As one of the oldest mountain ranges in the world, the Great Smoky Mountains are a natural wonder at any given time. However, the Smoky Mountains in the fall are a particularly awe-inspiring sight to behold, one that every globetrotting adventurer should experience at least once in their lifetime.
As the leaves change colors, the hazy blue peaks of this Appalachian subrange bursts into fiery hues. Like an ocean of molten gold, the vibrant rolling hills can be seen for miles all around. Let your wandering feet bring you to the Smokies during autumn and treat your eyes to some of these magnificent vantage points!
Gatlinburg SkyLift Park
The Gatlinburg SkyLift Park is hands-down one of the best places to go to find those spectacular views of the mountains with five unique attractions. Most popular is the SkyLift itself, a chair lift that ascends to 1,800 feet in elevation above sea level, transporting you to the top of Mount Crockett. Once there, you can grab a bite to eat and drink at the SkyCenter and then sit among the firepits at the SkyDeck amphitheater – all set against a romantic backdrop of mountain peaks and glittering lights from downtown Gatlinburg.
The SkyBridge is the second most visited experience at Gatlinburg SkyLift Park. It is known as the longest pedestrian cable bridge in North America, measuring 700 feet across and 500 feet high. Suspended over a wide valley with 30 feet of transparent glass flooring in the middle, the bridge offers incredible mountain scenery from every side. Connecting to the SkyBridge, the SkyTrail continues for a third of a mile, providing viewing points from an elevated boardwalk, a non-boardwalk path overlooking the bridge, and a 70-foot tower.
The Gatlinburg SkyLift Park is a fantastic place to wind down after a strenuous hike, take a date for a romantic dinner with a view, or explore with family and friends. Plus, it’s close to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park entrance and the family-friendly attractions of downtown Gatlinburg.
Scenic Helicopter Tours
If you’re not from Tennessee or North Carolina, chances are you may catch a flight to reach your Smoky Mountain destination. As magnificent as the landing over the mountains may be, a tiny airplane window doesn’t do it justice. Imagine instead enjoying those same aerial views in 360 and with more than just 5 minutes dedicated to exploring the best scenes. At Scenic Helicopter Tours, you can do just that!
If you’ve never flown in a helicopter before, this is your once-in-a-lifetime chance. Choose between a variety of tours according to what you are most interested in seeing: mountains, valleys, lakes, rivers, downtown Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg, or the national park. If you’ve been waiting to find the right way to say those three timeless words, the romantic packages could be an impressive way to set the mood. One of the few places approved by the FAA and National Park Service for flights over the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Scenic Helicopter Tours is undoubtedly the most unforgettable way to see the autumn colors!
Anakeesta
For an amusement park, Anakeesta is more like a quaint village atop a mountain peak. Take a promenade along the Treetop Skywalk, a series of 14 bridges hanging 50 feet high, or climb to the top of AnaVista Tower, an observation tower where you can see all the way to Kentucky. Hunker down at Black Bear Village or Firefly Village for dining, shopping, music, movies and campfires with views of downtown Gatlinburg. Hop aboard the Chondola, a 4-person chair lift rising to the summit of Anakeesta Mountain, or fly away on the dueling zipline adventure. With all these adventures and more, you could spend an entire day at Anakeesta and still have more to look forward to tomorrow.
Ober Gatlinburg
Just like Anakeesta and the Gatlinburg SkyLift Park, the best views of autumn splendor can be found atop a mountain. Ober Gatlinburg is perhaps best known for its skiing and snowboarding slopes during the wintertime. However, this mountaintop park is open year-round with all kinds of family-friendly rides, games, dining and shopping experiences.
Autumn is the best time of year to catch the Aerial Tramway, a 2.1-mile cable lift reaching over 2800 feet above sea level. If you’re staying at a hotel in Gatlinburg, you’ll be within easy access of the tramway’s downtown starting point. From there, it will lift you 300 feet into the air to bring you safely into the amusement park, with plenty of mountain views on the way.
Foxfire Mountain Adventure Park
The Great Smoky Mountains are well-known not just for the grandiose natural scenery but also for the outdoor adventures that the landscape affords. Ziplining and hiking are just a couple of fun ways to enjoy some views and physical activity simultaneously. At Foxfire Adventure Park, you can do both! The park contains 150 acres of forested area with hiking trails and America’s Longest Swinging Bridge, a 70-foot-long bridge over Foxfire Gorge with beautiful views of the Little Pigeon River below. Plus, the three ziplining tours will introduce you to these mountains from the perspective of the treetops and at speeds up to 55 mph!
Bluff Mountain ATV Rides
If the best ways to catch those glorious autumn scenes involve interacting with nature in fun ways, then ATVing belongs on that list with ziplining and hiking. If you’ve never ridden an ATV before, the Smokies are the best place on earth to get into it. Head to Bluff Mountain ATV Rides in Pigeon Forge, where you’ll get to tear up over 6,000 acres of trails with your sturdy wheels.
First, you’ll be outfitted with a 450 ATV, Rhino/Wolverine UTV, Viking UTV, or Teryx UTV, plus protective gear. After this, try the one-hour Family Introductory Ride for a gentle, easy ride to get your feet wet. Alternatively, more experienced riders can take the Mountain Trail Adventure Ride to the top of Bluff Mountain. As you put the pedal to the medal, enjoy the forest’s autumnal colors and the panoramic scenery over Pigeon Forge.
In Conclusion
As the late summer sun falls away behind dappled branches, the air turns crisp and refreshing for a rigorous hike. Yet, forays into the vast Great Smoky Mountains National Park aren’t the only way to appreciate the unique autumnal splendor of this ancient region. The small mountain towns of Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge and Sevierville act as home bases for visitors to the Smokies, offering a variety of creative and interactive ways to enjoy the views. In this neck of the woods, autumn is not just a season but a call to adventure!