Find Out when Fall Foliage Colors Peak in East Tennessee

When the hot days of summer give way to cool autumn temperatures there is one thing that everyone wants to know. 'When do the fall foliage colors peak in East Tennessee?' is the question to ask. The answer to that question may surprise you. Fall colors peak in the upper and lower mountain regions at different times.

As East Tennessee natives, my family enjoys a mountain drive any time of year but autumn has a special glow. The air is cooler and it's easier for us to get out and enjoy the incredible East Tennessee mountains. Autumn hills are painted in natures colors of gold, red and yellow. Friends and family who are outside the area often ask my family about the peak season for the leaves.

Many of us hold the common belief that the colors peak in East Tennessee around mid-October. That's sort of true. The reality is that October is when the colors are most brilliant in the lower regions of the mountains. It is often not true for leaves in the higher elevations.

No one can predict peak color change with 100% accuracy. When it comes to brilliant fall foliage there is a multitude of factors that come into play. The amount of rainfall, the timing of temperature changes and length of day all play their part in the color changes of the fall foliage.

Generally, leaves in East Tennessee begin to change much earlier on the mountain crests than in the lower elevations. Higher regions display bright fall foliage before the leaves even begin to change near the valley. The leaves higher up often begin changing in mid-September. Visitors to East Tennessee can see fall colors come to a peak there around the beginning of October.

The fall colors work their way through the leaves from the tops of the mountains downward. Near the valleys of East Tennessee the fall foliage will begin to change in early October. The colors often peak here in the middle of October. Sometimes the peak can be as late as the first week of November.

All of this can make it challenging to plan an autumn drive in East Tennessee. It's a good thing that the National Forest Service can help us out with information on the leaves. Their fall foliage hotline opens the day after Labor Day. Visitors can dial 1-800-354-4595 find out where and when the leaves are changing. One quick call gives you the most up to date information.

Some people feel that autumn is the best time to visit East Tennessee and other people feel that every season is the right time to visit. Everyone can agree on one thing. The colors of the fall foliage leaves make visiting East Tennessee a trip to remember.