Three Road Trip to Take This Fall near Kingsport, TN

The fall season in Tennessee is an attraction in itself. The leaves of the 16th state’s various hardwood trees change from green to hues of yellow, red, and orange. Starting in mid- to late October, east Tennessee sees their arrival first. Then in early November, the fall foliage spreads to middle Tennessee. Finally, in mid- to late November, the sight breaks out across west Tennessee. Just a few weeks later, those bright colors disappear and the winter season arrives. But don’t worry, they’ll be back again the following year.

Here are three fun areas that you can visit as the kaleidoscope of fall colors emerge in Tennessee.

Sunny Side Trail

About 90 miles outside of Kingsport is Sevierville, the hometown of country superstar Dolly Parton. A bronze statue of the singer sits in front of the courthouse and marks one end of the famous Sunny Side Trail. Also known as the Early Country Trail, this road course boasts almost 200 stops from the foot of the Smoky Mountains throughout the Tennessee Valley. Among the highlights is Dollywood, Parton’s renowned amusement park in Pigeon Forge. Nearby is the small resort town of Gatlinburg which attracts millions of visitors annually. Historical and modern cultures blend as tourists ascend on towns such as Cosby, the Moonshine Capital of the World.

Cades Cove Loop

The city of Townsend is 35 miles from Sevierville. It is home to the Cades Cove Loop which is a popular road excursion in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The single winding road is paved and stretches for 11 miles in only one direction. Due to the plentiful sights such as mountains and meadows, the drive can last a few hours. From May to September, only bicycle and pedestrian traffic are allowed two mornings per week. Most visitors enjoy the slow traveling pace, so they can stop and take pictures of their surroundings. Wildlife such as deer, black bears, fox, elk, and more have been spotted frequently. Please do not feed the animals. Cades Cove Loop is the ultimate scenic route.

Cumberland Gap National Historical Park

This park signifies where the borders of Tennessee, Kentucky, and Virginia meet. Millions of years ago, the elements of wind and water created a gap in the Appalachian Mountain chain, specifically the Cumberland Mountain ridge. It provided a passage for early pioneers and settlers to use for trading and exploring. The gap is over 1,300 feet in altitude. On the Tennessee side, the park is approximately 80 miles from the Kingsport area near Harrogate. You can experience cave tours, hiking trails, and breathtaking overlooks on nearly 25,000 acres. There is no admission fee, but there are costs for camping and guided tours.

As you can see, there are many destinations for a fall foliage road trip in Tennessee. From educational adventures to exploratory trails, there is something for everyone in your family or group. In roughly two hours, you could be driving up to a roadside attraction that you’ve only read about or returning to a favorite. Don’t forget your camera or mobile device. You won’t want to miss capturing some pieces of history and current day events.

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