13 Scenic Road Trips to Experience the Beautiful Colors of Fall

Florida has some amazing sights to see, but the bold colors of fall are not one of them. Although we don’t get to experience the changing of the season here, there are plenty of places where you can go that are not too far away.

Georgia, Tennessee, and North Carolina are just a few places that are easily accessible by car or a short plane ride. Many of these spots are also perfect for camping or travelling by RV.

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If setting up a tent is not your thing, sites like RVshare give those who want to experience the great outdoors the option of renting a camper. However you prefer to travel, here are some scenic spots for families who want to hit the road this fall.

And to help you plan the best dates for your road trip to see the fall leaves, check out this Fall Foliage Map for the Smokey Mountains and the rest of the country!

Oh-and don’t forget to check out our Ultimate Guide to Pumpkin Patches, Fall Festivals and Halloween Events in Tampa Bay for fall fun closer to home.

Experience Fall Leaves in Georgia

Stone Mountain

Distance: 460 miles north
Stone Mountain Park (pictured above in feature image) is located just outside of Atlanta. The actual mountain itself is made up of quartz monzonite. The park has over 3,200 acres of natural beauty to explore and offers a variety of activities. There are campsites, RV spots, and an onsite hotel. Activities such as the Summit Sky Ride, historic village, and miniature golf are available year-round. In the fall and winter, guests can enjoy the beauty of fall at the Pumpkin Festival (October) and Stone Mountain Christmas (November – January).

Tallulah Gorge State Park

Distance: 535 miles north
Tallulah Gorge is a 2-mile long, 1,000-feet deep canyon surrounded by the park. Certain overlooks, including a suspension bridge, provide spectacular views of the fall foliage. This Victorian Resort town’s main attractions are its six waterfalls, which create a stunning backdrop against the colorful leaves.

Helen

Distance: 540 miles north
Just outside of Blue Ridge sits the small town of Alpine Helen. This German-themed town is known for its Bavarian Village, providing a glimpse of Germany and stunning views. Visitors can check out the scenery while taking a ride down the Chattahoochee River, ziplining across a mountain, or from above in a hot air balloon. And don’t forget to take a ride on the Georgia Mountain Coaster!

Unicoi State Park is the ultimate spot for surrounding yourself with the beauty of fall. Oktoberfest, Helen’s biggest celebration, takes place throughout the month of October so you can enjoy a scenic fall hike followed by some of the best German food and beers you can get.

Blue Ridge

Distance: 550 miles north
The mountains of North Georgia are an ideal location for experiencing breathtaking views. Blankets of red, orange, and yellow leaves cover the mountains along the Toccoa River. Amicalola Falls State Park offers some incredible fall scenery and boasts a 729-foot waterfall. The Blue Ridge Parkway spans the southern and central Appalachians and makes for an extremely scenic drive through Georgia, North Carolina, and Virginia.

Their downtown area has plenty of quaint shops and restaurants. It’s also worth making the drive to Mercier Orchards to stock up on all their freshly made pastries, breads, jams, and more (make sure not to leave without one of their famous hand pies). If you go before the end of October, you can also take a tractor ride to their orchard and go apple picking.

Hiawassee 

Distance: 566 miles north
Hiawassee is right along the border of Geogia and North Carolina. Situated along Lake Chatuge, it’s a picturesque town with mountains, waterfalls, and amazing scenic views. It’s also home to Georgia’s highest peak, Brasstown Bald (fun fact – you can see Georgia, Tennessee, North Carolina, and South Carolina from the viewing spot at the top of the mountain).

Enjoy the fall colors while hiking up one of Hiawassee’s many mountain trails, such as Bell Mountain, or sitting outside at one of their stunning mountainside wineries. It’s also an easy drive to spend the day wandering downtown Dahlonega (known as “the Hallmark Channel town” for their quaint, small-town vibe).

Experience the Fall Leaves in Tennessee

Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Distance: 615 miles north
Straddled between the border of North Carolina and Tennessee, Great Smoky Mountains National Park is the most visited national park in the United States. The Appalachian Trail passes through the center of the park, creating the perfect opportunity for hikers wanting to surround themselves with the colors of fall.

For those who prefer scenic drives over hikes, taking a drive up Clingmans Dome Road, the Blue Ridge Parkway, or Foothills Parkway will reward you with breathtaking views. At 31 miles long, Newfound Gap Road is the lowest drivable pass in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Starting in Gatlinburg, it goes up and over the mountains into Cherokee, NC. Because of its elevation, Newfound Gap Road tends to be about 10 degrees cooler than the lowlands, even during the summer months. Mingus Mill, visitor’s center, and the Mountain Farm Museum are a few of the stops to check out along this scenic roadway.

Newfound Gap Road

Distance: 630 miles north
This 31-mile road is the lowest drivable pass in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Starting in Gatlinburg, it goes up and over the mountains into Cherokee, NC. Because of its elevation, Newfound Gap Road tends to be about 10 degrees cooler than the lowlands, even during the summer months. Mingus Mill, visitor’s center, and the Mountain Farm Museum are a few of the stops to check out along this scenic roadway.

Gatlinburg

Distance: 650 miles north
Gatlinburg makes for a great base to explore the mountains and trails of eastern Tennessee. The Gatlinburg Space Needle is the perfect spot for those who want to take in colorful fall views without having to hike or drive through the mountains. A glass elevator ride up the 407-foot tower provides a 360-degree panoramic view of Gatlinburg and the Great Smoky Mountains. The Space Needle also has a 25,000-square-foot playground, an arcade, and a live-entertainment theater.

Cades Cove

Distance: 675 miles north
Cades Cove is one of the most popular destinations in the Great Smoky Mountains, and about 45 minutes from Gatlinburg. Known for its immense population of wildlife such as black bear, coyotes, and white-tailed deer, this 11-mile, one-way loop circles the cove and makes for an incredibly scenic drive or hike. Three historic churches, a working grist mill, barns, and log houses are scattered along the trail for visitors to explore.

Experience Fall Leaves in North Carolina

Asheville

Distance: 630 miles northeast
Surrounded by the Blue Ridge Mountains, Asheville is the perfect spot to take in the vibrant hues of fall. Grandfather Mountain and Pisgah National Forest are two of the most sought-after spots to take in the colorful scenery. The historic Biltmore estate is a unique spot to experience fall leaves in all of their splendor and makes you feel like you’re stepping into a scene from Bridgerton. Asheville is also known for its arts district and abundant craft breweries.

Blowing Rock 

Distance: About 680 miles northeast
Blowing Rock is a charming town in the North Carolina mountains. To check out the fall leaves, you can hike up to Bell Mountain or go white water rafting or horseback riding. There are also several picturesque farms and wineries to relax and take in the views.

Grandfather Mountain

Distance: 685 miles northeast
Located in Linville, NC, Grandfather Mountain is one of the most scenic nature parks. Take a walk along the mile-high swinging bridge to different wildlife habitats and hands on exhibits in the Wilson Center for Nature Discovery. You can even book a special VIP tour and go behind the scenes with naturalists and wildlife experts.

Banner Elk

Distance: 690 miles northeast
Banner Elk is a cozy and charming mountain retreat near Boone, NC in the Blue Ridge Mountains. Book a cabin in the woods and then go hiking for some incredible views of the fall colors. Ride the mountain coaster, stroll along their downtown shops, or enjoy the afternoon at one of their many mountainside wineries or breweries.

Banner Elk is also an easy drive to Grandfather Mountain so you can enjoy the best of both towns.

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