Top 6 Reasons to Experience Fall in the Smoky Mountains

Imagine kicking back on your private deck with a view of brilliant fall foliage to dazzle you. That’s fall in the Smokies! Here are six reasons to make your fall vacation a mountain getaway.

1. Crisp, Fresh Mountain Air

Throw open your cabin’s windows! You’re doing more than enjoying nature, you’re also boosting your health. Did you know that fresh air tends to have more oxygen and fewer pollutants than indoor air? Increased oxygen benefits blood pressure, digestion, and concentration. Studies show that fresh air reduces stress. And let’s be honest--what’s more energizing than a deep breath of mountain air?

2. Relaxing Fall Hikes

Whether your idea of relaxation is a casual stroll or an invigorating hike, the Smokies have the right hikes for you. The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is home to more than 800 miles of trails for all levels of experience. The easy Gatlinburg Trail is good for beginning hikers and families. Easy, paved Laurel Falls Trail takes you to a soothing waterfall. For a moderate hike, try the short but steep Chimney Tops Trail, where you ascend more than 1,400 feet. Rainbow Falls Trail is a moderate hike that rewards you with an 80-foot-high waterfall.

3. Vibrant Fall Colors

Red maples and scarlet oaks flame up while beech and birch add golden hues. Breathtaking fall leaves are the Smokies’ claim to fame. Nailing down “peak season” for color is tough, but fall color lasts around seven weeks from mid-September into early November, starting earliest at the highest elevations and gradually cascading down to the valleys. All you have to do is look out your cabin window and revel in nature’s show.

4. Restful Cabin Vacations

Choose a rental cabin for your Smoky Mountain fall getaway. A cabin offers privacy and space, things you won’t get in a hotel. A cabin lets you choose: Dine out, stay in and cook, or just grab takeout? Find a cabin with the amenities and location you find most relaxing. Want to be next to a sparkling creek? Have a mountain view? Have access to a swimming pool? Enjoy a game room or in-cabin movie theater? You get to choose!

5. See the Wildlife

Animals abound here. About 1,500 black bears are the park’s charming mascots. More than 200 species of feathered friends thrill bird-watchers. Kids (and adults) who love spotting reptiles will want to watch for the 30 species of salamanders that give the park its nickname as the “salamander capital of the world.” Spot animals from your cabin, along your hike, or from your car.

6. Popular Driving Trails and Destinations

For stunning foliage, drive the Foothills Parkway, Newfound Gap Road, and Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail. History buffs will love the Cades Cove Loop Road for its grist mill, barns, log houses, and other remnants of old settlements. Cooler fall weather is great for picnicking, too. The park features dozens of picnic sites right off the road yet close to streams and woods.

Don’t miss fall in the Smoky Mountains. Book your cabin in the Smoky Mountains today!