TN Fall Colors: When & Where To See The Best Fall Colors In Tennessee (Tips From A Local)

When Do The Leaves Change Color In Tennessee?

In Tennessee, we see the leaves typically start changing color in early October and reach their peak around the third week of the month. This can vary slightly — depending on recent weather conditions and elevation.

For example, drought-stressed trees are likely to change colors and lose their leaves sooner than normal. A bit of rain can help to slow down the rapid color change and loss of leaves.

An early color change in trees is indeed a clear indication of stress. What exactly can cause stress to trees? We’ve identified several factors, like long periods of drought, insufficient or excessive sunlight, poor soil conditions, and pest infestations as some of the culprits behind a tree’s early color change. These stressors impact the tree’s ability to photosynthesize effectively, leading to a premature shift in pigmentation.

~Moon Valley Nurseries

You may recall my article from last Fall which mentioned the best places to view the most vibrant colors of Tennessee during the Autumn months. That post was written in mid-October — for all the procrastinators out there, and for those who were holding out to see only the BRIGHTEST colors in Middle Tennessee.

Don’t let Fall pass you by without enjoying some time in the brilliant colors of Tennessee Autumn this year!

View the Tennessee Fall foliage map which shows current colors across the state — based on up-to-date reports from Tennessee residents.

This post is for the Tennessee leaf peepers who like to plan early. I’ve got some tips to help you get the most from the Tennessee Fall colors this year — in East TN, Middle TN, and West TN.

East Tennessee Fall Colors

East Tennessee provides some of the most brilliant fall foliage colors in the country! In East TN, the leaves start changing color in early October and reach their peak around the third week of October.

These are the best places to view colorful leaves in East TN:

• Great Smoky Mountains National Park:
  • Clingmans Dome – This 6,643-foot peak gives you panoramic views of the park and its colorful landscape.
  • Newfound Gap – A popular spot for scenic drives and hiking, with gorgeous fall foliage that can be seen all along the road.
  • Cades Cove – This is an historic small valley area with a loop road at its center that takes you by lots of scenic sites. Plenty of wildlife can be seen from the main road, various hiking trails, and side roads.

• Roan Mountain State Park:
  • Carvers Gap – This high-elevation area offers breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains and valleys year round, so you can imagine what it looks like in the Fall.
  • Cathedral Ridge – If you’re up for a challenging hike, you’ll be rewarded with panoramic vistas of the beautiful Fall colors.

• Fall Creek Falls State Park:
  • Fall Creek Falls – The park’s namesake waterfall is surrounded by some of the most vibrant fall foliage.
  • Piney Creek Gorge – This is a scenic gorge area with waterfalls, hiking trails, and stunning fall colors.

• Norris Lake:
  • Norris Dam State Park – This park has lots of scenic overlooks, hiking trails, and boat rentals for exploring Fall colors from the lake.
  • Tellico Village – A waterfront community with beautiful fall foliage and access to the lake.

• Knoxville Area:
  • Ijams Nature Center – A popular urban park with hiking trails, wildlife viewing, and beautiful fall colors.
  • Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge – If you want to combine fall foliage AND wildlife viewing, this is a popular spot to explore a variety of habitats and wildlife amidst a colorful backdrop.

Middle Tennessee Fall Colors

In Middle Tennessee (where I live), the leaves start changing color in late September or early October. We typically see the most vibrant peak fall Fall colors in late October or early November.

Here are the best places to enjoy the fall foliage in Middle TN:

• Nashville – The city’s parks and green spaces are a great place to admire the changing leaves, especially around Percy Warner Park and Radnor Lake State Natural Area.
• Arboretum – The Cheekwood Botanical Garden & Museum offers a stunning display of fall foliage each year, with a wide variety of different trees and plants in a multitude of colors.
• State Parks – Middle Tennessee has several state parks with beautiful fall scenery, including Long Hunter State Park, Cedars of Lebanon State Park, and Edgar Evins State Park.
• Natchez Trace Parkway – This is a gorgeous scenic drive that spans 444 miles all the way from Middle Tennessee to Mississippi (no commercial vehicles are allowed).

West Tennessee Fall Colors

West Tennessee is a little less well-known for its Fall foliage, however there’s still some beautiful Fall scenery in these parts — especially in areas with forests and lakes. The leaves in West Tennessee typically start changing color in early October and reach their peak around the third week of October.

These are the best places to view colorful leaves in West TN:

• Reelfoot Lake State Park – This unique lake was formed by a series of earthquakes along the New Madrid fault zone in the winter of 1811–1812. It’s surrounded by a forest that transforms into a beautiful tapestry of colors each Autumn. Hiking, boating, and fishing are popular there.
• Meeman-Shelby Forest State Park – Just north of Memphis, this park has a lot of trails and scenic overlooks where you can take in the fall colors.
• Natchez Trace State Park – This historic park has a paved trail that winds through the forest and along the Natchez Trace Parkway, where the fall colors are especially beautiful.
• Memphis Botanic Garden – For a more urban leaf peeping experience, check out the Memphis Botanic Garden, where they have gardens and trails in a peaceful setting to admire the changing leaves.
• Chickasaw State Park – The fall foliage here can be quite impressive, especially in the wooded areas. They also have lots of recreational activities available here — like hiking, fishing, and camping.

Tennessee Trees (Leaf Colors & Leaf Shapes)

As chlorophyll fades from trees that are preparing to lose their leaves, it exposes the other pigments in leaf tissue that are usually covered and hidden by the large amount of chlorophyll present in the spring and summer. 

~Nashville Tree Conservation Corps.

Here’s a 1-page guide to help you identify Tennessee trees by their leaf shape.

These are the Fall leaf colors you will see in Tennessee:

RED – Anthocyanin is the pigment in tree leaves that’s responsible for the vibrant red colors.

The Tennessee trees with leaves most likely to turn RED in the Fall include:

• Cherry trees
• Dogwood trees
• Maple trees
• White ash trees
• White oak trees

ORANGE – Carotenoid is the compound in tree leaves that is responsible for the bright orange colors.

The Tennessee trees with leaves most likely to turn ORANGE each Autumn include:

• Beech trees
• Sugar maple trees
• Sweetgum trees

YELLOW – A type of carotenoid compound in leaves called xanthophyll is what gives the leaves their bright yellow color.

The Tennessee trees with leaves most likely to turn YELLOW in the Fall include:

• Ash trees
• Silver maple trees 
• Tulip Poplar trees

This video walks you through a Tennessee forest with a tree expert identifying all of the trees by their leaves:

I encourage you to download this pocket guide for identifying Tennessee Trees.