Fall Color report for Great Smoky Mountains: Roaring Fork section in Gatlinburg

Some of the best fall colors right now in the Great Smoky Mountains national park can be seen in the Roaring Fork section right outside the city of Gatlinburg Tennessee.

The Cherokee Orchard / Roaring Fork area of the GSMNP is known for its hiking trails, numerous historic buildings and the Roaring Fork Motor Drive. Right now it is also the best place to see fall colors in the Smokies without having to hike very far or if you want even leave your car.

The fall leaf colors just stared to pop out in the lower elevations here in Roaring Fork area and should have some stunning views into November.

As you enter Roaring Forge on Cherokee Orchard Road you will already see color before you even come up to one of the most photographed cabins in the Great Smoky Mountains national park the Noah Bud Ogle cabin pictured below.

If you want to see the Smokies in the wild and don't wish to have a strenuous hike, park your car here and purchase a pamphlet and take a self guided nature tour. It will be time well spent.

As you go further in on Cherokee Orchard Road you may have already pass by one of the active black bears on the left hand side. If the traffic starts to back up a ranger will waive you along.

If you wish to photograph a black bear keep far back and be sure to park in a pull off rather than stop in the road (you want get a ticket this way!). Be sure to watch out as other drivers may be so interested in the bear they won't see you.

The next trailhead you will pull up to is the Old Sugarlands Trail. You don't have to walk very far to see a beautiful stream with a log bridge and a little further down this wide old roadway that is now a trail the color will really burst forth.

Don't want to hike? Pass the next 2 parking areas and make a right and take the Roaring Fork Motor Trail Tour (guide book for sale right at the entrance). This road twist and turns its way up and at the first overlook make sure to get out of your car and take a look at the stunning views looking out at the Gatlinburg mountains which are bursting out in a pallet of pretty colors.

There is one more pull off with another stunning overlook and the parking area where you can take the short hike to Grotto Falls or a long hike all the way up to My Le Conte over 6,500 feet! Past here you will see more and more autumn color in the trees breaking through in yellows, oranges and now hot reds and peaches.

Going downhill you will see a parking area on the left with an old homestead on the right. Now need to describe the beauty of this cabin and farm buildings and the beautiful fall colors busting forth just look at the picture below.

Now that you have seen this stunning beauty you have 2 more homesteads areas and a mill to check out before you leave the park. Each is worth parking and taking in the fantastic fall colors and the beauty of the Smokies.

Roaring for is slow driving road, don't rush it so you want miss anything and for your own safety. It so a good idea to check out this section of the park with at least 1-1/2 hours before sunset as driving in here in the dark is not the best idea and beside - you will miss all the fall colors for leaf season!