Xplorie’s Guide to Leaf Peeping in the Smokies
October 4, 2022
Gatlinburg is surrounded by the sights, sound, and splendor of the fall season with some of the most breathtaking leaf-peeping opportunities in the wild beauty of Great Smoky Mountains National Park and right in the heart of downtown Gatlinburg at world-class attractions and activities.
With elevations in the charming mountain towns and fall foliage trails ranging from 875 feet to summits of 6,643 feet above sea level, the leaf-peeping experiences in the Smokies extend into the first few weeks of November. There’s still plenty of time to plan a 2022 Smoky Mountain Fall Foliage trip and we’ve got all the tips.
Best Attractions for Leaf Peeping in Gatlinburg
Endless shopping, fabulous fall dinner shows, exhilarating theme park adventures, and the Smokies’ famous fall festivals in downtown Gatlinburg all come with a view throughout the leaf-peeping season. From mountain-top towers and trams to thrilling aerial tours with birds-eye views of the Smokies – the best attractions for leaf-peeping in Gatlinburg are free with your Xplorie activity package.
View the beautiful foliage from the Treetop Skywalk at Anakeesta
Anakeesta Theme Park: Soaring 600 feet above downtown Gatlinburg, the award-winning Anakeesta is a feast for the eyes every fall season with views of colors popping across the mountains and valleys for miles. Anakeesta’s Hallow Mountain autumn event is already in full swing with a mountain of adventures for the whole family, fall-inspired food and drinks, music from some of Tennessee’s best bands, and forests of breathtaking fall foliage.
Ober Gatlinburg Aerial Tramway: Ride the Aerial Tramway from downtown Gatlinburg to the Ober Gatlinburg Amusement Park, situated at an elevation of 2,700 feet. Traveling two miles for ten minutes, the panoramic views across the Smokies are spectacular – you won’t know which way to turn! For traditional Bavarian festivities, Oompah bands, bratwurst, and beer, the Ober Gatlinburg OktOBERfest runs through October 30th.
Dollywood Theme Park: Nestled in the foothills of the Smokies, Dollywood is full of leaf-peeping opportunities and hosts America’s #1 Fall Family Event, the highly-anticipated Harvest Festival. Whether you’re riding the wild coasters, taking a train ride with the kiddies, or enjoy the fall festivities – Dollywood is a top attraction for leaf-peeping in the Smokies.
Helicopter Tours: Take your leaf-peeping experience in Gatlinburg to new heights on a scenic helicopter tour of the Smoky Mountains – free with Xplorie! Scenic Helicopter Tours offer a once-in-a-lifetime fall foliage experience with tour options including an Extended Lake Tour, Gatlinburg Tour, Lake View Tour, Mountain Valley Tour, Ridge Runner, and tours over the painted landscapes of the Wears Valley.
The Harvest Festival at Dollywood
Adventure Park at Five Oaks: For more epic aerial adventures, head to Adventure Park at Five Oaks for a thrilling 7-line zipline tour above the nature park and thick forests popping with fall colors. With options for kids as young as 4 and dual racing lines to zipline side by side, it’s the perfect way to spend a fall family day in Gatlinburg.
Best Fall Drives & Hikes in the Smokies
Gatlinburg is the gateway to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park – America’s most visited national park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the most biodiverse park in the US with thousands of species of plants and trees. Travelers return year after year to witness the changing of the seasons in the Smokies, reconnect with nature, and leaf-peep along the best fall drives and hikes, easily accessible from Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge, and the Parkway.
Hike part of the Appalachian Trail in Gatlinburg!
Newfound Gap Road: Newfound Gap Road (US 441) is a 32-mile long highway traversing through the park from Gatlinburg to Cherokee, NC. This route has several scenic overlooks, quiet walkways surrounded by sugar maples, picnic areas in the hardwoods, and trailheads for some of the best fall foliage hikes in the Smokies.
Appalachian Trail: Did you know you can hike the Appalachian Trail in Gatlinburg? Park at the Newfound Gap parking area and head out on a 3.4 mile round trip along the Appalachian National Scenic Trail to Indian Gap. You can turn around at any point and still tell your friends you hiked the Appalachian Trail!
Alum Cave Trail: The Alum Cave trail is a moderate hike with gorgeous old growth forests, log bridge crossings, a narrow tunnel through Arch Rock and jaw-dropping views from Inspiration Point. The trail continues on to the Alum Cave Bluffs and the Cliff Tops overlook at the summit of Mt. LeConte, the third-highest peak in the Smokies.
Clingman’s Dome Road: Turn off Newfound Gap Road for a 7-mile scenic drive to Clingman’s Dome, the highest point in the Great Smoky Mountain National Park and Tennessee. A steep, half-mile hike takes you to the summit observation tower at 6,643 feet with sweeping 360-degree fall foliage views and the absolute best sunsets in the Smokies!
Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail: If you’re chasing cascading waterfalls, the Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail is the scenic route for you. This narrow 5.5-mile one-way loop winds through thick vibrant forests with historic cabins, barns and working mills, beautiful wildlife, babbling streams, and trailheads to the most popular waterfall hikes in the Smokies.
Grotto Falls: The 25-foot Grotto Falls is the only waterfall in the Smokies you can stand behind and is popular for both fall foliage and fantastic fall photos! The 2.6-mile out and back trail winds through old-growth hemlock forests with a steady elevation, amazing views, and the occasional salamander hanging out in the pools.
Baskin Creek Falls: Baskin Creek Falls is a two-tier 40-foot waterfall slightly off the beaten path on a steep, rugged and scenic 1.5-mile trail. Surrounded by forests of fall foliage, captivating mountain views, and fewer crowds, it’s a picture-perfect fall hike in the Smokies.
There’s no shortage of trails to choose from!
Rainbow Falls: The Rainbow Falls trail is one of the oldest trails in the park and well worth the 5.4-mile round trip if you’re up for a challenge. Rainbow Falls plunges 80 feet into a small pool creating frequent rainbows in the mist contrasting with the colors of fall. Impressive is an understatement!
Cades Cove – The crown jewel of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Cades Cove Loop Road: The Cades Cove Scenic Loop is the crown jewel of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and is only a short scenic drive from Gatlinburg. The 11-mile loop road is spectacular for wildlife viewing in the open meadows, history walks through the old buildings, fall picnics, and leaf-peeping from the car or trails.
Cades Cove Nature Trail: The Cades Cove Nature Trail is the perfect trail to stretch your legs after driving the loop. With the remains of a chestnut grove, beautiful golden oaks, crimson sourwoods and dogwoods, and evergreen pines, it’s a scenic spot to snap family photos.
Abrams Falls Trail: Abrams Falls is the most powerful waterfall in the park, accessible on a 5-mile roundtrip through pine, oak, hemlock, and rhododendron forests. With good grip hiking shoes to negotiate the tricky terrain (and perhaps some poles), this waterfall hike is perfect for the whole family.
Escape the Crowds in a Cabin with a View!
Whether you’re looking to completely escape the crowds or seeking a cozy place to lay your head, soak your muscles in a bubbling starlit hot tub, and spend cool autumn evenings with fireside chats and fall foliage views, we’ve got you covered!
Our selection of Smoky Mountain lodging includes hundreds of luxury Gatlinburg getaways and quintessential cabins in the Smokies – with Gatlinburg’s top leaf-peeping attractions included for every day of your stay!
