Autumn annually amazes western North Carolina and eastern Tennessee visitors with fall foliage in the Smoky Mountains.
In our experience, the best scenic views in the Smoky Mountains can rival any place in the world. And autumn is arguably the best time to visit the Smoky Mountains.
Forests on these peaks are thick with deciduous hardwood trees that put on a spectacular show year after year.
If you visit the Smoky Mountains in October (the best time to see fall colors in the Smoky Mountains), you’ll find the scenery transformed as the trees shimmer with stunning reds, golds, and oranges.
The beauty of Fall in the Smoky Mountains is the stuff of legends. Smoky Mountain foliage has inspired a collection of folk and bluegrass songs, and attracts millions of hikers and road-trippers every year.
Since these hills are part of our beloved Blue Ridge Mountains, we’ve put together an in-depth guide to the best places in the Smoky Mountains for Fall colors, both in and outside the National Park’s boundaries.
I’ve even included some off-the-beaten-track spots for leaf-peeping, which are perfect for offering a bit of serenity while soaking in come of the best views in the Smoky Mountains!
READ MORE: The 15 Best Things to Do in Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Fall Foliage in the Smoky Mountains Guide
- Anakeesta Adventure Park
- Andrews Bald
- Blue Ridge Parkway
- Cades Cove Loop Road
- Chimney Tops Trail
- Clingman’s Dome
- Foothills Parkway
- Gatlinburg Skylift Park
- Gatlinburg Space Needle
- Great Smoky Mountain Wheel
- Inspiration Point on Alum Cave Trail
- Look Rock Tower
- Low Gap Trail
- Newfound Gap Road
- Ober Gatlinburg
- Oconaluftee River Trail
- Rainbow Falls Trail
- Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail
- Sutton Ridge Overlook
- The Jump Off
READ MORE: 30 Great Smoky Mountains Facts for Trivia Buffs
Smoky Mountains Fall Foliage Hotspots
1. Anakeesta Adventure Park
576 Parkway, Gatlinburg TN • (865) 325-2400
An award-winning outdoor adventure park, Anakeesta is a top Tennessee tourist attraction even without the Gatlinburg fall foliage.
This park features ziplining courses, a roller coaster, the Anavista Smoky Mountain Observation Tower, and a treetop skywalk for primo viewing of Gatlinburg’s fall colors from up high.
General admission to the park is $34.99 for adults, $21.99 for kids from 4-11, and $26.99 for seniors (60+).
READ MORE: The 15 Most Haunted Places in Tennessee to Visit
2. Andrews Bald
Great Smoky Mountains National Park • (865) 436-1200
The Forney Ridge Trail to Andrews Bald starts at the parking lot to Clingmans Dome, and descends through the forest rather than ascending (as the route to the Dome does).
Andrews Bald is a grassy spot named after Andres Thompson, a cattle herder who brought his livestock here around 20 years before the Civil War.
The round-trip trek to Andrews Bald is 3.6 miles, with an elevation change of 1,200 feet. In other words, getting down to the bald still requires some strenuous climbing back up from it!
READ MORE: Fall in North Carolina: 25 Great Places to See Fall Colors in NC
3. Blue Ridge Parkway
South End, Blue Ridge Parkway • (828) 348-3400
The BRP is one of the premiere scenic routes in the nation.
Seeing the beautiful Blue Ridge Parkway fall foliage along with the Great Smoky Mountains fall foliage makes it a double winner for anyone who loved fall colors.
The 469-mile Blue Ridge Parkway links Shenandoah National Park in Virginia to Great Smoky Mountains National Park in North Carolina. So it’s an awesome place to see the annual Smoky Mountains leaf change.
The Blue Ridge Parkway’s southern terminus is near the Oconaluftee Visitor Center in Cherokee NC, so the Great Smoky Mountains fall colors run just north of the Parkway for a good many miles.
READ MORE: The 20 Best Overlooks on the Blue Ridge Parkway in Fall
4. Cades Cove Loop Road
Great Smoky Mountains National Park • (825) 436-1200
One of the most popular scenic routes in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, the Cades Cove Loop Road is an 11-mile route for hikers, cyclists, and motorists to explore.
In fact, one of the most popular activities in the park is vehicle-free Wednesdays at Cades Cove, when hikers and cyclists get to enjoy the beautiful route without worrying about car traffic.
The Cades Cove Loop has several historic buildings along the way, great hiking trails (including Abrams Falls), and a year-round Tennessee campground.
READ MORE: The 15 Best Great Smoky Mountains Campgrounds to Visit
5. Chimney Tops Trail
Great Smoky Mountains National Park • (825) 436-1200
This trail has a reasonable length for a day hike (3.5 miles), a serious climb in elevation (1,400 feet), and plenty of spectacular overlooks along the way.
Chimney Tops trailhead is on Newfound Gap Road, about 7 miles from the Sugarlands Visitor Center. The trail crosses some Appalachian mountain streams before quickly ascending Sugarland Mountain.
Though the Chimney Tops Trail was recently damaged by fires, most of it has already been renovated by the Trails Forever program.
In our opinion, it’s still one of the best places to see fall colors in the Smoky Mountains!
READ MORE: Where are the Blue Ridge Mountains? A State-by-State Guide
6. Clingmans Dome
Great Smoky Mountains National Park • (825) 436-1200
The highest peak in the Smoky Mountains, Clingmans Dome, offers what many people consider to be the area’s best viewpoint.
Not only is the magnificent mountain 6,643 feet high, but its summit features an observation tower that takes visitors high above the tree line for a 360º view of Fall in the Smokies.
Note that the ½-mile walk up to the Clingmans Dome summit is short, but quite steep. For those who can’t make the trek, the views at the trailhead are pretty spectacular.
Still, I encourage you to tackle the hiking trail if you can. It’s much easier coming back down!
READ MORE: 20 Best Things to Do in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina
7. Foothills Parkway
Great Smoky Mountains National Park • (825) 436-1200
Mandated by Congress in 1944, the Foothills Parkway is the only one of the 7 Congressionally mandated parkways that are not yet fully completed.
The entire route is supposed to be 72 miles, but due to rough terrain and dwindling funds, only 22.5 miles are currently open to the public.
That makes it the longest-running unrealized highway project in the state of Tennessee.
Nevertheless, the sections of the Foothills Parkway that do exist offer stunning vistas of the Smoky Mountains in Autumn (and other seasons, too).
READ MORE: The 10 Best Things to Do in Bristol TN/VA
8. Gatlinburg SkyPark
765 Parkway, Gatlinburg TN • (865) 436-4307
With this Gatlinburg TN attraction, the name really says it all.
Gatlinburg SkyPark (formerly known as SkyLift Park) features phenomenal views from places on high.
In addition to the SkyLift, the SkyPark also has SkyBridge, SkyTrail, SkyCenter, and SkyDeck to provide amazing views of the Smokies.
Entry into the park, which covers the summit of Crockett Mountain, is $36 for adults, $29 for seniors, and $22 for kids from 6-11.
READ MORE: The 10 Best Civil War Sites in Tennessee to Visit
9. Gatlinburg Space Needle
115 Historic Nature Trail, Gatlinburg TN • (865) 436-4629
The Gatlinburg Space Needle is mountain town’s classic observation tower.
It measures over 400 feet tall, and offers winning views of Gatlinburg and the mountains that surround it.
If you want to see some fabulous 360º panoramas, the Gatlinburg Space Needle has glass elevators that carry visitors up to the observation deck.
General admission to the Space Needle (including its massive 25,000-square-foot arcade) is $16 for adults, $10 for children, and $13 for seniors.
READ MORE: The 15 Best Things to Do in Lookout Mountain GA/TN
10. Great Smoky Mountain Wheel
131 Island Driver, Pigeon Forge TN • (865) 286-0119
The Great Smoky Mountain Wheel is part of the Island in Pigeon Forge, a fun-filled theme park for kids visiting the area.
It’s full of shops, restaurants, and rides, including a massive 200-foot-tall Ferris wheel that provides high-flying views of the Great Smoky Mountains’ fall colors.
Tickets for riding the Great Smoky Mountain Wheel are $15 for ages 12 and up, $10 for kids ages 3-11, and free for kids ages 2 and under.
There are also day-night combo tickets available for purchase.
READ MORE: 20 Beautiful Birds of Tennessee
11. Inspiration Point on Alum Cave Trail
Great Smoky Mountains National Park • (865) 436-1200
The Alum Cave Trail is a real over-the-river-and-through-the-woods type of hiking experience.
It begins with bridge crossings of Walker Camp Prong and Alum Cave before disappearing into an old-growth hardwood forest.
This trail traverses through a narrow tunnel at Arch Rock and climbs to Peregrine Peak, reaching Inspiration Point at the 2-mile mark.
The trailhead is located on Newfound Gap Road, about 8.5 miles from the Sugarlands Visitor Center.
A longer hike along the trail will also feature the summit of Mount Le Conte, where you can see more fantastic fall colors in Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
READ MORE: 10 Best Caverns and Underground Caves in Tennessee
12. Look Rock Tower
Foothills Parkway, Great Smoky Mountains National Park • (865) 436-1200
Look Rock Tower is so respected for its jaw-dropping views that the US National Parks site has a page dedicated to providing live photos of it.
The tower is located off the Foothills Parkway in Walland TN.
There’s a paved, 1-mile hiking trail to Look Rock Tower, and it’s considerably less crowded than many other Great Smoky Mountains National Park attractions.
This hike does have a little climb in elevation, but it’s rated as an easy trip. Mountains you can view from the tower include Clingmans Dome, Thunderhead Mountain, and Cades Cove.
READ MORE: The Tennessee Legend of the Bell Witch Haunting
13. Low Gap Trail (Loop)
Cosby, Great Smoky Mountains National Park • (865) 436-1200
Low Gap Trail is located in the Cosby section of the park, and it is generally considered off-the-beaten-path.
With Low Gap Trail, the Appalachian Trail, and the Snake Den Trail, this 13-mile loop is a whopper.
You’ll definitely want to bring all the major hiking essentials along for the trek.
The trail is serious in terms of length and challenge. But for those who have a pep in their step, it offers all the glorious Fall foliage the Smoky Mountains are known for.
READ MORE: Non-Venomous vs Venomous Snakes in Tennessee (ID Guide)
14. Newfound Gap Road
Great Smoky Mountains National Park • (865) 436-1200
Newfound Gap is one of the more frequented parts of Great Smoky Mountains National Park, and with good reason. It’s got several interesting forest ecosystems that provide world-class Fall color views.
At 5,046 feet above sea level, Newfound Gap Road is the lowest drivable pass through the park. It’s riddled with parking areas that provide stunning scenic views of the Smoky Mountains.
The road is 33 miles long and connects Gatlinburg TN to Cherokee NC, with an optional Clingmans Dome detour along the way.
I particularly love the viewpoint just south of the Clingmans Dome turnoff.
READ MORE: The 20 Best Things to Do in Cherokee NC & the Qualla Boundary
15. Ober Gatlinburg
1339 Ski Mountain Road, Gatlinburg TN • (865) 436-5423
Though Ober Mountain is primarily known as one of the best ski resorts in Tennessee, it’s open year-round and is a fantastic place for peeping fall foliage.
Ober Gatlinburg has an Aerial Tramway, a Scenic Chairlift, and the Tennessee Flyer Mountain Coaster.
All of these Gatlinburg attractions lift visitors high above the mountain landscape for awesome views.
Tickets for the Tramway are $30, while wristbands that include most of the attractions are $50.
READ MORE: 20 Ways to Celebrate Christmas in the Smoky Mountains (NC & TN)
16. Oconaluftee River Trail
Oconaluftee Visitor Center, Great Smoky National Park • (865) 436-1200
Starting off from the Oconaluftee Visitor Center, this trail is 1.5 miles long and reaches the edge of the North Carolina mountain town of Cherokee.
The Oconaluftee River Trail has a good length, very little elevation change, and fabulous foliage all along the way. Plus, it follows a beautiful river and passes by the Mountain Farm Museum.
This is one of only two hiking trails in Great Smoky Mountains National Park that allows pets and/or bicycles (the other is Gatlinburg Trail).
It’s also relatively grandparent-friendly, offering a pleasant riverside stroll rather than a serious hike.
READ MORE: The 15 Best Cabins in Cherokee NC for Rent
17. Rainbow Falls Trail
Great Smoky Mountains National Park • (865) 436-1200
The trail to Rainbow Falls (not to be confused with the one at Gorges State Park near Cashiers NC) is not for the faint of heart.
It’s 5.4 miles round-trip, with an elevation change of around 1500 feet.
However, the payoff at the end is truly extraordinary: Rainbow Falls is an impressive 80-foot waterfall that dives down a massive rock face.
The Rainbow Falls trailhead is located in the Roaring Fork area, just beyond the Noah Ogle homesite on Historic Nature Trail.
READ MORE: The 15 Best Smoky Mountain Waterfalls to Visit
18. Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail
Great Smoky Mountains National Park • (865) 436-1200
Roaring Fork is a bold, fast-running mountain stream.
This is one of the true stand-out waterways in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, and there are many cool features to find along it.
The Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail is a 5.5-mile, one way loop road located just a few miles from Gatlinburg.
In addition to the generally stunning natural scenery, the Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail offers access to grottos (a.k.a. small caves), homesteads, and waterfalls.
READ MORE: The 50 Best North Carolina Waterfalls to Visit
19. Sutton Ridge Overlook
Great Smoky Mountains National Park • (865) 436-1200
The trail to Sutton Ridge Overlook is located just outside of the Cosby Campgrounds, and it provides a wonderful vista of the Smoky Mountains fall foliage.
There’s a 1.4-mile trek to the overlook, which includes the Self-Guiding Nature Trail and takes hikers past an amphitheater.
It continues along the Lower Mount Cammerer Trail to a spur trail.
This hike to the Sutton Ridge Overlook is recommended by the NPS as an Autumn hike in the park, so you know it’s got to be fantastic!
READ MORE: The Cataloochee Valley Elk in Great Smoky Mountains National Park
20. The Jump Off
Great Smoky Mountains National Park • (865) 436-1200
A round-trip hike to the Jump Off rock outcropping in GSMNP is 6.5 miles, and much of it hovers at around the 6,000-foot mark.
The trailhead is along Newfound Gap Road, and the path is a section of the Appalachian Trail in North Carolina.
We enjoyed the slow, steady ascent of the first couple of miles, with rewarding views to spur you on. But the elevation gain is moderately challenging, and turns many hikers around.
At about 2.7 miles, you’ll turn left onto Boulevard Trail. Soon the unofficial (but sign-posted) junction to the Jump Off spur will appear, with sweeping views of Fall colors in the Smokies to follow. –by Jonathon Engels; featured image of Fall colors in the Smoky Mountains via Canva
