| There's something about fall that adds a bit of | | | | the glorious landscape. Prefer walking? These |
| excitement to the air. Maybe it's because school | | | | mountains offer more than 800 miles of trails to |
| has begun. It might be the reduction in sweltering | | | | explore laced with waterfalls, historic buildings and |
| summer temperatures. Perhaps it's the thrill of | | | | other surprises along tranquil paths. See wildlife |
| football season or it could be the onset of | | | | when you bike the 11 miles of Cades Cove Loop |
| holidays including Halloween and Thanksgiving. While | | | | Road or go horseback riding across 550 miles of |
| you're marking your calendar and making plans for | | | | trails. Whatever method you like, there's definitely |
| what to do this fall, don’t forget to include a | | | | something for everyone. |
| visit to the Smoky Mountains. It’s the perfect | | | | With a spectacular display of color all around, it's |
| place to experience the magical change of | | | | hard to imagine anything more beautiful. However, |
| seasons. | | | | if you've ever seen the reflection of fall colors in |
| We all know that during fall the leaves change | | | | a glistening stream you'll know that the Smokies |
| colors, but if you haven’t seen the colors of | | | | repeatedly outdo themselves. That's probably |
| fall in the Smoky Mountains, you have missed a | | | | why fishing is another popular attraction in the |
| masterpiece of nature. While the official dates for | | | | Smoky Mountains. |
| the fall season are September 23rd through | | | | Whether you're a novice or have years of |
| December 21st, the peak time for leaves to | | | | experience, you'll enjoy over 2000 miles of |
| change is unpredictable because there are so | | | | streams filled with brook, rainbow and brown |
| many factors involved. According to the National | | | | trout, as well as smallmouth and rock bass. While |
| Park Service, “At higher elevations, where the | | | | fishing is permitted year round, the use of live bait |
| climate is similar to New England’s, color | | | | or food is not allowed. You may only use artificial |
| displays start as early as mid-September. The fall | | | | flies or lures with a single hook. Since the park lies |
| color display usually reaches peak at mid- and | | | | across the Tennessee/North Carolina border, a |
| lower elevations between mid-October and early | | | | permit or license from either state is required. |
| November. This is the park’s most | | | | The early fall brings daytime high temperatures in |
| spectacular display.” It's during this time that | | | | the 70s and 80s, with dropping highs in the 50s to |
| you'll find brilliant shades of deep burgundy, | | | | 60s at season's end. This makes fall an opportune |
| dazzling orange, sparkling gold and emerald green | | | | time to take advantage of the great outdoors. If |
| shimmering in the sunlight. These magnificent | | | | you can only get away for a day, it will be a day |
| colors turn the Smoky Mountains into a priceless | | | | well spent. Obviously, longer stays afford more |
| work of art. | | | | time for fun, adventure and relaxation. With |
| There are numerous ways to experience this | | | | numerous cabins nearby for rent, you can enjoy |
| beauty. Traveling by car is the most popular | | | | your evenings nestled in the beauty and tranquility |
| choice because it allows for a great deal of | | | | of the Smoky Mountains. Whether it will be for |
| freedom. Hundreds of people jump into their | | | | one day or several, make plans now to see the |
| vehicles to spend the day enjoying the | | | | magic of the fall colors unfold right before your |
| breathtaking colors of autumn. Bring a picnic lunch, | | | | eyes. |
| park the car and savor your meal surrounded by | | | | |
