Oct 21, 2022
Leaf Peeping Season in the Smoky Mountains
We’ve finally made it to that much-awaited time of year when the weather cools down and the fall foliage hits its climactic changes. Peak leaf peeping season is in full effect. The Smoky Mountains are bursting into wondrous red, orange and yellow hues – a must-see for locals and visitors alike.
Best Times to See Fall Colors
Click here for an interactive 2022 Foliage Map & Nationwide Peak Leaf Forecast.
Fall color changes begin as early as mid-September at higher elevations, maintaining their beauty through mid-November. In the Smokies, you can expect peak fall foliage to occur in late October.
The Smoky Mountains’ long colorful season exists because of the different weather patterns found in the region’s various altitudes. Things cool down much more quickly at higher elevations, causing the leaves to transform earlier, like at Clingman’s Dome. Meanwhile, places at lower el
Fall is one of the park’s busiest times of the year, so we suggest making a game plan ahead of time. Here are several family-friendly trails we recommend hiking.
Laurel Falls Trail, which is a 2.3-mile round-trip hike that begins at a parking lot near the top of Fighting Creek Gap.
Clingmans Dome is the highest point in the Smokies, and it’s accessible via a ½-mile-long paved trail. It is a reasonably steep climb, but the panoramic views at the top that extend nearly 100 miles are worth the effort.
Rich Mountain Loop Trail is located in Cades Cove and is only mildly challenging, so it should be acceptable for all family members. Because it is a very popular trail, you should park in the campground and make the short walk to the trailhead.
If a country drive is more your speed, enjoy the changing foliage from your car by cruising the Cades Cove Loop, the Foothills Parkway or Balsam Mountain Road.evations, like Cades Cove, take a bit longer to kick into gear.
For a unique peek into fall in the Smoky Mountains, check out this video by our good friends at Visit My Smokies.
Planning Your Leaf Peeping Adventure
Fall is one of the park’s busiest times of the year, so we suggest making a game plan ahead of time. Here are several family-friendly trails we recommend hiking.
- Laurel Falls Trail, which is a 2.3-mile round-trip hike that begins at a parking lot near the top of Fighting Creek Gap.
- Clingmans Dome is the highest point in the Smokies, and it’s accessible via a ½-mile-long paved trail. It is a reasonably steep climb, but the panoramic views at the top that extend nearly 100 miles are worth the effort.
- Rich Mountain Loop Trail is located in Cades Cove and is only mildly challenging, so it should be acceptable for all family members. Because it is a very popular trail, you should park in the campground and make the short walk to the trailhead.
If a country drive is more your speed, enjoy the changing foliage from your car by cruising the Cades Cove Loop, the Foothills Parkway or Balsam Mountain Road.
Leaf Peeping Cheat Sheet
We’ve put together a cheat sheet to help you identify leaves by their fall colors. Once you’ve narrowed down the possibilities, you can reference this leaf identification guide created by the UT Institute of Agriculture to distinguish between them by shape.
- American Beech: yellow
- Birch: bright yellow
- Black Cherry: yellow
- Black Maple: glowing yellow
- Dogwood: deep red
- Hickory: golden bronze
- Mountain Ash: yellow
- Oak: red, brown, or russet
- Red Maple: bright scarlet or orange
- Shining Sumac: red
- Sourwood: brick red
- Sugar Maple: orange-red
- Tulip Poplar: golden yellow
Leaf peeping season only comes once a year, so be sure not to miss it! Plan your trip to the Peaceful Side of the Smokies today!
