KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — Fall officially begins on Saturday, Sept. 23 and the leaves are beginning to change.
The end of September is when East Tennessee starts seeing its fall colors before peaking in mid-October. On average, leaves start to change in early October in the higher elevations in the Smokies.
According to the Smoky Mountains fall foliage prediction map, East Tennessee should expect partial to minimal change. Between Oct. 2 and Oct. 16, you can expect to see leaves at its peak.
Here are some natural areas or scenic drives you can check out:
Anderson County
- Devil’s Triangle in Rocky Top
- Norris Dam State Park in Rocky Top
- Windrock Park in Oliver Springs
Blount County
- Little River Run in Townsend
- The Tail of the Dragon
- Tuckaleechee Caverns Trail in Townsend
Campbell County
- Cove Lake State Park in Caryville
- Cumberland Trail State Park in Caryville
- Jellico Mountain
Claiborne County
- Cumberland Gap
- State Route 63
Cocke County
- Brush Creek Mountain Loop
- Cherokee National Forest
- Martha Sundquist State Forest in Hartford
Cumberland County
- Cumberland Mountain State Park in Crossville
- Head of Sequatchie-Cumberland Trail State Park in Pikeville
- Ozone Falls State Natural Area in Rockwood
Fentress County
- Pogue Creek Canyon State Natural Area in Jamestown
- York Farm And Mill State Park in Pall Mall
Grainger County
- Veterans Overlook in Bean Station
Hamblen County
- Panther Creek State Park in Morristown
Hancock County
- Elrod Falls in Thorn Hill
Jefferson County
- Cherokee Dam Park in Jefferson City
- Douglas Lake
Knox County
- House Mountain in Corryton
- Seven Islands State Birding Park in Kodak
- Sharp’s Ridge in Knoxville
Loudon County
- Melton Hill Lake
Monroe County
- Cherohala Skyway
- Cherokee National Forest
Morgan County
- Frozen Head State Park in Wartburg
- Lone Mountain State Forest in Wartburg
Roane County
- Mt Roosevelt Scenic Overlook in Rockwood
- Roane County Park in Harriman
Scott County
- Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area in Oneida
Sevier County
- Gatlinburg Space Needle in Gatlinburg
- Ober Gatlinburg in Gatlinburg
- SkyLift Park in Gatlinburg
Union County
- Big Ridge State Park in Maynardville
- Chuck Swan State Forest in Sharps Chapel
