If you look at any list of the top national parks for fall foliage, Tennessee and North Carolina’s Great Smoky Mountains National Park is almost certain to be one of the top picks.

Located in the majestic Appalachian Mountains, the highly biodiverse park contains more tree species than in all of Europe, and over 1,400 species of flowering plants. But the park doesn’t just contain swoonworthy fall foliage; it also boasts one of the longest displays of autumn colors in the entire United States, often beginning in mid- to late September and lasting through early November.

The secret as to why lies in the park’s remarkable elevation diversity, with peaks soaring from 875 to 6,643 feet above sea level. This 5,768-foot elevation difference creates what becomes, over time, a wave of color that literally travels down the mountainsides, turning them alight with glorious fall color.

Weather in your inbox

Forecast Location

Sign Up

By signing up you agree to the Terms & Privacy Policy. Unsubscribe at any time.

The relationship between elevation and fall color timing is rooted in basic atmospheric science. For every 1,000 feet of elevation gain, temperatures typically drop by an average of 3.3 degrees Fahrenheit. For context, this is basically the equivalent of traveling several hundred miles north!

Trees begin to turn to their fall colors when nighttime temperatures consistently drop below 45 degrees. In the Great Smoky Mountains, this threshold often arrives in mid-September at Clingmans Dome, Tennessee (elevation 6,643 feet), while it typically isn’t until a month later that they occur at Gatlinburg (1,289 feet).

To maximize your extended season experience, focus on Clingmans Dome and high-elevation areas in mid- to late September, explore mid-elevation locations like Roaring Fork and upper Cades Cove in early October, visit transition zones and lower Cades Cove in mid-October, and finish with valley floors and stream areas through late October and early November.

This progression allows visitors to essentially follow autumn down the mountain, experiencing multiple peak color periods within a single season. Enjoy!