Ridge upon ridge of endless forest straddles the border between North Carolina and Tennessee in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, one of the largest protected areas in the Eastern United States. World renowned for the diversity of its plant and animal life, the beauty of its ancient mountains, the quality of its remnants of Southern Appalachian mountain culture, and the depth and integrity of its wilderness sanctuary, the park attracts over nine million visitors each year. Once a part of the Cherokee homeland, the Smokies today are a hiker's paradise with over 800 miles of trails.

Fall Leaf Colors The timing of fall color change depends upon so many variables that peak season is impossible to predict in advance. Typically, fall color can be seen in the park's higher elevations (above 4,500 feet) in early October and at low to mid elevations (between 800-4,500 feet) from the middle of October through early November. The most vivid colors occur at low to mid elevations. Elevations of popular destinations in the park. Mid-October update: The leaf season has been slow getting started this year. At mid-month, most trees in the park were still green. Based on this, we estimate that the best low to mid elevation colors will not occur until later in October and may even hold off until early in November. The park's two webcams allow you to see how fall colors are progressing in the park:

Look Rock webcam
Purchase Knob webcam

Road and Trail Closures Several roads in the park are currently closed. For updated road and weather information, call (865) 436-1200.