Elevation destination guide
Planning a Smoky Mountain foliage trip
Follow the colors by elevation, and keep your plans flexible.
A season, not a guaranteed date
Autumn color generally develops at higher elevations first and moves lower as the season progresses. Weather and individual tree species change the timing. A colorful overlook does not mean the cabin’s trees have reached the same stage. Use our conditions page to distinguish seasonal estimates from dated regional reports.
Choose a flexible scenic day
Check National Park Service road alerts before setting out. Newfound Gap Road, Roaring Fork and Cades Cove offer very different drives; seasonal closures and congestion can affect all three. Bring layers and keep an indoor alternative ready. A park parking tag is required when parking longer than 15 minutes; admission to the park itself is free.