Fall Colors in the 9 Lakes of East Tennessee- When is the Best Time to Visit?

Whether you are out on one of our 9 Lakes; up in the Great Smoky Mountains; attending a college football game; exploring the Cherokee National Forest; rock climbing above the Obed River; road tripping on country road, or hiking through the Cumberland Gap; the fall season gives you countless reasons to consider an East Tennessee vacation.

Mother Nature’s spectacular color show lasts for several weeks and there are plenty of places to drive, stay or play and  to enjoy some of the best fall foliage in the country.

Come for the fall scenery and stay for the events and festivals.  Whether you are planning a fall break or a fall road trip, the mountains and lakes of East Tennessee are calling.

When should I visit to see the Fall colors at their best?

The 9 Lakes region varies in elevation from around 800 feet above sea level up to peaks higher than 6,000 feet.  This can greatly impact when the peaks of fall colors happen.  Here is a rough guide to when seasonal fall color changes:

Smokies High Elevation – While the colors start showing in the highest parts of the Great Smoky Mountains (and the highest peaks in the Cherokee National Forest) the best viewing begins in mid-September, the peak usually doesn’t happen until about the second week of October.  During this time, traffic along Newfound Gap Road from Gatlinburg and the Foothills Parkway (from Wears Valley to Walland) can see a lot of backups. Places to avoid the traffic include the Greenbrier Section of the GSMNP just off U.S. 321, the Foothills Parkway from I-40 to Cosby and the Cosby section of the park. Hiking the Mount Cammerer Trail is another way to see the fall colors.

Smokies Mid-Elevation– Townsend on the “peaceful side of the Smokies” usually see’s peak colors in mid-October. Take your time enjoying the beauty of the area by biking the 9-mile Townsend Historical Trail or driving through Cades Cove. The Foothills Parkway from Walland to Chilhowee Lake (and the Tail of the Dragon) is another great place for leaf peeping.  Stop and walk up to the Look Rock observation tower for a stellar 360 degree view of the Smokies, the Tennessee Valley and over to the Cumberland Plateau.

Our partners at Sevier County Tourism have even more details and how to see the fall colors, when to expect them and the “magic” behind them.

Cumberland Mid-elevations—The north and western sections of the 9 Lakes Region are marked with ridges, valleys  and the Cumberland Plateau where fall colors add an extra layer of beauty to this already stellar, rugged landscape. Mid to late October are the best times to see the colors. Consider hiking at Obed or making stops at the Lily or Nemo Bridges and hike out to the observation platforms at Lily Bluff. Afterward, grab lunch and a beer at the Lily Pad Hopyard or visit Tanner’s Café in Wartburg.

Cumberland Gap National Historic Park provides many places to see the fall colors and they all come with the charm of the town of Cumberland Gap, TN.  It’s a great place where history and natural beauty come together in spectacular ways.

Valley region– The Tennessee River Valley sits at the heart of the 9 Lakes Region, nestled between the Great Smoky and Cumberland Mountains.  This area which includes cities like Knoxville, Oak Ridge, Morristown and Lenoir City see the fall color peaks last, usually the end of October or early November.  And the displays can certainly be just as stunning, accentuated by a wide range of fall centered activities.

Celebrating fall in a big way

Whether it’s the nearly two month long Harvest Festival at Dollywood, the October Sky Festival in Oliver Springs or fall fun on a farm, people in East Tennessee celebrate the season in many ways.  Here are a few event suggestions to work into your East Tennessee vacation.

• Sep 9-Oct 28: –Dollywood Harvest Festival in Pigeon Forge
• Sep 27-28: Scot-Irish Festival- Dandridge
• Sept 28:  Louie Bluie Festival Caryville
• Oct  First three weekends in October Tennessee Medieval Faire– Harriman
• Oct 3-30: Craftsmen Fair- Gatlinburg
• Oct 4 -5: Clinch River Fall Antiques Festival, Clinton
• Oct 5-6: 38^th Annual Newport Harvest Festival– Newport
• Oct 17-19:  Windrock Park Fall Jamboree near Oliver Springs
• Oct 19-20: Streaming in the Gap  Cumberland Gap
• Oct 18–20t:  Wears Valley Festival -Wears Valley
•  Oct 19: October Sky Festival – Oliver Springs
•  Oct 19–20: Grassy Fork/Hartford Festival in Hartford
• Oct 24- Nov 1- Fall Heritage Days– Museum of Appalachia- 2 weekends, Thurs and Fri
•  Oct 25-27: 225^th Anniversary of Kingston: Fort Southwest Point.
• Oct 26: Cherohala Skyway Festival in Tellico Plains
• Oct 26-27: Mountain Makins Festival in Morristown
•  Oct 26-27:  Lakeside of the Smokies Balloon Festival in Dandridge