One of my favorite times of year is fast approaching. Riding in the Smoky Mountain is beautiful anytime but riding when the fall colors are at their brightest is absolutely breathtaking. 
The Smoky Mountains usually experience an autumn leaf season of several weeks as fall colors travel down the mountainsides from high elevation to low. However, the timing of fall color change depends upon so many variables that the exact dates of "peak" season are impossible to predict in advance. The fall color display usually reaches peak at mid and lower elevations between mid-October and early November. At above 4000 feet they usually reach their peak from early to mid October. To enjoy them and see some of the greatest views drive the Clingmans Dome Road, the Blue Ridge Parkway, or the Foothills Parkway.
Elevation profoundly affects when fall colors change in the Smoky Mountains. At higher elevations, where the climate is similar to New England’s, color displays start as early as mid-September with the turning of yellow birch, American beech, mountain maple, hobblebush, and pin cherry.
Why are fall colors so remarkable in the Smokies? One reason is the mountain’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 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.
Recommendations: Good places to see fall color include Newfound Gap Road from Alum Cave Trailhead to Kephart Prong Trailhead, the Blue Ridge Parkway, Foothills Parkway East & West, and Heintooga Ridge Road to Balsam Mountain Campground. Suggested hikes include Rich Mountain Loop, Chestnut Top Trail, Smokemont Loop, Kanati Fork, and Sutton Ridge Overlook (Lower Mt. Cammerer Trail). Autumn is both a beautiful and a busy time in the Great Smoky Mountains. The annual show of fall colors attracts huge numbers of sightseers, especially during the last three weeks of October. Areas in the Smoky Mountains which experience the longest traffic delays are Cades Cove and Newfound Gap Road (U.S. 441). Try some of these suggested autumn drives and hikes to enjoy fall leaf colors in areas of the mountains that are a little less crowded.
So far the fall weather in the Smokies has certainly been atypical. Rather than blue skies, cool temperatures, and low humidity we have had persistent rains and warm, muggy days and nights. Yet there is color in the Smokies!
Tuliptree, dogwood, black walnut, sumacs, Virginia creeper, spicebush, Dutchman’s pipe, and sourwood are showing yellows and burgundy reds against a green backdrop. At the higher elevations, witch hobble, yellow buckeye, sugar maple, and yellow birch are showing nice color.
Ample rainfall throughout the year has set the stage for a robust color season. Thus far the “early changers” appear to be right on schedule. Perhaps the colors will linger longer this year because of the abundant rains.
Because there was no summer drought this year, trees are carrying more leaves than usual at this time. This is especially true for tuliptrees and buckeyes which are at least half bare by late September most autumns, but not so this year.
I can’t think of a better way to end the riding season than taking in the spectacular views the Smoky Mountains has to offer at this time of year. Take a look at other pages on the site for places to eat, stay and ride while in the Smoky Mountains.
Until next time, ride safe and ride often.
Karen