If you haven’t had the chance to experience the beauty of fall in the Smokies yet, we highly suggest that you and your family make this year the year you finally visit during the autumn season. Here are a few scenic places to include in your itinerary to see the Smoky Mountains fall colors:
Zipline Tours
What better way to admire panoramic views of the Smoky Mountains fall colors than from high above the treetops on one of the area’s many exciting zip lines? Not only will you and your family have a front-row seat for all the beautiful autumn foliage but also add a little adventure to your vacation to the Smokies. A couple of our favorite zip lines in the Smoky Mountains include:
- Legacy Mountain Ziplines– located in Sevierville just a few miles from the Pigeon Forge Parkway; features 7 lines for over 2.5 hours of thrills!
- Climb Works – located in Gatlinburg right next to the national park; features 6 side-by-side runs, 4 sky bridges, and more!
Smoky Mountain Hiking Trails
One of the best places to experience the fall foliage is the many hiking trails within the national park. With hundreds of miles of trails, there is one that’s accessible for every difficulty level. Here are a few of our favorites:
Beginner-friendly: Porters Creek
Hike to Mt. LeConte: Alum Cave
Waterfall hike: Rainbow Falls
Stunning views: Andrews Bald
Helicopter Tours
In case you are looking for an even better aerial view than the ones that zip lining can bring, why not experience a scenic helicopter tour to see the Smoky Mountains fall colors? These tours offer unbeatable views that guests cannot get anywhere else. Some of the top companies for helicopter tours in the Smoky Mountains are:
- Scenic Helicopter Tours– they have options for night flights, river ride tours, and national park tours, just to name a few.
- MyFlight Smoky Mountain Helicopter Rides– tours start at just $25, so there’s an affordable option for those wanting to stay under budget!
Cades Cove
Cades Cove is one of the most popular areas in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park for a reason, the 11-mile loop road offers some of the most incredible views of the Smoky Mountains fall colors. You can tour old homesteads and get a glimpse of how the early settlers lived and catch glimpses of wildlife, from black bears and turkeys to white-tailed deer.
Kuwohi
The highest peak in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Kuwohi is a great place for families to go to see a breathtaking panoramic view of the Smoky Mountains fall foliage. From the observation deck, visitors can see nearly 100 miles away on a clear day. The walk to the top is only a half mile and the path is paved, but be sure to wear comfortable shoes because the climb is pretty steep!
Smoky Mountain Cabin Rentals
It wouldn’t be right if we talked about all the scenic places where families can experience the Smoky Mountains fall colors without mentioning the gorgeous views that our Smoky Mountain cabin rentals offer. Our secluded cabins are ideal since there is no better place to enjoy a morning cup of coffee or to unwind after a fun-filled day than from a cabin deck overlooking the stunning mountain scenery.
These are some of our favorite things to do and places to go to see the Smoky Mountains fall colors. Browse all of our beautiful Smoky Mountain cabins with mountain views to find the perfect one for your fall getaway!
