If you're a fan of the great outdoors, then Tennessee is prooooooobably your perfect cup of tea. Mountains and rivers and beautiful scenery for miles will reel you in pretty quick with a simple internet search. Or? Just a peek at our rivers - they're stunning. Take a look!
When the summer heat starts to fade and the crisp air starts to roll in, there is always one question on everyone’s mind: when do leaves change color in Tennessee? We know it is inevitable, and soon the fiery array of fall colors will be seen all across our state, but navigating it can be tricky. Our good friends at the Smoky Mountains have set up a super helpful fall foliage map to pinpoint the perfect peak foliage in Tennessee to see your favorite overlooks or scenic drives.
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Tennessee is a very interesting state when it comes to fall colors. We tend to experience fall later on in the season than most of our northern neighbors, and the change happens more gradually.
Colorful Fall Colors in Tennessee in October 2022.
That being said, higher elevations will see the colors change first. Some spots near the Smokies might start seeing patchy foliage as early as mid-September. Near the early part of October is where eastern Tennessee should be seeing lots more change. One of the first places you should visit is up to Roan Mountain. Hike the balds for fantastic fall foliage views of what seems like an endless mountain range.
For 2024, the first three weeks of October are looking to be the perfect time to visit the Smokies.
The sun rises on Cool Autumn Morning in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
This national park is always beautiful, but in the fall, the park transforms into the perfect picture of fall foliage. If you arrive early in October, then The Foothills Parkway is where you will want to take a scenic drive. The Parkway overlooks the mountains which should be producing some incredible scenery at that time of the month.
If you happen to be in the Smokies closer to the second or third week in October, Cades Cove would be your best bet to see fall colors.
Being in a valley, you will find that the leaves change a little later, but when that time finally comes, it's a ravishing spectacle to behold. This is also a great place to watch for wildlife, so keep your eyes peeled for bears, deer, and the myriad creatures that call this park home.
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If you're in middle Tennessee, expect a peak in fall colors sometime near the end of October.
During this time, make your way to your favorite spot anywhere on the Cumberland Plateau for phenomenal views of the autumn leaves. Places like South Cumberland State Park or Savage Gulf State Park will offer sweeping views of the mountains with a fiery array of colors. Or hike through the woods and find a lovely waterfall to spend the day chasing. Finally, another great option is to take a day driving The Natchez Trace for a slower way to savor the season's splendor.
There are so many scenic places to enjoy the fall colors in Tennessee that it would be impossible to name them all.
The Appalachian Trail, Forest in Great Smoky Mountain, Tennessee, USA
West Tennessee will experience "peak" fall foliage last.
This is forecasted to happen between the first and second weeks of November. A great spot to see the leaves change in this region would be at Reelfoot Lake State Park. The leaves changing on the cypress trees are a sight like no other.
Now you know the answer to your burning question: When do leaves change color in Tennessee?
Planning a trip to take full advantage of the fall foliage? I highly suggest you do! It’s time to get outside and start seeing this amazing natural cycle happen right before your very eyes. So no matter where you call home in our wonderful state, make sure to check out the Smoky Mountains fall foliage predictions and plan for an epic autumn adventure.
Need a place to stay during your autumn travels? Check out these hotels for a cozy place to rest on your journey.
One beautiful summer day we did the Sewanee Natural Bridge hike and it was easy to see why many people have said this is a must-see natural wonder. The town itself was a charming little community and this hidden gem in Tennessee located in the forest was just the cherry on top. When you are looking for short and easy hikes in Tennessee this is a tough one to beat with very little work and a huge payoff.
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We first started our journey by driving around town. Cruising up and down the streets of a small town can be a good indicator of the culture of the community. Sewanee residents are a proud group of folks who display their love for the college just about everywhere you look.
Sewanee’s University of the South was high on my list of places to see. The campus is filled with castle-like buildings and is honestly one of the prettiest colleges I have ever visited. I felt like I was stepping into a fantasy novel or walking the halls of Hogwarts. It was truly a magical place.
Just down the road from the beautiful spires of the college campus was the Sewanee Natural Bridge. We knew this hidden gem was waiting for us so we continued down the street. From the trailhead, you will walk down a set of stairs to this incredible arch.
My favorite part was that the trail leads directly to the top of the bridge! We were able to hike right over the thin section that spans 50 feet long and 25 feet above the ground.
I am pretty surefooted when it comes to large drop-offs and dare to approach ledges at death-defying heights... so I know I don’t speak for everyone when I say the narrow passageway over the arch was not scary. However, my wife -- who is much less comfortable with heights -- was cautiously optimistic and said it didn’t bother her either.
Once we were down below there were caves to explore carved out of the limestone and we had plenty of rocks to climb on. I just stood in awe of this massive structure while my kids jumped around the rocks.
It was a quick stop and we had plenty of other adventures planned that day but we took our time to fully soak in this glorious spot. Making time to slow down during an adventure day is a life-giving experience as we just listen to the birds chirping and the light blow of the breeze through the canopy above. This is the pace at which you notice little things like the sun peeking over the surface of the bridge or a brilliantly colored mushroom popping up throufh the rock crevices.
We were blessed to be able to stop at this location and is a very short hike I would highly recommend. This trail is technically located in the South Cumberland State Park and is the only natural bridge in South Cumberland State Park.
The Sewanee Natural Bridge hike was a blast for my family and me. With a short walk down the stairs, you can barely call this a "hike" -- and the pay-off is huge! Walking over the bridge was a big highlight for me and certainly is a memorable experience here in the Volunteer State. To see more about the trail to the Sewanee Natural Bridge make sure to download AllTrails for helpful and up-to-date user input. If you would like to see our full journey to this hidden natural wonder in Tennessee make sure to check out this Adventuring In The Moment video:
