Plan your drive through Great Smoky Mountains National Park now or you might miss peak fall colors.
The outlook for this year’s leaf peeping season has improved thanks to recent rain and cooler temperatures, according to experts.
“This weekend is definitely the weekend to visit the highest elevations,” arborist Travis Watson at East Tennessee State University said in a Oct. 2 update.
Previously, an abnormally hot September and dry conditions had posed the threat of delayed or dull fall colors, which typically peak in East Tennessee around mid- to late-October. But the forecast is looking more optimistic now.
“The rainfall and cooler temps came just in time for much of the region and have mitigated a lot of the stress,” Watson explained. “Based on what
I see and the data that’s available, it looks like we are pretty close to on schedule for our typical timing.”
Where are colors peaking soon?
The first strong displays of fall colors are already developing at the highest elevations in the Great Smoky Mountains.
Watson said these areas are showing moderate color now and should approach peak through the week of Oct. 5:
- Mount LeConte
- Mount Mitchell (North Carolina)
- Mount Rogers (Virginia)
- Roan Mountain
Mid-elevation areas are expected to approach peak colors around mid-October, according to Watson, with lower elevations peaking from late October into the first week of November.
Warmer weather could return by mid-October, but temperatures are not expected to be as hot as September's. Plus, foliage at many elevations will already be at or beyond its peak color to be affected.
When are the peak fall colors in the Great Smoky Mountains?
Smokymountains.com has an interactive 2026 Fall Foliage Map with a visual prediction of fall colors across the United States each week of the fall season. The tool cannot guarantee 100% accuracy but is helpful for planning.
Here’s what to expect this season and when it's best to plan those leaf-peeping visits.
East Tennessee fall colors: Week of Oct. 5
By early October, there should be a variety of fall colors across east and middle Tennessee. Partial and patchy colors are expected in the Smokies and Tennessee Valley, and then you’ll notice some changes as you move toward the Cumberland Plateau and further west.
East Tennessee fall colors: Week of Oct. 12
Start planning visits and day trips to Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The higher elevations of the Smokies will reach “near peak” colors, while most of the Tennessee River Valley and Middle Tennessee will have partial or patchy fall colors.
East Tennessee fall colors: Week of Oct. 19
Radiant reds, opulent oranges and brilliant browns will blanket the Great Smoky Mountains during mid-October. The Smokies, and even Knox County, are predicted to have peak colors during this time. The rest of East Tennessee can expect near peak or partial fall colors.
East Tennessee fall colors: Week of Oct. 26
The western parts of East Tennessee will reach peak colors during the final week of October, when Middle Tennessee will have near peak colors. Unfortunately, the beautiful fall colors in the Smoky Mountains region could be past their peak around this time, according to the smokymountains.com fall foliage map.
East Tennessee fall colors: Week of Nov. 2
By early November, it’s expected to be past peak colors in most of East Tennessee. But you can still catch them in Middle Tennessee.
East Tennessee fall colors: Week of Nov. 9
Fall leaves across most of the state are expected to turn dull and pass their peak by the second week of November. Peak colors can be admired in West Tennessee, though, if you don’t mind traveling to find leaf peeping spots.
East Tennessee fall colors: Week of Nov. 16
The entire state will be past peak colors, an early indicator that winter is coming.
How do fall colors in the Smoky Mountains look now? How to get updates
For up-to-date status of fall colors as the season progresses, East Tennessee State University produces a weekly fall color report for Southern Appalachia at etsu.edu/etsu-news. Tennessee’s official climate office is housed at ETSU.
Several webcams tracking the beauty of the Smoky Mountains and what the leaves look like can help you decide when the best time is to head to the Smokies to see them in person. These webcams can be found at visitmysmokies.com.
Devarrick Turner is a trending news reporter. Email devarrick.turner@knoxnews.com.
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This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Rain, cooler temps save leaf peeping season! When to head to the Smokies
