Great Smoky Mountains, Tennesseefall foliage
No reports yet this season for Great Smoky Mountains. It usually peaks Oct 1–Nov 10.
Right now in Great Smoky Mountains · September
- Cades Cove car-free Wednesdays · May–Sep
3days to the next fall foliage seasonusually Oct 1–Nov 10
Next 7 days
- Rain likely · up to 63% chanceSunday, Sunday Night
National Weather Service forecast, issued Mon 7:06 AM (Eastern). Frost: a low of 36°F or less; wind: 20 mph or more; rain: 60% chance or more.
Frost near Great Smoky Mountains
First frost usually in ~4 weeks
Oct 25Average first fall frost
Apr 17Average last spring frost
The day a 32°F night is as likely as not, 1991–2020, at NOAA's Gatlinburg 2 SW station (1.8 mi away, 1,454 ft). Source ↗ (opens in a new tab)
Great Smoky Mountains through the year
- Snow most likelyJan–Feb
- Spring wildflowersApr–May
- Cades Cove car-free WednesdaysNowMay–Sep
- Synchronous firefliesMay–Jun
- Elkmont closed after noon on firefly nights (reservations and campers only)May–Jun
- Fall colorOct–Nov
Best spots around Great Smoky Mountains
- Cades Cove Loop RoadBusy one-way loop drive
- Roaring Fork Motor Nature TrailBusy one-way drive
- Foothills ParkwayThree sections just outside the park
- Lakeview DriveQuiet drive with views of Fontana Lake
Around Tennessee this week
- Cherokee National Forest38 mi · usually Oct 11–Nov 10Todaydry and calmTuedry and calmWeddry and calmThudry and calmFridry and calmSatdry and calmSunrain likely
- Big South Fork85 mi · Statewide: well under way by ~Oct 21Todaydry and calmTuedry and calmWeddry and calmThudry and calmFridry and calmSatdry and calmSunrain likely
- Natchez Trace Parkway225 mi · Parkway's timing for Old Trace Drive in Tennessee: fall colors in mid to late OctoberTodaydry and calmTuedry and calmWeddry and calmThudry and calmFridry and calmSatdry and calmSunrain likely
Trees this fall (Sep 15–21). Across the Southern Appalachians, every species with enough observations is close to a typical year. Which trees turn when →
Great Smoky Mountains in pictures
How we know
National Weather Service forecast and alerts (opens in a new tab) (Sep 28) · USA National Phenology Network, colored leaves observations (opens in a new tab) (Sep 28) · National Park Service, Great Smoky Mountains synchronous fireflies (opens in a new tab) (Sep 27) · National Park Service, Great Smoky Mountains firefly viewing dates, 2026 news release (opens in a new tab) (Sep 27) · NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (annual/seasonal) (opens in a new tab) (Sep 27) · National Park Service, Great Smoky Mountains fall color (opens in a new tab) (Sep 26) · National Park Service, Great Smoky Mountains wildflowers (opens in a new tab) (Sep 26) · National Park Service, Cades Cove (opens in a new tab) (Sep 26) · National Park Service, Great Smoky Mountains weather (opens in a new tab) (Sep 26)
Questions people ask
When is peak fall foliage in Great Smoky Mountains in 2026?
There's no forecast yet. In a typical year it peaks Oct 1–Nov 10. We add the forecast as soon as one is published.
How is the fall color in Great Smoky Mountains right now?
Not now: the fall foliage season is over for this year. The next one starts in about 3 days (usually Oct 1–Nov 10).
Which parts turn first?
The high country. Above 4,000 feet, color usually develops in early to mid-October; below 4,000 feet the best color tends to come from mid-October to early November.Source: National Park Service, Great Smoky Mountains fall color ↗ (opens in a new tab)
Where are the best spots in Great Smoky Mountains?
Cades Cove Loop Road: busy one-way loop drive; Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail: busy one-way drive; Foothills Parkway: three sections just outside the park; Lakeview Drive: quiet drive with views of Fontana Lake.
Are there closures or permits to know about in Great Smoky Mountains?
Elkmont closed after noon on firefly nights (reservations and campers only) (May–Jun).
What is Great Smoky Mountains like through the year?
Spring wildflowers (Apr–May), Synchronous fireflies (May–Jun), Cades Cove car-free Wednesdays (May–Sep), Fall color (Oct–Nov), Snow most likely (Jan–Feb) and Elkmont closed after noon on firefly nights (reservations and campers only) (May–Jun).