dyximan

I am considering a road trip to Tennessee to experience the fall foliage at the tail of the dragon, and I understand there are some other areas there With awesome foliage and photos ops. I would love to hear from natives in the area about the best time to view the area and its wonderful fall foliage, aswell as other points of interest in the state.

I want to thank you all in advance for your time, info, and suggestions.

Triple G

https://www.visitmysmokies.com/blog/smoky-mountains/smoky-mountains-fall-foliage-forecast/

https://www.tnvacation.com/articles/when-autumn-starts-tennessee#

https://www.christopherplace.com/5-tips-for-planning-to-see-the-smoky-mountain-fall-colors/

https://www.fs.usda.gov/cherokee/

https://www.romanticasheville.com/fall.htm

Besides fall colors, do a search on hikes, waterfalls, etc.

PM me if you need more.

Leaves are already changing. Be careful on the dragon.

manofhg Loc: Knoxville, TN

I personally would not recommend going to the Dragon for foliage unless you are riding a motorcycle and are going for that purpose as well. The Dragon is always crowded with bikes and sports cars and though you are in the midst of trees, there aren't any good vistas along the Dragon. There are a lot of wrecks along the Dragon each week though. I would suggest the view from Newfound Gap or Cades Cove for excellent views. Not sure when the best viewing time is, but the park will be crowded as that time approaches. Early in the morning is better especially for the Cove. If you like to camp, if the campground is open in the pandemic and I don't have any idea, you can camp at Cades Cove which allows you to be there early without the drive. The loop road is closed to cars till maybe 10 a.m. (not sure about the time), but you can ride a bike (not motorcycle) or walk it before the cars are set free.

Triple G

I’m faint of heart so the Dragon is a one time experience for me. I wholeheartedly agree that Cades Cove is a good destination. I’m headed there to take in the sights next week.

https://smokymountains.com/park/cades-cove/scenic-drive/
https://theblueridgehighlander.com/scenic_drives_tennessee_foothills_parkway.php

Red6

I concur with my fellow Knoxvillian. The Dragon can be intimidating with all the motorcycles and sports cars. However, there is a beautiful drive between Chilhowee Lake and Wears Valley on Foothills Parkway. There are some great overlooks with parking. If you are going to Cades Cove there is an exit on the Foothills Parkway that connects to Hwy 321 that takes you into Townsend and Cades Cove.

Also, if going to Cades Cove, try taking Tremont Road for some great photo opportunities. Take a left onto Tremont Road right after getting on the road to Cades Cove. Tremont is a great visit for photographers and you will most likely see several setting up along side the road to shoot the creeks and vistas.

Now the not so pleasant news. Now that the leaves are turning it will be very crowded in the mountains, especially Cades Cove. Traffic backups are common, so be patient. Early is best to see wildlife and it is hit or miss. Somedays you go and see herds of deer and occasional bears. Other days you wonder if there is any wildlife there. Regardless, there is lots to see.

Good Luck and have fun!

tcthome Loc: NJ

Hope this helps with your decision.

https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=smokies+new+found+gap

lhardister Loc: Brownsville, TN

[quote=dyximan]I am considering a road trip to Tennessee to experience the fall foliage ...


The most significant fall date for many Tennesseans is the third Saturday in October when Tennessee and Alabama meet to renew their football rivalry. IMHO, the best combination of viewing weather and fall color usually occurs between that date and mid-November. After that time, both weather and color tend to deteriorate, the rate varying with the weather, until "viewing" essentially bottoms out by the end of the year.

The hardwoods are the trees that provide the color--especially the large species like hickories (yellow), poplars (yellow), sweet gums (red) and oaks (various shades of mostly brown, depending on the species). The oaks, generally speaking, do not turn as quickly as the others, but hold their leaves longer. The hardwoods do not thrive at the highest elevations (like Clingman's Dome, for example), but are more generally found from the valleys, creek bottoms, and hillsides up to the mid-level slopes. Look for overlooks along the highways--or the trails if you are hiking--at the mid to higher levels that provide wide vistas of the lower terrain and its colorful hardwoods. The views and the photo opportunities can be thrilling.

Best regards,

lhardister

Triple G

Latest news.
https://www.wate.com/weather/fall-foliage-in-east-tennessee-when-it-peaks-and-what-causes-the-leaves-to-change-color/

tomad Loc: North Carolina

I go every year and I watch the foliage forecasts from people who live up there in the mountains and this year is shaping up to be a very good year for fall color there. In my opinion the Blue Ridge Parkway is your best bet. You can go from Blowing Rock, NC near the Virginia border all the way to the south terminus of the Parkway near Cherokee, NC in one long day but I would suggest at least two days with a night in Asheville near the mid point. If you want to do some hiking and side trips for waterfalls and such you should allow more time.

Good side trips would include the Cradle of Forestry, Cataloochee valley (for Elk), Oconoluftee Mountain Farm Museum, Mingus Mill, and the many waterfalls near the parkway. If you have more time and want to drive Tail of the Dragon I would suggest doing the triangle which also includes the Cherohala Skyway in the same area. You should really spend a week in the area and spend several days in Smoky Mountain National Park while you are there.

Bear in mind that the color change is by altitude. That's why the NC Blue Ridge Parkway is so good. The drive covers ranges from around 2500 feet to 6000 so if you go near the middle of October there will be color on some parts. I plan to go the week beginning Oct 12 this year as that is the predicted peak color in the 4k to 5k' range which is most of the Blue Ridge Parkway.

Here's a good site to see what to expect...

https://blueridgemountainlife.com/fall-foliage/#tab-con-14

Dennis 221

simple just stay off Dragon

blumoon722

The Cherohala Skyway is awesome. It goes from Robinsville, NC to Tellico Plains, TN

Tinkwmobile

The Dragon is no place for sight seeing. I am one of those many sports cars. We have driven the Dragon numerous times, it's a hoot and a great experience. I have a number of videos taken during my drives. If they were during fall, it would be scenic. Can't take your eyes off the road to look at trees on the Dragon :).

I would not drive Dragon in the fall because of falling leaves. If the leaves get a bit damp, they become very slippery. Cannot afford to give up grip on The Dragon.

We have found Tues - Thurs are best days for a run as most of the organized events revolve around weekend. You can find more info. plus schedules https://tailofthedragon.com/.

For scenery try the Cherohola Skyway. https://cherohala.com/. I ran it once, pretty boring if you are a driver, but great scenery.

jbhess

Rode the Dragon with kickstand sparks all the way. Wouldn't have noticed any foliage; too busy staying in my lane. Being passed by crotch rockets even at my maximum lean. Would not recommend looking at foliage (or anything besides the road ahead) while on a motorcycle.

DaveyDitzer Loc: Western PA

Yes, I'm being a funny bunny, but if you're driving the Tail of the Dragon, you should be going so fast that photos aren't an option. Yes go very early , then go back later to join the photo op crowd.

CharlesM Loc: Johnson City, upper East Tennessee

Many good suggestions both for avoiding the Dragon and for visiting other parts of east Tennessee. A Washington County/ Johnson Citian here, I'm prejudice towards Roan Mountain State Park, the northern NC Blue Ridge, Mount Rogers in southwestern Virginia. And about a million other great places to see. Might check Big South Fork north of Knoxville. Cumberland Gap. Boone, N.C., and the original Mast General store. The Tom Long frescoes in West Jefferson, N.C.

I don't know where to start or end! Pick a spot, about anyplace from 50 miles west of Knoxville to up here in the corner will do.

C'mon down. Glad to give you the cooks tour.