FALL IN LOVE WITH GATLINBURG
This time of year draws thousands of
visitors to the Great Smoky Mountain
National Park where ‘leaf peeping’ is a
favorite and traditional pastime. The park
usually experiences an autumn leaf season
of several weeks as fall colors travel down
the mountain sides 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. This creates a window
from late August through early November to
enjoy the splendors of the Smokies.
Elevation profoundly affects when fall colors
change in the park. 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.
From early to mid-October, fall colors
develop above 4,000 feet. To enjoy them,
drive the Clingmans Dome Road, the Blue
Ridge Parkway, or the Foothills Parkway.
The fall color display usually reaches peak
at mid and lower elevations between mid-
October and early November. This is the
park’s most spectacular display as it includes
such colorful trees as sugar maple, scarlet
oak, sweetgum, red maple, and the hickories.
VACATIONmode | FALL 2017
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