Great Smoky Mountains in October: Fall Hikes and Drives
It’s truly magical in the Great Smoky Mountains in October. The leaves are changing, the air is crisp, the park is fully open and alive, and the wildlife is prepping for winter.
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We just went to Great Smoky Mountains National Park in October during our kids’ fall break. We loved better pricing on flights and the variety of colors that we don’t really get in Colorado. It’s a great park to bring the family, with myriad trails, waterfalls, and incredible views. It seemed there was a river everywhere we turned.
While summer may invite most people to visit with warm temperatures and thick green foliage, I’m going to show you why October in Great Smoky Mountains is truly a great time to visit.
Table of Contents
Why Visit the Great Smoky Mountains in October?
Fall Colors in Great Smoky Mountains
The main reason I wanted to visit Great Smoky Mountains National Park in October was for the changing colors. We are from Colorado, so while we get great yellows from the aspens in the mountains, I was hoping for the full-spectrum of reds and oranges. And we got it!
Starting in mid-October, the colors are starting to change at Great Smoky Mountains. By the end of October and into the beginning of November, there is a grand display of colorful foliage.
Mild Temperatures
While temperatures average in the mid- to high-80s in the summer, fall brings cooler temperatures.
October greeted us with temps in the 60s and even low 70s at some times. Mornings start cool and crisp, but by afternoon it felt perfect.
Activities in October
Wildlife spottings in October are a little more exciting. Starting at the end of September and through the end of October is the great elk rut. Your chances of viewing it are bigger over in Cataloochee Valley where they are known to roam.
October also brought out a few bears for us. While bears are active in the summer as well, October is still a great time to spot them.
In Gatlinburg, participate in the Fall events around town. Kids will love the Scarecrow scavenger hunt where you seek out the life-size pumpkin scarecrows around town. The Craftsmen’s Fair also comes to the Gatlinburg convention center, with around 180 artisans and creators selling their items.
Nearby Sevierville hosts “History and Haunts,” which is kind of like a cool Halloween party for families with lawn games, fireworks, and storytellers.
If you’re there right before or on Halloween, many attractions (Like The Island in Pigeon Forge or Ripleys) host trick or treat events.
Where to Stay Near the Great Smoky Mountains
There are a few main areas to stay in when visiting Great Smoky Mountains.
Gatlinburg
You can stay north of the park in Gatlinburg or (a little further north) in Pigeon Forge. These two towns make a vacation in and of themselves, with endless attractions, restaurants, shows, and things to do.
A quick view of Gatlinburg:
- Tons of restaurnts
- lots of activities/attractions
- a bit crowded, but not as bad a Pigeon Forge
- Really close to the park entrance
- Priced a tad better than Pigeon Forge
🏠 We stayed in Gatlinburg as close to the park as you can get (at the Newfound Gap entrance) at SureStay. This hotel had a spacious room for our family of 6, a larger mini-fridge, seasonal pool, included breakfast, and was a short walk to the main street full of restaurants and attractions.
🏠 If you want a fun, beachy vibe to your stay, check out Margaritaville, located in the heart of Gatlinburg.
🏠 For a really cozy, autumn feel, stay in a cabin in Gatlinburg. This one gives you that true cabin feel on the exterior and interior, billiards, arcade game, and a hot tub among the lush scenery (pictured above).
🏠 Or grab a really nice, spacious cabin with wall-to-wall windows of the panoramic views. It sleeps up to 8 in actual beds!
Pigeon Forge
Pigeon Forge is just north of Gatlinburg. There is a bypass road to take you into the park so you don’t have to drive through Gatlinburg, which is awesome since it can get really crowded in October.
A Quick View of Pigeon Forge:
- Best for families who want more activities like Dollywood, dinner shows, The Island amusement park, Gravity Park, etc.
- Wide range of family resorts
- SO very crowded in October
- Walmart in nearby Sevierville (for food or anything you forgot)
🏠 Check out the HeartSong Lodge and Resort, a beautiful property removed from the main strip. The resort has an awesome outdoor pool, but if you’re off season, you can still swim in the indoor pool. Rooms sleep 4-6 people (6 in the Junior Suite with a sofa couch).
Townsend
Townsend is north of the park a little farther west than Gatlinburg. If you are not looking for attractions and somewhere a bit less flashy, Townsend is your place. This town is small with a few hotels and a nice grocery store to grab snacks or meals.
Quick View of Townsend
- Quieter closer to Cades Cove.
- Great for families not looking for all the attractions
- Right outside the Tremont visitor center area (near Spruce Flats Falls)
🏠 Check out Dancing Bear Lodge, a quiet retreat where you can get a cozy cottage or more spacious cabin.
Cherokee / Bryson City
Cherokee and Bryson City are located on the south side of the park in North Carolina. These towns are much quieter, but still full of fun. The activities here are a little more low key. Instead of flashing lights and tourist attractions, you’ll find swim holes and museums to learn about the Cherokee people.
We stopped for lunch in Cherokee on one of the days in Great Smoky Mountains and loved the charm and comfort of this town.
- Less crowded and much quieter than Gatlinburg/Pigeon Forge
- Cultural attractions
- Near Oconaluftee visitor center and many waterfall hikes
🏠 Check out the Stonebrook Lodge in Cherokee for high reviews, included breakfast, and a seasonal pool.
Best Family-Friendly Hikes in the Smokies in October
Laurel Falls Trail
Laurel Falls is the most popular trail in the park. Why? The trail is paved, making it easy and accessible, and leads to a big payoff!
In just over 1 mile (2.4 miles roundtrip) you’ll come to the most iconic waterfall in the park. It’s surrounded by foliage, so if the colors have changed, it’s a beautiful place for a fall photo moment.
Kuwohi Observation Tower
Formerly known as Clingman’s Dome, Kuwohi tower is a steep one to get to. BUT, it’s short and covered with an asphalt trail. I don’t recommend a stroller because of the incline, but I do recommend families enjoy the trail at a nice, easy pace. (Or, bring a backpack carrier to put the little one in!)
You’ll walk a half-mile to get to the tower, where a nice paved trail winds you up to the observation point. This gives you incredible fall panorama views of Great Smoky Mountains National Park!
Oconaluftee River Trail
This family-friendly trail is found at the Oconaluftee visitor center near Cherokee. It’ll take you through the Mountain Farm Museum area where kids can discover living long ago and even encounter a few live farm animals.
The trail is flat and runs along the river next to the farm. October is a great time to visit since elk like to hang out here!
Middle Prong Trail
This is another really family-friendly trail! Head past the Tremont visitor center until the road ends. Then park and enjoy this nice, flat, wide trail that runs along the Lynn Camp Prong river.
There are plenty of opportunities to get near the water and enjoy the cascades. But in October, you’ll be crunching leaves the whole way on the trail!
Scenic Fall Drives in Great Smoky Mountains
Beyond just hikes, there are some great fall drives in Great Smoky Mountains and the chance for some wildlife views are higher in some areas.
Best Scenic Drives for Fall Colors
Newfound Gap Road is the main thoroughfare from Gatlinburg to North Carolina. It’s filled with pullovers with great views. You’ll get the classic Great Smoky Mountains panoramas that you often see pictures of along this road.
Cades Cove is another great scenic drive in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. You can find it over on the west side of the park closer to Townsend.
While only 11 miles, the loop will take a few hours to complete as it is a one-way road at slow speed. You’ll be gifted colorful, deciduous trees on the loop, as well as distant views of the mountains.
🐻 Cades Cove is a great place to find some wildlife. We saw bears on the side of the road, though elk often roam through the meadow as well.
Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail is another great scenic drive. It’s a lot wetter on this drive as there are many river forks that follow the road. There are plenty of trees on this road, making for beautiful colors in fall.
When we visited we were a tad early for the color change on this road, but another week would have made it spectacular.
Bonus: We also saw bears on the Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail as we drove through, so keep your eyes open!
Image Credit: NPS
Foothills Parkway is an incredible scenic drive in Great Smoky Mountains, though a bit less crowded than other areas. You can access it closer to Crosby on the east side of the park.
Foothills gives you trees along the road, plus incredible views of the gold and orange covered mountains in fall. While the corridor is 72 miles, there are currently 22 miles broken into 3 segments available to the public. These stretches of scenery are perfect for fall in the Great Smoky Mountains.
The segments include:
- Cosby to I-40
- Walland to Wears Valley
- Chilhowee to Walland
Read more about Foothills Parkway and any closures before heading out.
👉🏼 If you have a few days in the park, check out this itinerary to make the most of it!
What to Pack for an October Visit
- Layers! We started out cold in the morning and shed our layers by afternoon.
- Hiking Shoes– hiking in the park (especially to the waterfalls) can have rough terrain. While we usually just wear sneakers, I recommend hiking shoes for this park for a bit more stability and protection.
- Hiking Backpack– the hikes listed here are easy and short, but if you choose something longer, you need something to carry snacks in!
- Camera– for photographers, don’t forget your camera gear. You’ll want it. For rookies like me, your phone will do.
- Kids hiking carriers– great for longer or harder hikes.
FAQ on Visiting Great Smoky Mountains in October
When is peak fall color in the Smoky Mountains
Colors start to change in mid-October in Great Smoky Mountains. For the full color burst, go toward the end of October and into the beginning of November.
Is October Too Crowded to Visit Great Smoky Mountains?
Thanks to the fall foliage, October gets crowded. We found parking in some areas (like Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail) to be difficult as spaces are limited, but throughout the rest of the park we found parking fairly easy.
Nearby towns of Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge are very crowded in October.
What are the best kid-friendly hikes in the Smokies in fall?
You’ll get great fall colors AND kid-friendly terrain at places like the Mountain Farm Museum and Oconaluftee River trail, Laurel Falls, Middle Prong Trail, and various walkways in the park.
Is October a good time to see wildlife in Great Smoky Mountains?
October is a great time to see wildlife. It’s the time the elk have their rut season, bears are still out, and other animals are scurrying around. We saw many bears driving through the park and even had turkeys cross our path on a hike.
Conclusion to visiting Great Smoky Mountains in October
October is a great time to visit Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The weather is a little more mild, the colors are changing, and the animals are active. Kids will love easy trails throughout the park where they can crunch leaves and spot oranges and yellows.
Foliage can vary each year, but heading out later in October is typically a good time to catch the fall colors. Stay flexible and enjoy everything this park has to offer in the fall. Attend local festivals and fall celebrations, take a scenic drive in the park, or enjoy colorful trails. There is plenty to see and do in Great Smoky Mountains in October for the family.
Check out these other posts to plan your trip!
How to spend 1 day in Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Why we loved Baskins Creek Falls
3 Day Itinerary in Great Smoky Mountains
Guide to the Kuwohi Observation Tower (best views in GSMNP!)
The BEST Waterfalls to see in Great Smoky Mountains
Don’t Miss Chimney Tops Trail (with many cascades and water stops!)
