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:
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:
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:
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.
Tips For Viewing Fall Colors In ALL Parts Of TN
- When To View Fall Colors In Tennessee State Parks – including east, middle, and west Tennessee park
- Tips For Leaf-Peeping In Tennessee – tips for Tennesseans to spot the best colors each fall
- Best TN State Parks For Colorful Leaves – where and when to visit specific state parks in Tennessee
- Fall Colors Along The Natchez Trace Parkway – the Natchez Trace Parkway is a beautiful stretch of road from Middle Tennessee to Mississippi that’s one of the best places to photograph fall colors
- Smoky Mountain Fall Colors Guide – tips for enjoying Fall foliage in the Smokies (with map)
As a lifelong traveler, I like to help people find unique ways to do things that will save time & money — so I write about “outside the box” Travel Hacks that most wouldn’t think of.
I’m SUPER organized and I love to pack! I’ve lived in 6 different states (Florida, Indiana, New York, Ohio, Tennessee, and Texas) and have visited every other state in the U.S. — except Hawaii. (Can you say bucket list?) I’ve been on several different cruises, airplanes, and boats in my life and I currently enjoy the outdoors by bicycling, motorcycling, Jeeping, RVing, camping, or just walking my dogs.
My favorite “hobby” is riding on the back of our Harley-Davidson Road Glide traveling cross country — which we usually do at least once each year. We even rode from Tennessee to Alaska once!
When I’m not on the road, you will find me at the corner of Good News & Fun Times as publisher of The Fun Times Guide (32 fun & helpful websites).