18 Prettiest Places For Fall Foliage In Tennessee

Luxuriate in the the autumn splendor when the leaves begin to turn.

Fact checked by Jillian Dara

We might be known for our hot and humid summers and less-than-frosty winters, but don't be mistaken: Southerners are privy to autumn seasons so colorful and crisp you'd be sad to miss it. Down here, you'll find mountain vistas bursting with bright orange, yellow, and red—and many of these awe-inspiring autumn sights can be found right in the rolling ranges of the Smokies and across the great state of Tennessee. In fact, according to the National Park Service , Great Smoky Mountains National Park is the second most visited park in the entire National Park System. Don't let autumn give way to winter without putting "Rocky Top" on the radio and heading up to Tennessee to get your fill of fall color. Here are the 18 prettiest spots to see Tennessee's stunning fall foliage .

Fall Creek Falls State Park

Everyone knows that waterfalls facilitate some of the most vibrant fall foliage in the landscape, and Tennessee's Fall Creek Falls State Park is a great place to see the phenomenon in action. One of the states most-visited parks, it's calling cards are an abundance of waterfalls as well as gorges, streams, and foliage-adorned hardwood trees.

Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Straddling the border between Tennessee and North Carolina, this national park is famous for its fall color—and there are plenty of places across its acreage to put on your list. Clingmans Dome, one of its most popular spots, offers a 360-degree view of the mountains. If you're there during peak color change, it should be your first stop.

Newfound Gap Road

If you're in Great Smoky Mountains National Park and want a view you don't have to work for (and aren't we all looking for less strenuous journeys?), Newfound Gap Road, a pass through the mountains, lets you catch all of the fall color from your car. (Fun fact: It's also where former president Franklin D. Roosevelt delivered his speech during the grand opening of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.)

Cades Cove

Within Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Cades Cove and North Carolina's nearby Cataloochee Valley (where elk roam free) boast scenic hikes worth hitting. A drive along Cades Cove Loop Road will send you through the scenes, which are ringed with rising tree lines and brightly turning trees during the autumn months.

Gatlinburg, Tennessee

Don't forget about this colorful alpine village . In town, you'll find plenty of distractions, including The Village Shops , moonshine counters, and wine tastings. But we're after one thing, and that's fall foliage. For that, take the SkyLift and walk the longest pedestrian suspension bridge in North America, the SkyBridge. You'll be overlooking both Gatlinburg and the Smokies in one fell swoop.

Natchez Trace State Parkway

Get your fall color photos off the 200-foot-tall, double arch Natchez Trace Parkway Bridge that stands above the valley in this stretch of Middle Tennessee. Within Natchez Trace State Park, you'll find a beautiful display of brightly hued trees reflected over the waters of Pin Oak Lake. Rent a kayak, and get paddling.

Pigeon Forge, Tennessee

Whether driving a scenic loop through the Smokies or lacing up your hiking boots to hit the trails, you can experience the colors and scenes of fall in Pigeon Forge . Keep your eyes open for wildlife like elk and deer as well as historic grist mills and log cabins while you gaze at the changing leaves. The views of the waterfalls here are especially magical at this time of year.

Tellico Plains, Tennessee

This self-dubbed "vintage mountain town" is just the place to call home base for the weekend. From there, hit the mile-high Cherohala Skyway , which ventures 23 miles into the deeply forested back country of Tennessee, connecting Tellico Plains, Tennessee, to Robbinsville, North Carolina. The tiny town sits right in the foothills of the Smokies and offers close access to the bright fall foliage within the Cherokee National Forest as well.

Chattanooga, Tennessee

Chattanooga pairs your classic fall foliage adventure with all the creature comforts of a quirky mountain city. Explore by foot, bike, train, boat, or even Segway—from downtown to Lookout Mountain, it's full of fall color. Our personal favorite excursion: fall color cruises along the Tennessee River on a riverboat. From there, make sure to catch breathtaking vista views from Signal Point, Sunset Rock, or Raccoon Mountain.

Meeman-Shelby Forest State Park

Cross two things off your fall bucket list: fall color and famous barbecue. Meeman-Shelby Forest State Park is located only about 15 miles north of Memphis, which means you'll have time to hit one of our South's Best barbecue joints ,Central BBQ, during your trip. The Tennessee park also borders the Mississippi River and offers more than 20 miles of trails, as well as vacation rentals and activities along the shores of Poplar Tree Lake.

Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area

With its 125,000 acres of land along the Cumberland Plateau, this spot is a dream to see in autumn. Explore the sights of Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area by saddling up and hitting over 200 miles of horse trails. If you're more into old-school mountain wandering, the hiking trails offer plenty of opportunities to catch fall color in action—or with your camera. You might stumble upon natural wonders like the Twin Arches (via the Twin Arches Loop Trail).

Tennessee Valley

For a unique way to view fall's colors in the Tennessee Valley, sit back and experience the changing landscape from the rails with a ride on a vintage train . Along the riverside or from the valley, take a half-day loop through the lower Hiwassee River Gorge or glimpse the foliage on a shorter one-hour trip. Whichever route you choose, you'll want a window seat.

Franklin, Tennessee

Located along the Natchez Trace Parkway, Franklin is a popular spot to visit at any time of year. With its charming downtown and excellent road trip routes, as well as a plethora of outdoor adventures to be had, it's a great weekend destination. However, things are taken up a notch in autumn, when the forests light up in red, orange, and copper tones.

Leiper's Fork, Tennessee

This tiny town goes big on foliage when autumn comes around each year. You can see it in town or at the mileposts along the Natchez Trace Parkway, which winds through the area. There is no shortage of charming autumnal vignettes to find in Leiper's Fork . Hiking and biking trails also cut through the forests in this area, giving you prime leaf-peeping opportunities via foot or two wheels.

Sewanee, Tennessee

Situated on the Cumberland Plateau, the campus of The University of the South (also known as "The Domain") encompasses more than 3,000 acres of picturesque Tennessee landscape. When the leaves change in the fall, it's a sight to see. Check out one of the Sewanee campus overlooks, such as Morgan's Steep, Green's View, or The Cross, for a bird's-eye view of the changing leaves.

Roan Mountain State Park

Along the Appalachian trail at the border of North Carolina and Tennessee, you'll find Roan Mountain and its namesake state park. The mountain rises 6,285 feet high, and the state park stretches over 2,000 rolling acres of color-changing hardwoods. There are camping opportunities and cabins to book if you'd like to stay awhile and bask in the autumn splendor.

Bristol, Tennessee

It might be known as the birthplace of country music and NASCAR, but Bristol has even more things to talk about these days. How about a rainbow of fall color for your consideration? The town straddles the line between Tennessee and Virginia, putting it right in the Appalachian foothills with access to the Cherokee National Forest . Hop on the Appalachian Trail for a spell, and take in the sights. But don't leave before listening to live music back in town.

Little River

Along Little River Road, which travels between Gatlinburg and Cades Cove, you'll see some of the most vibrant foliage in the area. It's a route that can lead you to various overlooks, trails, and waterfalls. As its name would suggest, it follows the Little River, which has excellent fishing prospects under the colorful canopies.

For more Southern Living news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter!

Read the original article on Southern Living .