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Your fall photos just got better in Tennessee.
Everyone loves fall. The canopy turns intense shades of yellow and red and orange and then they snap and drop to the ground below. But East Tennessee, impounded by the Cumberland Plateau to the north and west and the spine of the Southern Appalachians to the south and east, may be one of the most beautiful autumns in the world. Don't believe us? Here are five reasons that might change your mind.
Trying to hit peak leaf season? Check out our Fall Foliage Report.
The Cherohala Skyway National Scenic Byway connects you to beautiful fall foliage. Journey the twists and turns that snake through Tellico Plains, Tennessee and its mountainous countryside. You'll want to dedicate ample time to pull off to overlook areas for Instagram-worthy snapshots.
Newfound Gap Road is an idyllic fall foliage scenic drive that takes you through a variety of forests like cove hardwood, pine-oak, spruce fir and more. It's the only paved road in The Smokies that travels directly through the center of the park with an elevation of 5,046 feet. It's one of the most scenic drives in America, so get ready to snap a lot of photos.
Undoubtedly the most popular destination in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, the Cades Cove Loop road offers visitors the opportunity to drive through - instead of above - the canopy, with as little modern intrusion as possible. During autumn, the Cove is open at sunrise. Arrive early and beat the crowds.
Higher than any other location in the entire Great Smoky Mountains National Park, the Kuwohi observation tower offers views that can hardly be challenged anywhere east of the Mississippi River. At a whopping 6,643 ft. above sea level, you are higher than most trees can physically grow, so the foliage change will literally be beneath your feet.
Climb to the overlook of Buffalo Mountain Park, a 725-acre park that offers stunning views of Johnson City and Northeast Tennessee laid out below. You'll love the steep topography and surrounding forests. Enjoy a picnic, hiking and nature programs hosted throughout the year.
Tennessee’s South Cumberland Plateau surprises visitors with its scenic beauty, architecture, food and more.
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