Fall In Tennessee: Three Great State Parks to See Fall Colors
Fall is the perfect time to embrace Tennessee’s natural beauty.
Cool air and mist mingle over rivers, lakes, and ponds. Lower temperatures beckon hikers to strap on their boots and hit the trails. The reds, yellows, and oranges of Tennessee’s fall foliage are the stars of the show, though, bringing untold thousands of visitors here during the peak months of October and November.
Autumn travelers really cannot go wrong at any one of the state’s 57 parks and natural areas. But here are our three great ones from each Grand Division.
East Tennessee — Roan Mountain State Park
Carter County
Credit: Wikipedia
Credit: Roan Mountain State Park
The Smokies are gorgeous in the fall. That’s why everyone wants to see them. And that’s why the roads to and through the park are clogged.
So, if you’d rather see Tennessee’s fall beauty but skip the traffic jam in Cades Cove, try Roan Mountain State Park. Located in Carter County (on the North Carolina border), the park is situated on more than 2,000 acres with rugged ridges of hardwood forests. It’s on the Blue Ridge of the Appalachian Mountains and Roan Mountain itself is the highest point in Tennessee outside the Smokies.
The drive is beautiful. The trails offer breathtaking views. The Doe River is full of trout. If you’re out that way in October, don’t miss the Fall-O-Dendron Festival. The free outdoor festival offers traditional culture, food, art and music.
Middle Tennessee — Standing Stone State Park
Overton County
Credit: Wikipedia
Credit:
Standing Stone State Park is a bit off the beaten path. But it’s well worth the drive.
The park is a nature haven in Overton County, especially in the fall. A drive through the park is a seasonal must for locals from the top of the park, down to the one-lane bridge over the dam across the lake, and back up the ridge to the other side.
Easy trails around the 69-acre Kelly Lake are perfect for any age and perfect for mirror-image views of the fall leaves reflected on the water. Immerse yourself in the scene completely by hopping in a boat. The park rents canoes, kayaks, and aluminum fishing boats.
Head that way on October 14 for the park’s 25th Annual Car Show for those great views, food, music, and classic cars.
West Tennessee — Reelfoot Lake State Park
Lake County
Credit: Wikipedia
Credit: Reelfoot Lake state Park
An annual jaunt to see fall colors almost demands mountains or at least some hills. Right? But do not miss the one-of-a-kind autumn views of (the seemingly unreal) Reelfoot Lake State Park.
Violent earthquakes in Tennessee’s northwest corner caused the Mississippi River to flow backwards for a time in 1811-1812. That flow created the 15,000-acre lake in what is now Lake County.
The flooded forest is home to hauntingly beautiful Cypress trees. The trunks of these trees splay out at the bottom before disappearing into the water. The roots (called knees) sprout up out of the water here and there like wooden prairie dogs.
On weekends in October and November, the park offers two-hour pontoon cruises on the lake to see the fall colors with an experienced naturalist. These tours are worth it.
Fall, too, brings in migrating white pelicans to Reelfoot. These massive, white birds (some with wingspans of up to 9 feet) are celebrated each October with Pelican Fest, scheduled this year for October 20-22.
