Tennessee Fall Foliage: Best Scenic Drives and Byways

Tennessee's peak fall colors typically change from mid to late October, with timing varying by region and elevation. 

• Northeast Tennessee: Late September to early October for towns near Bristol, TN/VA.
   
• Great Smoky Mountains region: Mid- to late October for Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge, Sevierville and other East Tennessee valley towns.
   
• Knoxville, Tennessee: Peak fall colors occur 3rd and 4th week of October.
   
• Chattanooga, Tennessee: Mid-October to early November is typically peak fall color for the area
   
• Nashville, Tennessee: Mid- to late-October and, in some years, early to mid-November
   
• Memphis, Tennessee: End of October to early November
   

East Tennessee's roadways have received national and state recognition for their scenic beauty; this part of the state has two National Scenic Byways and the majority of the Tennessee Scenic Byways. These highways are identified with signage featuring the Tennessee mockingbird.

The Cherohala Skyway National Scenic Byway lets you drive through stunning Tennessee fall foliage as you ascend into the deeply forested Southern Appalachian Mountains on the Tennessee-North Carolina border. 

• The Cherohala Skyway goes from 800 feet in elevation to 5,300 feet, providing breathtaking fall photo opportunities.
   
• 15 overlooks including Turkey Creek Overlook in Tellico Plains
   
• Cherokee National Forest is a major stop off for hiking, waterfalls and views
   
• Tellico Plains – Bald River Falls waterfall hike, Conasauga Falls waterfall hike, Baby Falls, Tellico Grains Bakery and more
   
• Tail of the Dragon is a popular, classic road for motorcyclists. Combine the Cherohala Skyway with the Tail of the Dragon for a full 138-mile adventure.
   
• Route distance: 43 miles
   
• Estimated drive time: About 2 hours
   
• Starting/ending cities: The Cherohala Skyway begins on the western end of Tellico Plains, Tennessee (TN-165) and ends in Robbinsville, North Carolina (NC-143).
   
• Restroom and gas availability: Food and fuel are available in Tellico Plains, Tennessee.
   

The Tennessee Overhill region is also along the Ocoee Scenic Byway. It unspools through a historic copper and coal mining area and features steep bluffs, rushing rivers and peaks shrouded in mist. 

• The Hiwassee River Road, named after Tennessee's first state scenic river
   
• Runs through the Cherokee National Forest and Ocoee River Gorge
   
• Chilhowee Mountain Overlook
   
• Sugarloaf Mountain – Day-use hikes
   
• Nearby Benton Falls waterfall hiking trail
   
• Ducktown, Tennessee – Ducktown Basin Museum, whitewater rafting, local shopping and local restaurants
   
• Cleveland, Tennessee – Museum Center at 5ive Points, Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum, The River Maze, Black Fox Farms, Apple Valley Orchard and Morris Vineyard & Tennessee Mountain View Winery
   
• Route distance: 26 miles
   
• Estimated drive time: About 1 hour
   
• Starting/ending cities: Starts near Ocoee, Tennessee and ends in Ducktown, Tennessee
   
• Restroom and gas availability: No gas stations are located directly on the enclosed Forest Service byway. Fuel up on either end of the 26-mile route either in Ocoee, Tennessee or Ducktown, Tennessee. Restrooms are located near the Sugarloaf Mountain day use area, Ocoee Dam No. 2 parking area and the Ocoee Whitewater Center with outdoor public restrooms.

This southeastern corner of Tennessee also features the Sequatchie Valley Scenic Byway, or State Route 28, which follows the contours of the Sequatchie River.

• Towns along the route include Jasper, South Pittsburg, Whitwell, Dunlap and Pikeville
   
• The best scenic vista overlook is located on the TN-111 Sequatchie Valley Overlook in Dunlap, Tennessee which gives you views of the valley, winding river and bluff lines. 
   
• You could also park your car at Savage Gulf State Park and hike the Great Stone Door trail to enjoy the overlook at the top.
   
• Historic sites include the Children’s Holocaust Museum in Whitwell, Tennessee; the site of Wheeler’s Raid from the Civil War; and the Historic Bellview School in Pikeville, Tennessee.
   
• Route distance: 70 miles 
   
• Estimated drive time: About 2 hours without stops. Plan to take 3-4 hours if you intend to stop at overlooks, explore the historic small towns, or take short hikes.
   
• Starting/ending cities: The southern end is located in South Pittsburg, Tennessee. The northern end is located in Pikeville, Tennessee.
   
• Restroom and gas availability: Gas stations and public restrooms are clustered among the historic small towns along the Sequatchie Valley Scenic Byway route. Towns include Jasper, South Pittsburg, Whitwell, Dunlap and Pikeville.

The Great Smoky Mountains Byway, which leads into the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, winds through the foothills and offers many fall foliage photo opportunities of mountains thick with evergreens and hardwoods.

• Commonly referred to as Newfound Gap Road/US 441
   
• Explore the oldest rivers in America
   
• Travel through towns such as Lenoir City, Maryville, Newport, Greeneville, Johnson City, and Elizabethton, Tennessee.
   
• Overlooks include Chimney Tops, Carlos C. Campbell Overlook, and along the Foothills Parkway.
   
• Route distance: 200 miles
   
• Estimated drive time: 1-2.5 hours without stops. Plan for 4-6 hours for a full sightseeing trip.
   
• Starting/ending cities: The Great Smoky Mountains Byway starts in Lenoir City, Tennessee and ends in Elizabethton, Tennessee.
   
• Restroom and gas availability: Fill up with gas in Gatlinburg downtown before you enter the Great Smoky Mountains National Park as there are no gas stations inside the national park boundaries. There are public restrooms that are widely available. Once you make it on the other side of the park, there are gas stations found in the small towns along the route. 

• U.S. Highway 27 in Morgan and Scott counties bears the essence of Tennessee as the seasons change — white-frame churches decorated with autumn leaves, roadside farm stands selling pumpkins and squash, and quilt shops and antiques stores radiating with the season’s warm glow. 
   
• State Route 63 across Scott, Campbell and Claiborne counties rambles through a sparsely populated rural area full of scenic locations in the fall. 
   
• Tennessee has 16 self-guided driving trails called Discover Tennessee Trails & Byways that meander throughout the state. You can follow a trail for a day or several as they lead you to historic small towns, rural hiking areas and charming shops and bed & breakfasts.

Motorists on the East Tennessee Crossing National Scenic Byway travel a course steeped in history. 

• Follow the paths of David Crockett, the Cherokee Nation, and find towns full of fishing, farm fresh produce, quilts, crafts and more 
   
• Find overlooks in national parks on the route such as Cumberland Gap National Historical Park and Great Smoky Mountains National Park
   
• Towns along the route include Dandridge, Tazewell, Newport, Morristown, and Bean Station
   
• Crockett Tavern Museum in Morristown shares the life and times of the famous frontiersman David Crockett
   
• Dandridge is full of antique shops and cozy cafes
   
• Tazewell is home to the Tazewell Speedway that hosts dirt track racing
   
• Overlooks include the Veterans Overlook Memorial in Bean Station, Pinnacle Overlook at Cumberland Gap National Historical Park, and Kuwohi in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park
   
• Route distance: 83 miles
   
• Estimated drive time: 3-4 hours allows for a casual day trip with stops
   
• Starting/ending cities: The East Tennessee Crossing National Scenic Byway starts in the Cumberland Gap area at the Kentucky state line and ends near Del Rio/Newport, Tennessee near the North Carolina state border.
   
• Restroom and gas availability: Restrooms and gas stations are widely available in the towns along the route and at regular intervals as the byway runs along major multi-lane highways like US-25E and US-25/70. 

• 2,156 acres of adventure can be found at Roan Mountain State Park. 
   
• 12 miles of day-use hiking trails
   
• 3 miles of mountain bike trails
   
• Fishing in the Doe River
   
• Ongoing closures since severe weather in September 2024 include the Upper Campground, partial closure of Blue 2 Trail, Bear Wallow Trail and Birchfield Trail. View trail updates here.
   
• Hours of operation: 
  Visitor Center
  8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. daily
   
• Parking: Parking is available at the Visitor Center & Museum, the Chestnut Ridge overlook and the Recreation Area. Check out the state park map for detailed information.
•  
• Accessibility: All-terrain wheelchairs are available to reserve on a first-come, first-served basis. A colorblind viewfinder is located near the trailhead of the Chestnut Ridge Trail. The Chestnut Ridge Overlook has a stunning view of Roan Mountain's Highlands. Two adult-sized changing tables are located at Shelter 1. Each table utilizes a remote to adjust the height of the table. Wheelchair-friendly parking is available at the Visitor Center and Interpretive Museum. RV Campsites 17, 18, 42, 43, 45, and 49 are wheelchair-friendly. They must be specifically requested when booking a reservation. Call 1-888-867-2757 to request an ADA accommodation.
   
• Nearby stays: Because of Roan Mountain State Park's remote location, the best accommodations are the campsites onsite as well as the standard 1-bedroom cabins and 2-bedroom cabins. 

Additionally, the Tennessee Department of Tourist Development installed the first-ever scenic viewers outfitted with color vision deficiency technology in 15 of the most beautiful lookouts across the state such as Fiery Gizzard State Park in Monteagle; Fall Creek Falls State Park in Spencer; and Paris Landing State Park in Buchanan. People who have never seen the full spectrum of Tennessee fall colors can experience the beauty. Each of our Colorblind Viewers are outfitted with innovative EnChroma® lenses designed to alleviate red-green colorblindness. This spectral lens technology enables people with colorblindness to see a broader range of clear, vibrant color through Tennessee's spectacular fall foliage.