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Fall Color in Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge and the
Great Smoky Mountains National Park
The breathtaking beauty of Gatlinburg,
Pigeon Forge and the Great Smoky Mountains during autumn is almost impossible
to put into words. In fall, the mountains are washed with brilliant yellows,
oranges, and reds as the fall leaf season brings glorious color to Gatlinburg
and east Tennessee. Come enjoy fall in Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge and the Great
Smoky Mountains and see why these are the “Great” Smoky Mountains.
Frequently
asked questions about fall foliage in the Gatlinburg area are:
When is the best time to see
the fall color in Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge?
Altitude affects the fall color schedule,
the fall color display usually reaches peak at mid
and lower elevations between mid-October and early November. This is Gatlinburg’s
most spectacular display as it includes such colorful trees as sugar maple,
scarlet oak, sweetgum, red maple, and the hickories. At higher elevations, color displays start as early as
mid-September with the turning of yellow birch, American beech, mountain maple,
hobblebush, and pin cherry.
What makes for good fall color
in Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge?
Both temperature and moisture can cause
the fall color come earlier or later, and when the first frost occurs can
determine the intensity and timing of color. A dry summer can make leaves
change earlier, and dry summers with a wet September can cause brilliant, extended
fall color. To put it simply, there is no way of knowing exactly when the color
will begin or how long it will stick around.
Why are fall colors so
remarkable in the Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge?
One reason is the park’s amazing
diversity of trees. Some 100 species of native trees live in the Smokies and
the vast majority of these are deciduous.
How do leaf colors change?
As summer ends, the green pigments
in leaves deteriorate, giving other colors a chance to shine. Carotenoids, the
pigment that makes carrots orange and leaves yellow, are exposed as the green
fades. Reds and purples come from anthocyanins, a pigment that is formed when
sugars in leaves break down in bright autumn sunlight.
Where
can you find the best color in the Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge area?
Great color can be found almost
anywhere within the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Gatlinburg, Pigeon
Forge and Wears Valley, the foothills parkway, the Blueridge Parkway and the road
to Clingman’s Dome provide some of the best fall color viewing. Also try the
Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail in Gatlinburg or the loop in Cades Cove.
Tips:
To avoid the gridlock that occurs in the most popular
areas--including Cades Cove, Newfound Gap Road, and Roaring Fork Motor Trail,
get an early morning start and you can enjoy the annual fall color show without
so many license plates in front of you.
There are no rental cabins located within
the national park. However, American Patriot Getaways offers a variety of
Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge cabins, chalets and condos close to the Great Smoky Mountain National Park. October is a busy month in Gatlinburg and the park,
so it is advisable to book your cabin, chalet or condo with American Patriot Getaways as early as possible.
To increase your chances of hitting peak
color, book your Gatlinburg or Pigeon Forge cabin with American Patriot Getaways in the middle of October to early November.
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