10/08/2014
Autumn in the Smokies
The awesome, breathtaking beauty of the Great Smoky Mountains, Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge and the surrounding area during the autumn color season is difficult to describe in words. The mountains are ablaze with brilliant reds, oranges, golds and yellows as the fall leaf season brings gorgeous color to the east Tennessee area.
Altitude affects the fall leaf colors.The color display usually reaches its peak at the middle and lower elevations between mid-October and early November. This is the area's most spectacular display. These elevations include such colorful trees as sugar maple, red maple, scarlet oak, sweetgum and hickories. At the higher elevations, the colors start as early as mid-September with maples, yellow birch, beeches, and cherry.
In addition to altitude, temperature and moisture also affect the timing of the fall color show. When the first frost occurs can affect both the intensity and timing of the trees' color. A dry summer can make leaves change earlier, and dry summers with a wet early autumn can cause brilliant, extended fall color. Learn about why leaves turn color.
Although there is no way of knowing exactly when the color will begin or how long it will last, there are resources online to help you know what is happening. You can visit the Southest Foliage Report for this information
Wonderful foliage color can be found almost anywhere within the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and the surrounding areas of Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge, Wears Valley and Townsend. Highway 441 through the Great Smoky mountains National Park from Gatlinburg to Cherokee and the road to Clingmans Dome provide some of the best views of fall colors,especially long-range panoramic views.
The 11 mile loop road through Cades Cove and the Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail in Gatlinburg are also well worth exploring. Some easy hikes to see good color are: Sugarlands Trail, The Walker Sisters Cabin Trail and Grotto Falls.
October and early November are busy times in the smokies. It is recommended you book your accommodations as early as possible. Call us today to reserve a cabin for your "Fall Foliage Stay": 1.888.477.8366.