Fall Foliage in Gatlinburg TN

October is right around the corner! It’s time to start planning your trip to Gatlinburg TN to see the fall foliage. The reds, oranges, browns, and yellows are really vibrant starting in mid October. The mountains and the storefronts are alive with color in Gatlinburg. Fall foliage brings in many visitors wanting to view the scenery. Leaves start changing in September, progress during October and the first of November the leaves begin to fall off the trees.

Towards the end of September the leaves begin to change in Gatlinburg TN. As Fall progresses the colors become more noticeable. The leaves will begin to change colors at higher elevations but most of the different colors are from the flowers. You’ll see color change begin in the Sourwood trees, maple trees, and birch trees because they change before the rest of the trees. However, the main color at this time is still green.

October is a much cooler month than September and the chemical processes are sped up by cooler weather. The color of the leaves start to creep down the mountainside. The leaves in the trees on the mountains start to show the reds, oranges, and yellows. As the month progresses the colors become more vibrant giving the Smoky Mountains a beautiful glow. At the end of October there are very few green leaves still on trees.

November brings colder weather but some of the fall colors are still on the leaves during the first week...possibly the second. Frost starts to take the coloring away and the leaves fall to the ground. Old Man Winter has come to town and most trees have shaken the remaining leaves off.

Fall foliage is one of the best times to visit the Smoky Mountains. A great way to experience the colors is to hop in the car and go for a drive. The Smoky Mountain National Park has many trails to take hikes on. The views along the trails and at the tops of trailheads will provide you with breathtaking views of all the colors.

The easiest way to take part in Fall Foliage is to reserve one of the many Gatlinburg TN cabins that the area has to offer. The views from some of the cabins are great all year, but they peak during October. A cup of coffee, a cool morning, and a great cabin can relieve a lot stress.

America's Best Documentary

World renowned filmmaker Ken Burns has been working on a documentary of National Parks in the US for the past 6 years. The documentary is named "The National Parks: America's Best Ideas". He has finally finished and will be showing a 26 minute preview in select cities. Gatlinburg TN was chosen to be one of those few cities!

This preview is a small glimpse into the hard work and dedication that Ken has put into the documentary these past few years. The actual length of the movie is 12 hours long! PBS will be airing the whole thing in 2 hour segments. The first segment will begin on September 27.

Gatlinburg Office of Special Events and Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies welcomes Ken and his documentary to be viewed in the lobby at the Aquarium. Showings will be held between July 21-September 26. These showings are being held at a time that is a milestone for the Smoky Mountain Area. The Smokey Mountains National Park has reached it's 75th anniversary this year. The area has come a long way since the Smokies were first dedicated.

If you'll be in the Gatlinburg area between July 21 and September 26 you should stop by Ripley's Aquarium to catch the sneak peek at "The National Parks: America's Best Ideas". It's educational and also gives a little history about the area you're visiting.