Fall Foliage in the Great Smoky Mountains

Nature’s annual kaleidoscope of color will visit soon the Smokies this year with great vigor. To help travelers determine where the best altitude is for leaf viewing at any given time, Gatlinburg provides updated leaf reports at www.gatlinburg.com and a fall foliage page at www.eventsgatlinburg.com. These links chronicle the descent of full-fledged color from the highest elevations of the Smokies in September to the climax of the color in November and even suggest walks, trails and short drives to take for the best viewing potential. Autumn in Great Smoky Mountains National Park is a special time when a glorious leaf season lasting six to eight weeks is enjoyed by visitors as fall’s vibrant color changes travel down the mountainsides from high elevation of the Smokies to the foothills around Gatlinburg. There’s always peak color at a certain altitude. The adventure is finding out where the best leaf viewing is at the moment, and that usually requires only a short ride to the top. As you Reach Higher Ground, the colors explode into a spectacle of vivid shades of red and electrifying orange, with sprinklings of deep gold and bright yellows. The autumn colors surrounding Gatlinburg are magnificent and varied due to the amazing diversity of trees and plant life. Some 100 species of native trees live in the Smokies, the vast majority of which are deciduous. The timing of fall color change depends upon so many variables that the exact dates of “peak” season are impossible to predict in advance. Weather is a factor, but even Mother Nature has difficulty preventing the Smokies from erupting into a palette of brilliant colors barring a major storm. Basically, the Smokies are magnificent. Color displays above 4,000 feet start in mid-September with the turning of yellow birch, American beech, mountain maple, hobblebush, and pin cherry, clearly visible from such vantage points as Clingmans Dome Road. The fall color display usually reaches peak at middle and lower elevations between mid-October and early November. This is the Park’s most spectacular display as it includes such colorful trees as sugar maple, scarlet oak, sweetgum, red maple, and the hickories. Gatlinburg is the Southeast’s premier fall color destination, offering something for all ages.  Family-friendly and affordable, this walkable community nestled in the foothill of the Appalachian Mountains provides the perfect setting for fall vacations. Groups, families and couples will find something spectacular to their liking. Nestled in the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains, Gatlinburg boasts countless lodging, dining and entertainment options. Explore the popular Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies, ride the country’s longest aerial tram, browse through hundreds of unique shops, and revel in the splendor of the Great Smoky Mountains as you Reach Higher Ground in Gatlinburg. For more information on fall travel in Gatlinburg including outstanding deals and packages, please call (800) 56-VISIT or visit www.gatlinburg.com.