Top 10 Reasons to Plan a Smoky Mountains October Getaway

Visiting the Smoky Mountains is a real treat no matter the time of year that you go. But, planning a Smoky Mountains October getaway is truly something special.

For starters, October in the Smokies is usually the peak of the fall foliage season. Your jaw will drop and your eyes will widen as you watch the fall colors travel down the mountains, surrounding you with magnificent hues of red, green, yellow, and orange.

But, the Smokies offer so much more than a spectacular display of color in October. There are lots of fun fall festivals, once-in-a-lifetime views, championship-level golfing, plenty of tourist attractions, and so much more.

Fall is the perfect time to go exploring and have some memorable outdoor adventures, so get out and start exploring the Smokies!

The Fall Colors Are One-in-a-Million

As previously mentioned, early to mid-October is the primary season for seeing peak colors in the Smokies. At higher elevations, autumn colors can come early depending on the weather, but the colors at lower elevations usually develop in October.

The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is a great place to see the full spectrum of fall colors, and there are so many cool spots to visit for magnificent views. If you’re on the hunt for colorful fall foliage in the Smoky Mountains, check out some of these spots:

• Kuwohi (fka Clingmans Dome) Road: This is one of the most popular spots in the Smoky Mountains because you can get to the highest point in the Smokies and see awesome views from more than 6,000 feet up.
• Rainbow Falls Trail: This is located near the Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail and is considered somewhat demanding. The hike is almost 7 miles to Mount LeConte, the Smokies’ third-highest summit.
• Gatlinburg Space Needle: Located in downtown Gatlinburg, you can see incredible colors and get panoramic October views from this observation deck.

The Weather Is Just Perfect

No matter where you are, October is one of the best times of the year to be outside. That’s even more true in the Smoky Mountains! The blazing heat of summer starts to drop off in September, and by October, the cooler temperatures roll in.

During October in the Smokies, the daytime temperatures top off at around 65 degrees Fahrenheit. This makes October the perfect time to go exploring in Gatlinburg, go hiking in the Smokies, or just breathe in the fresh mountain air.

There Are Numerous Fun Fall Festivals

As if perfect weather and beautiful fall colors aren’t enough, there are lots of fall seasonal events in the Smoky Mountains, including a few in October. After you’ve marveled at the colors, attend one of the marvelous fall festivals that happen in October. You’ll be glad that you did! Some of our favorites include:

• Oktoberfest at Ober Gatlinburg is unlike any other Oktoberfest celebration you’ve seen. This popular resort in Gatlinburg transforms for a six-week celebration, complete with German food, plenty of beer, entertainment, and more.
• The Gatlinburg Craftsmen’s Fair takes place annually in October and is the perfect place to find some great handmade items as you watch master artisans demonstrate their crafts right in front of your eyes.
• The Dollywood Harvest Festival runs from mid-September through October and is the perfect opportunity to visit Dollywood, one of the most popular Smoky Mountain theme parks.
• It brings the beauty of autumn to Dollywood, complete with illuminated sculptures, lighted pumpkins, and delicious fall treats, so be sure to check it out.

You Can Get in Touch With Nature

The fall colors in the Smoky Mountains are awesome indeed, but there are so many more great things to see and do outside in October during your visit.

If you’re a fisherman, October is a great time to cast your line in the waters of the national park. As the weather cools, the pesky insects go away, and you’re left to try your hand at catching colorful, feisty trout.

Though most of the national park is covered by forest, October is also a great time to do some wildlife viewing.

Open areas like Cades Cove offer chances to see deer, raccoons, black bears, turkeys, and lots of other critters in their natural habitats. You may have your best luck in the early morning and early evening, so bring your binoculars and keep your eyes peeled.

The Hikes Are Varied and Scenic

With the diversity of trees creating beautiful colors all around you and lots of elevation changes, October is a great time to hike the Smokies. Depending on your comfort level and how long of a hike you want to take, the Smokies offer a number of fun trails for exploring. Here are some of our favorites:

• The Appalachian Trail: This trail is one of the most well-known in the Smokies. It stretches for more than 2,000 miles and is best covered in a 3.4-mile round-trip loop across Newfound Gap.
• Mt. Cammerer: This is another classic Smoky Mountains hiking trail that takes you on a 12-mile trek round trip. You don’t have to hike the whole thing, but the views on the trail are excellent. Plus, you can brag if you go the whole way.
• Gregory Bald Trail: This is one of the park’s more strenuous trails, but the views you get are totally worth it. High above Cades Cove, you’ll get amazing views of the mountains and the fall colors in the park’s southeastern end. Be prepared because the distance is more than 11 miles round trip.
• Andrews Bald Trail: This is a hike of moderate difficulty, and the trail has been transformed in recent years to make it easier to walk. The trail is 3.5 miles round trip, and the end is a great spot for a picnic.

The Photos Are Colorful and Vibrant

Some spots during a Smoky Mountains October adventure are just so beautiful that you really need to see them with your own eyes. Your fall trip wouldn’t be complete without some pictures to remember it. Whether you’re hiking to certain vantage points or on a driving tour, have your camera ready.

Check out Cades Cove, where you can drive on an 11-mile, one-way loop to see fall colors and a host of wildlife. Kuwohi, the highest point in the Smokies is also awesome and has an observation tower where you can get panoramic photos. And, don’t forget about Cataloochee, one of the more picturesque areas of the whole park.

You Can Take Zip Lines Through the Smokies

If you really want a different way to take in the stunning views of the Smoky Mountains in October, then take a zip line ride.

You can find various zip line companies in Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge, Sevierville, and Townsend, so you don’t have to go far. When you’re zipping through the trees at 40 mph, you won’t be able to wipe the smile from your face.

If you’ve ever wondered what it would be like to see the Smokies from the same vantage point as squirrels and birds, you don’t have to wonder anymore. Instead, you can strap in, enjoy the view, and have an unforgettable experience.

Playing Golf Is Very Relaxing

Whether you’re an occasional player or a dedicated golfer, October is the perfect time to enjoy the golf courses of the Smokies. Why? The weather is just perfect — not too hot, not too cold.

Also, you can enjoy a casual pace with beautiful scenery all around you. Some of our favorite courses include:

• Bent Creek Golf Course: This Gatlinburg course is a Smoky Mountain favorite. Designed by Gary Player, it offers a challenging 72-par round on a championship-level course.
• Gatlinburg Golf Course: This course, which was recently renovated, takes full advantage of the beautiful rolling landscape of Pigeon Forge to offer a scenic round of golf with lush greenery on each hole.

Horseback Riding Offers an Amazing POV

Viewing the Smoky Mountains on foot in October is a great way to see the landscape, but horseback riding is a great way to see it too.

Cades Cove offers a chance to enjoy, the relaxing calm of a horseback ride. There are also many places nearby, including Sugarlands and Smokemont, where you can go and explore the Smokies in a whole new way.

The Waterfalls Are Simply Marvelous

TLC famously sang, “Don’t go chasing waterfalls,” but if you’re in the Smokies in October, that’s just what you want to do.

Before the cold of winter sets in, lace up your hiking boots to go looking for any of the park’s scenic, beautiful waterfalls. With a backdrop of colorful trees like yellow birch, mountain maple, American beech, and so many others, the waterfalls are truly spectacular.

Check out Laurel Falls, Rainbow Falls, Grotto Falls, or any of the other waterfalls in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Trust us — they’re well worth the hikes.

Plan Your Smoky Mountains October Trip Today

If you want to soak up all that Mother Nature has to offer, see as much vibrant fall color as you can, explore museums and shops, or take a scenic drive, you can do it all on your Smoky Mountains October adventure.

Start planning your next Smokies trip, and tell us what your favorite Smoky Mountain fall activities are!