Fall is one of the most beautiful times of the year in the Smoky Mountains. The natural landscape comes alive in shades of red, yellow, and orange all around. If you’re visiting the Smoky Mountains this fall, you’ll want to make sure you soak up as much of the fall scenery as possible. That’s why we’ve put together this list of some of the top places to see the best Smoky Mountain views this fall!
1. Clingmans Dome
The highest point in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park is Clingmans Dome, which is why it has some of the best Smoky Mountain views in fall. Clingmans Dome has an elevation of 6,643 feet and provides views that can expand over 100 miles in each direction on a clear day. To reach it, drive up Newfound Gap Road to Clingmans Dome Road. You can park in the parking area at the end of the road, then walk the half-mile paved trail to the observation tower. From the top, you’ll see 360-degree views of beautiful fall foliage covering the surrounding mountain landscape.
2. Newfound Gap
Another popular spot to see Smoky Mountain views in fall is Newfound Gap. You can take Newfound Gap Road up to Newfound Gap itself, which has an overlook with breathtaking views of the Smoky Mountains. You can park and get out of your vehicle to snap photos of the amazing fall colors scattered across the landscape. Also at Newfound Gap is the Rockefeller Memorial located on the Tennessee-North Carolina border. This is where President Franklin D. Roosevelt dedicated the Great Smoky Mountains National Park on September 2, 1940, as a national park for all the people to enjoy.
3. Mount LeConte
If you like to hike, the top of Mount LeConte is a great place to see some of the best Smoky Mountain views in the fall. The summit has an elevation of 6,593 feet, making it a great vantage point for spectacular panoramic views. There are six hiking trails that you can take to reach Mount LeConte, the most popular of which is the Alum Cave Trail. This hike is roughly 11 miles roundtrip and gains an elevation of 2,763 feet, providing plenty of opportunities to see various stages of fall colors at different elevations. You’ll then get to see views of the mountains decorated in autumn colors all around when you reach the summit.
4. Chimney Tops
Another great hike if you want to see amazing Smoky Mountain views this fall is the Chimney Tops Trail. You can find this trailhead on Newfound Gap Road. This is a great trail to hike if you want to see panoramic mountain views on a shorter hike. The roundtrip length of this hike is roughly 3.3 miles, but the elevation gain of 1,400 feet makes it a fairly difficult trail. The trail ends about one-quarter of a mile below the summit at an observation point that provides outstanding views of Mount LeConte and the surrounding mountains. In the fall, this is an especially outstanding view as the mountains come alive with vibrant autumn colors.
5. Smoky Mountain Cabin
One of the easiest ways to enjoy Smoky Mountain views this fall is right from your very own Smoky Mountain cabin with spectacular views. You can bask in the beauty of the fall-covered mountains from the deck of your cabin rental as you relax on the porch swing or in the warmth of the hot tub. These cabins have large windows so you can also enjoy the mountain views and fall scenery from the indoor comfort of your cabin in front of the fireplace or cuddled up under a blanket. Some cabins even have fire pits so you can spend more time outdoors enjoying the breathtaking fall views while staying warm by the fire.
Stay in a Smoky Mountain Cabin with the Best Fall Views
These are some of the best places to see the most spectacular Smoky Mountain views this fall. If you’re interested in soaking up as much of the natural fall beauty as possible, make sure you stay in a Smoky Mountain cabin that offers amazing views. Check out this list of the top fall cabin rentals with the best views so you can make the most of your fall vacation!
