The nights are getting cooler. The mornings have a slight crispness. Pumpkin Spice Lattes are officially released for the year. Football, bonfires, sweatshirts, and jeans are making their way back onto the scene. And so, if you’re like us, you’re thinking about peak foliage in East Tennessee. 

Peak foliage just might be our favorite fall blanket as we watch it settle in on the peaks and rolling hills of East Tennessee. And if you’re planning a trip to East Tennessee to take a peek for yourself, you’ll want to check out these tips for getting the most out of peak foliage in East Tennessee.

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Want to experience East Tennessee to the fullest?

Grab your copy of our 25 Things to Do in East Tennessee, where you’ll get great info on events, drives, trails, and more. Request your copy here.

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Tips for Peak Foliage in East Tennessee

Foliage Starts at the Top and Works Its Way Down

As the weather cools, the highest altitudes cool the soonest, so the leaves change colors there first. Not only is this beautiful to see as you drive along the rolling hills, but it also means that the peak foliage in East Tennessee seems to last longer because it kind of is – starting at the top and working its way down takes time!

So when does it officially start?

Early predictions (like this one) are saying that foliage will start in full force mid-October and run through mid-November, with elevations higher than 4000′ starting as early as mid-September. Of course this is completely dependent on the rainfall in the specific area you’re wanting to visit as well as the overnight temps as well as how warm it still is during the day. August stayed pretty warm delaying the cool down that brings on the leaves changing. 

General guidelines (like these) remind us that any time from early October to early November is “average” for peak foliage in East Tennessee.

Watch the weather.

To know for sure when conditions start priming up, be watching the weather for the cool downs that fall is known for. Even if you aren’t in East Tennessee, you can get a glimpse of the entire country on any weather app or the national news. 

The higher the peak foliage, the higher the number of peekers.

As peak foliage in East Tennessee increases, so does the number of people who are out in droves to see the sights. Weekends are usually the busiest, with some inns booking up months in advance. To help miss the crowds, try to plan a trip that’s one day off of weekend and leaving ahead of the crowd. 

Seeing the foliage is best by…

Driving. Hiking. Boating. Walking. Whatever way you like being outside. One of our favorite drives is the Cherohala Skyway. And the trails at Whitestone Country Inn are second to none.

[su_note note_color=”#F8F8F8″ text_color=”#666″ radius=”1″]

Want to experience East Tennessee to the fullest?

Grab your copy of our 25 Things to Do in East Tennessee, where you’ll get great info on events, drives, trails, and more. Request your copy here.

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Where is the best place to stay?

Need a comfortable, beautiful inn to be your base of operations as you explore and experience peak foliage in East Tennessee? We invite you to consider the Whitestone Country Inn on beautiful Watts Bar Lake. From Whitestone, you can experience foliage via driving, walking, or even from a canoe. And because of Whitestone’s amazing location you can get to Knoxville, Chattanooga, and the Smokies in almost no time at all. You’ll be able to experience so much of the peak foliage that East Tennessee has to offer.

And before you head out each day, you’ll be treated to an amazing breakfast with a fantastic view of the lake and property. After your day of exploring you can schedule a massage to up the relaxation and make a dinner reservation for a delicious treat for your taste buds.