A famous destination for visitors intent on “leaf peeping,” the Great Smoky Mountains National Park is the most visited national park in America. Old growth forests dominate the habitat of the park, and its blanket of red, gold, yellow and orange provides concealment for numerous species of animals including black bears, chipmunks and birds. Elevation changes and weather affect the timing of the leaves’ changes, with color first showing at higher elevations amongst maple, birch and American beech. Later in the season and at lower elevations, oak, sweet gum and hickory begin to put on a show. For great panoramic views, visit Clingmans Dome, 23 miles east of Gatlinburg on the Newfound Gap road. A short walking trail brings you to the observation area, where you will be rewarded with views that can stretch to 100 miles under ideal conditions.
The Natchez Trace is a 444-mile-long stretch of fabulous American roadway and is administered by the National Park Service. The Trace runs from Nashville through middle Tennessee to the Alabama border before continuing on to Natchez, Mississippi. The Tennessee section of the park offers an excellent way to enjoy autumn, as the sweeping curves, low speed limits and controlled exits provide for relaxed motoring as you make your way down one of America’s favorite scenic drives. Mileposts along the east side of the road make keeping track of your progress easy, and park maps tick off points of interest as you go. Fall colors are at their best here at the end of October and into early November.
From nearby Lookout Mountain that dominates the skyline to the meandering Tennessee River that runs through downtown, Chattanooga is a scenic locale made even better by fall’s arrival. Ride the Incline Railway, billed as “America’s Most Amazing Mile,” to reach the top of Lookout Mountain along a grade that exceeds 70 percent. You will be rewarded with breathtaking views of the area and get an opportunity to learn about the Civil War battle that is memorialized by the Chickamauga-Chattanooga National Military Park System. Make your way downhill to find the many activities, festivals and events that take place throughout the fall season in Chattanooga, such as Boo in the Zoo, Oktoberfest at the Chattanooga Market and RiverRocks Adventure Sport Games, a 12-day outdoor event that celebrates adventure sports and the area’s natural attractions.
Hop aboard the Tennessee Aquarium’s River Gorge Explorer, a water jet-propelled, hydrofoil catamaran that takes Fall Foliage Tours down the river through the Tennessee River Gorge. Passengers are treated to great views of colorful trees that carpet the riverfront slopes. Aquarium naturalists accompany the tour and give expert insights into the region’s flora and fauna, as well as accompany guests on excursions to natural sites and points of historic interest. You can see the fall colors best from late October to early November, as well as wildlife such as raccoons, white tail deer and birds of prey. The River Gorge Explorer leaves from the Chattanooga River Boat Pier, and the cruise takes approximately two hours. You can also take a self-guided tour by renting a pontoon or speedboat from one of the marinas that serve this river system.
