Foothills Parkway
Known as the "Missing Link," offering unobstructed, panoramic views of the colorful mountains.
Forest Composition
Conditions & 5-Day Forecast
Field notes · 2026 estimate
When to see peak color at Foothills Parkway
Peak fall color is predicted around October 29. Plan for the strongest viewing window from October 24 to November 3.
The prediction comes from 14 years of fall color records at this spot, checked against what observers on the ground saw. Where state foliage spotters report peak (New York, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin and Missouri), it has landed inside our ±5-day window about two years in three. An unusual summer or autumn can still move it further. Explore fall color around Cocke County and across Tennessee.
That is 5 days later than usual (October 25): the six weeks to October 13 ran 4.8°F warmer than the 2001–2025 average, and a warmer run before peak delays the color. This will settle about ten days before peak, as the weather comes in.
Nearby locales
Other places to see color near Foothills Parkway
30 to 60 minutes
1 to 2 hours
- Seven Islands State Birding Park36 mi · 1 hr 2 minPeak: Oct 26Status: High color
- Great Smoky Mountains National Park (Cades Cove, Newfound Gap, Kuwohi)34 mi · 1 hr 3 minPeak: Oct 25Status: Moderate color
- Ijams Nature Center44 mi · 1 hr 16 minPeak: Oct 29Status: Moderate color
- Sharp's Ridge Memorial Park54 mi · 1 hr 16 minPeak: Nov 2Status: Moderate color
- North Carolina Arboretum65 mi · 1 hr 35 minNorth CarolinaPeak: Oct 29Status: Moderate color
- Biltmore Estate67 mi · 1 hr 37 minNorth CarolinaPeak: Oct 28Status: Early color
- Norris Dam State Park76 mi · 1 hr 45 minPeak: Oct 29Status: High color