It’s Time to Plan Your Fall Foliage Getaway to Great Smoky Mountain National Park!

Great Smoky Mountain National Park is the perfect place to plan a fall foliage getaway. Around mid-October, the thick, lush forests begin turning into a tapestry of orange, yellow, and red. Deer meander through valleys bursting with those beautiful fall colors. Black bears are out foraging for that last bit of food before they begin hibernating. Colorful leaves gently fall as the Little Pigeon River peacefully winds through the park. And the best part is you don’t have to hike miles to see the most scenic parts of Great Smoky Mountain National Park!

Auto touring is the best way to see the park’s colorful fall foliage show. With a speed limit of just 30 mph, visitors can take their time and stop at the many overlooks to snap that perfect picture. You can simply drive through the park or veer off the beaten path. We recommend:

•Cades Cove Loop – Arguably the park’s most popular drive, this 11 mile loop gives you a glimpse of country living in the 19th century. There are 19 stops along the way where you can tour historic churches, cabins, and even a working gristmill. But that isn’t the reason to take this drive in the fall. Cades Cove sits in a valley. Turn to your north, south, east, or west and you will see some of the most beautiful fall foliage covering the mountain sides. Reds may dominate one mountain while yellows dominate the rest. Plus, deer and other wildlife love to frequent the area!

•Newfound Gap – Pull into the gigantic parking lot at Newfound Gap and prepare to see one of the most beautiful vistas on the East Coast. The gap is not only the center of the park, but the crest of the Great Smoky Mountains. On a crystal clear day, you can see brilliant fall colors for miles. No hiking is required – the vista is right in front of the parking lot!

•Clingmans Dome – Fall colors make their first seasonal appearance on the road to Clingman’s Dome. Why? Well, this is the highest area of the park at 6,643 feet. More beautiful scenic overlooks of North Carolina’s towering mountains are at the end of this road. If you’re in good shape, consider taking the hike up to Clingmans Dome. The ½ mile trail is strenuous, but the view is second to none. Note – this road has been known to close in October due to snow!

•Roaring Fork Motor Trail – This narrow, 6 mile loop allows you to escape touristy Gatlinburg and descend deep into a lush, thick forest. As you turn onto the trail, roll down your car’s windows. You’ll quickly understand how the trail gets its name as a mountain stream roars throughout the forest. The forest is so thick that sunlight has a tough time penetrating through. Bears love to frequent the area, especially down by the stream. Beautiful fall colors make this area one of the more enchanting places in the park.

For more information about Great Smoky Mountain National Park and fall foliage updates, visit www.nps.gov/grsm