall foliage is cool air. Cool air is needed to promote the formation of colorful pigments. Also important is enough rain in the weeks and months prior to fall. A dry summer is not good. Next needed is a dry, cool, and sunny autumn (warm days and frostless nights). Frost will kill the leaves and make them die and fall off early.
Fall foliage starts in the highest elevations first and then progresses down to the lower elevations as the month of October progresses. So peak color times happen in the highest elevations (over 5500ft) and work down to the lower elevations. Color changes can start in late September and continue into early November depending on the elevation and the weather.
The highest elevations above 5000 feet peak first about the first 2 weeks of October. These areas include Clingmans Dome, Mount LeConte, Newfound Gap, Andrews Bald, Alum Cave Bluffs, Chimney Tops, Ramsey Cascades and Balsam Mountain.
Elevations in the 2000-3000 feet range peak about mid to late October or even early November. These areas are Cataloochee Valley and Oconalufee.
Cades Cove has an elevation of 1716 ft and will be one of the last areas to show color and peak. The lower elevations of the GSM peak in late October or early November.
Fall in Cades Cove
But the Great Smoky Mountains National Park covers such a large area of land there is always somewhere at peak or near peak. Great Smoky Mountain National Park mountain ranges have elevations from just over 875 feet to 6,643 feet. So a trip to view the fall color show anytime in October will reward you with a spectacular show of color.
Some popular spots to view the fall foliage show in the Great Smoky Mountains are:
Cades Cove
Tremont
Foothills Parkway
Cataloochee Valley (elevation of 2680 ft)
Mt. LeConte (elevation of 6,593 feet and the third highest summit in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park)
Greenbrier
Alum Cave Bluffs
Chimney Tops
Andrews Bald (elevation of 5920 feet)
Clingmans Dome (elevation of 6,643 feet and the highest point in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park)
Newfound Gap Road (elevation of 5,048 feet)
Blue Ridge Parkway
The Great Smoky Mountains and when the fall colors appear
Great Smoky Mountains Fall Foliage
The changes start at the higher elevations (above 5,000 ft.) about the first of October and will work its way down to the lower elevations in late October to early November. The best places to see color are Newfound Gap Road, Cades Cove Loop Road and Little River Road. Great hikes to see the show are Albright Grove and Sugarland Mountain Trail and Andrews Bald or Mt. LeConte at the highest elevations.
Due to the varied elevations of the Great Smoky Mountains, you can always find the best show of color somewhere in the fall months starting in late September, October and lasting through November. The biggest factors involved in the changing colors of the foliage are elevation and weather. The warmer the weather the slower the progression but colder temperatures will speed up the fall foliage show.
The typical best times to plan a trip to view Tennessee’s peak fall foliage would be:
● Northeastern Mountain Regions – First of October to mid-October
● Color Across Middle and Western Tennessee – Peaks from East to West Mid October to Late November
The typical best times to plan a trip to view the Great Smoky Mountains and North Carolina Mountains peak fall foliage would be:
● Western North Carolina Highest Elevations (above 5,000 ft) – Grandfather Mountain, Graveyard Fields, Mount Mitchell. Great Smoky Mountains National Park- Clingmans Dome, Mount LeConte, Andrews Bald. – Late September to First Week of October.
● Western North Carolina Elevations (4,000- 5,000 ft) Mount Pisgah, Devil’s Courthouse, North of Asheville and South of Asheville in Boone, Blowing Rock Highland, Mt. Jefferson. Great Smoky Mountains-Newfound Gap, Alum Cave Bluffs, Chimney Tops. About the Second Week of October.
● Western North Carolina ( 3,000-4,000 ft) – Asheville area North and South. Craggy Gardens, Beech Mountain, Boone, Blowing Rock. In the GSM go to Ramsey Cascades, Cataloochee Valley, Gatlinburg. About the 2nd or 3rd week of October
● Western to Central North Carolina (2,000- 3,000 ft) – The city of Asheville, Biltmore Estate, Sylva, DuPont State Forest. IN the GSM visit Oconaluftee, Cherokee, Cades Cove, Townsend. Mid October to Late October
● Central North Carolina (1,000-2,000 ft)- Chimney Rock, Lake Lure, South Mountain State Park. Late October to Early November
Here is a Map Showing Typical Fall Foliage Peak Colors Time Table in the Great Smoky Mountains
GSM Fall Foliage Map (from Visit My Smokies)
Here is a Map of North Carolina Showing Typical Fall Foliage Peak Colors Time Table
NC Fall Foliage Map (Conceived by Howard Neufeld and Michael Denslow,
Map Constructed by Michael Denslow)
Fall Foliage Coloration Guide Showing What Colors Develop From Different Trees
Fall Foliage Coloration Guide (image by WV Division of Forestry)
Fall foliage and the effects of elevation:
Normally about the very last of September or the first or second week of October the leaves start changing in the highest elevations (above 5000 feet). The second to third-week elevations above 4000 feet start the change. By mid-October the show is well underway and includes the 3000-4000 feet elevation areas. By late October and early November, the lower elevations of 1300 feet are changing. By the second week in November, the peak season and the show are all but past for the mountain regions of North Carolina and Tennessee.
Type of Tree Depends on Color Display!
The type of tree is what determines the color the leaves will turn during the fall foliage season. It is not just a random process. Different types of trees will turn a specific shade during autumn. All the different varieties of trees in the Great Smoky Mountains are what make all the different colors on display during the fall foliage season.
The leaves of these trees will turn a yellow or golden color:
Tulip Poplar, Birch, Black Cherry
The leaves of these trees will turn a red or maroon shade:
Dogwood, Sourwood, Shining Sumac
The leaves of these trees will turn an orange, brown or russet shade:
Hickory and Oak Trees
Different types of Maple trees have their own fall foliage shade:
Sugar Maple leaves turn an orange-red shade.
Black Maple leaves turn a glowing yellow shade.
Red Maple leaves turn a bright scarlet or orange shade.
A General Guide to the Fall Foliage Season for the Great Smoky Mountains
October 4-10
The highest elevations 5,000 to 6,000 feet and above in the Great Smoky Mountains will start to show color first. North of Asheville in North Carolina in the highest elevations above 5,000 feet is where the fall foliage show begins and is where the most color typically occurs. These areas include Clingmans Dome, Mt. LeConte, Newfound Gap, Andrews Bald, Balsam Mountain, Mount Mitchell, Beech Mountain, Craggy Gardens, Grandfather Mountain and Rough Ridge.
October 8-18
Fall foliage color will then start to appear in elevations that are 4,000 to 5000 feet. Areas including the Mount Pisgah, Black Balsam, Devil’s Courthouse, Waterrock Knob and Graveyard Field. Peak color also occurs in this time period for the Highlands area, including Whiteside Mountain and the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Try Alum Cave Bluffs, Chimney Tops or Ramsey Cascades to see colors during these weeks.
October 15-24
In the surrounding mountains of Asheville there is plenty of color in the 3,000-4,000 foot elevation range. A ride north or south on the Blue Ridge Parkway from Asheville will be a beautiful site about this week. A ride through the Pisgah National Forest (Looking Glass Rock or Cradle of Forestry) normally is a great trip. North of Asheville Linville Gorge (Table Rock and Hawksbill Mountain) would be a nice fall foliage hiking trip. Also, Boone, Blowing Rock Stone Mountain Park, Cashiers and Hanging Rock.
October 20-30
In the GSM color will be good at Cataloochee Valley and Oconaluftee. Elevations of 2000 to 3000 feet are showing color by now. The city of Asheville at the 2,000 feet elevation has the peak colors during this time period, as well as areas around Hendersonville and Brevard. DuPont State Forest or the NC Arboretum are great places to enjoy the fall foliage colors. The Biltmore Estate in Asheville is also at peak leaf color during the latter part of October.
October 24-November 5
The color show nears its end in the Chimney Rock area with an elevation of 1,300 feet although Chimney Rock summit is at 2880 feet.. Visit Chimney Rock and Lake Lure for a last look at the beautiful fall foliage season in the North Carolina mountains. In the Great Smoky Mountains head to Cades Cove and Cherokee.
Links to Web Cams showing fall foliage:
Purchase Knob Webcam Link live view and Look Rock Webcam Link live view.
Enjoy!
More Resources For Fall Foliage Reports
Travel Blue Ridge Parkway – specific to the Blue Ridge Parkway in Virginia and North Carolina as well as Skyline Drive in Virginia, Shenandoah National Park and the Great Smoky Mountains National Park
North Carolina Travel – fall foliage reports and updates specific to the North Carolina mountains including Asheville, Boone, Blowing Rock, Grandfather Mountain, Cashiers and Highlands and Chimney Rock
Get your fall foliage weekly reports here so you know when and where to go to enjoy peak colors!
Photos from past fall foliage seasons in the Great Smoky Mountains.
