GATLINBURG, Tenn. — As autumn approaches, Great Smoky Mountains National Park looks forward to welcoming visitors to enjoy its world-renowned fall foliage. The changing leaves, cooler temperatures, wildlife viewing and special events bring in a high volume of visitors, congested traffic and limited parking. Check out the tips below to navigate the crowds and make the most of fall in the Great Smoky Mountains.
- Explore a path less travelled
Popular destinations like Cades Cove, Kuwohi and Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail will be busy and roads will likely be congested. Consider starting your day earlier in the morning or later in the afternoon and plan on your journey taking longer than normal. Check out the traffic and travel tips for the best times to be in the park and avoid the crowds during your visit.
For scenic drives to see the autumn foliage, try Foothills Parkway and make sure to stop by Look Rock Observation Tower to see sweeping views of the mountains without the crowds.
Hikers should consider taking some less-visited trails. West Prong Trail, the Cosby Nature Trail in the Cosby area or Chasteen Creek Trail are beautiful places to see the foliage and will take you off the beaten path.
- Hike smart
Great Smoky Mountains National Park has more than 800 miles of trail to explore. Research your hike ahead of time, know your limits and check trail conditions before heading into the park. Pack the Ten Essentials and don’t forget to display your parking tag on your dashboard before you hit the trail.
Autumn weather in the Smoky Mountains can be unpredictable. Before you come to the park, make sure you’re dressed for the weather and wear layers. The park’s higher elevations can be 20 degrees colder than the lower elevations, so bring warm clothes, especially if you plan on visiting the Newfound Gap and Kuwohi areas.
- Enjoy fall events in the park
Mountain Life Festival
The annual Mountain Life Festival will be held at the Oconaluftee Mountain Farm Museum on Sept 19. Beginning at 10 a.m., this free event showcases interactive cultural demonstrations such as blacksmithing, sorghum molasses processing, live music and more. Registration is not required.
Stitching Bee
During the Mountain Life Festival on Sept. 19, seasoned quilters and first-time sewers can bring their own materials or use provided supplies to make a quilt block at a Stitching Bee at the Oconaluftee Visitor Center. This event is also free to attend.
Daisy Town Day
Have you ever wondered what historic Elkmont looked like in its heyday? At Daisy Town Day, you can get a feel for what this mountain retreat looked and felt like before the creation of the national park. From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Nov. 7, volunteers in historical clothing will share stories, music and images of the historic Daisy Town area in Elkmont.
Plein Air Smokies – Tremont Institute
As fall foliage turns the mountains into a work of art, join the Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont for Plein Air Smokies. From Sept 19-26, this event brings nationally acclaimed artists to the park to capture the landscape, light and beauty of the Southern Appalachian mountains through plein air painting. Whether you want to watch artists work, put brush to canvas, or take a one-of-a-kind painting home, there’s something for the artist or art enthusiast in everyone.
To see the full list of fall activities, visit our park calendar online at https://www.nps.gov/grsm/planyourvisit/calendar.htm.
nps.gov
About the National Park Service. Established in 1916, the National Park Service preserves America’s most treasured natural and cultural places for the enjoyment, education and inspiration of current and future generations. Learn more at nps.gov.
Public Affairs Office
Great Smoky Mountains National Park
107 Park Headquarters Road
Gatlinburg, TN 37738