Tucked within the nook the place Tennessee, Alabama, and Georgia join are a few of America’s most stunning deciduous forests. The foothills of the Appalachian Mountains at all times provide stunning waterfalls, hikes, and caves. Nevertheless, in the course of the peak of fall foliage season, these hills are decked in autumn colours of purple, yellow, and orange.
Our fall foliage highway journey lays out a route alongside the Tennessee, Alabama, and Georgia nook that’s a brief drive from Atlanta, Nashville, or Birmingham. This 4.5-hour / 200-miles highway journey is the proper approach to see fall colours when you reside even remotely near this stunning nook of the world!
Scottsboro
We selected to start out our fall foliage tour in Scottsboro close by Huntsville. Nevertheless, when you’re coming in from Birmingham or Atlanta, you’ll most likely hop in at Fort Payne.
There are many enjoyable issues to do in Scottsboro, together with America’s solely Unclaimed Baggage Heart and the extremely well-priced (and delightful!) waterfront cabins at Jackson County Park. From right here, you are taking Rt-35 throughout Lake Guntersville and over the hills to Fort Payne. Make sure to respect the autumn colours lining the Tennessee River as you cross over Veteran’s Drive Bridge.
Fort Payne
Fort Payne, aka Alabama’s Mountain City, is on the base of the foothills proper off I-59. The historic foremost avenue is totally charming with native eats and buying boutiques. Benefit from the metropolis parks and tree-lined roads as you move by way of this pleasant city.
Little River Falls
Simply previous Fort Payne, you’ll discover the Little River. This could be the nation’s largest mountain high river, and it carved out one of many south’s deepest canyons because it flowed down Lookout Mountain to the Coosa River. The Little River Nationwide Protect protects 15,288 acres alongside each side of the canyon. Hardcore fans whitewater raft down the size of the canyon, however you possibly can see the highlights with a brief driving tour.
Begin on the Little River Falls, a forty five′ waterfall that you simply’ll discover roaring throughout a winter or spring waterfall highway journey. The water degree is decrease this time of 12 months, exposing picturesque sandstone shoals lined with blazing fall colours. Should you’re up for a little bit of hike, a few small trails lead all the way down to the water.
Little River Canyon Rim Parkway
Once you soaked up your fill of fall at water degree, head again throughout the bridge to discover the scenic Little River Canyon Rim Parkway. It’s about 11-miles of essentially the most stunning twisty, turny pavement from the beginning of the parkway to Eberhart Level. It’s the kind of highway you’ll anticipate to see in a bike business winding by way of a tunnel of hardwood bushes, previous iconic rock formations, and coming out onto pullouts with sweeping vistas.
Should you’re in a rush, be at liberty to show round on the Canyon View Overlook simply earlier than you permit the canyon rim to circumnavigate a big aspect canyon. Should you actually (actually, actually….) wish to discover, you possibly can attempt to navigate all the way in which all the way down to the canyon mouth, however be warned, the highway will get significantly rougher previous Eberhart Level, so we’d suggest turning round and hold heading alongside the ridgeline of Lookout Mountain to the subsequent cease.
DeSoto State Park
DeSoto State Park is a 1/2 hour drive away from Little River Canyon. The route alongside the ridge is gorgeous, however it’s completely splendid round DeSoto State Park.
The park has greater than 30-miles of climbing trails, however when you’re trying to stretch your legs throughout a fall coloration highway journey, look no additional than the Talmadge Butler Boardwalk Path. This 360 yard wood boardwalk gives a straightforward path by way of wooded slopes and over the moist forest ground. The Boardwalk ends with a 20′ octagon deck over the Azalea Cascades pool. This 3′ waterfall is likely one of the smallest within the park.
Desoto Falls
Desoto Falls is simply across the nook. You possibly can take the 50 stair steps all the way down to the railed overlook under the historic A. A. Miller Dam and see the decrease falls and bushes in. DeSoto Canyon. Make sure to search for the boathouse throughout the pool above the dam. This constructing makes for an iconic Alabama fall coloration image.
Mentone
You’ll drive by way of Mentone as you head up Lookout Mountain into Georgia. This charming city gives a number of eating places that pay homage to its mountain setting, just like the Tip Prime Bake Store, Elevation Bistro, and Wildflower Café. There’s even an lovely mattress and breakfast for the sluggish journey crowd. Mentone Space Preservation Affiliation (MAPA) has hosted the annual Mentone Colorfest for greater than three many years when you’re in search of an excuse for a highway journey. Come for the autumn colours and keep for native artists, avenue meals, and reside music.
Cloudland Canyon
From Mentone, comply with the Lookout Mountain ridgeline into Georgia and Cloudland Canyon State Park. There are tons of causes to return to Cloudland Canyon, like waterfall hikes, disc golf, mountain biking, and yurt glamping. Nevertheless, the queen of the autumn needs to be the Overlook Path.
A number of hundred ft out of your automotive is the 1000′ deep Sitton’s Gulch, a pure limestone canyon carved over 1000’s of years by Sitton’s Creek. The brief and candy Overlook Path takes you to the rim, the place you possibly can see down the size of the canyon decked out in its autumn glory.
Lookout Mountain
The city of Lookout Mountain is simply throughout the state line in Tennessee, the place you’ll discover the epicenter of Fall In Tennessee, not less than the Chattanooga space. Rocktoberfest involves Rock Metropolis each weekend in October, or you possibly can discover the spooky aspect of the season with Ruby Falls‘ Ghost Stroll Lantern Tour or Dread Hole.
Should you’re in search of a extra subdued tour of Lookout Mountain, you possibly can try the views from Level Park, discover the pure bridge on the Spiritualist Camp Floor, or take a driving tour of the historic houses and gardens. You possibly can’t escape the views from Lookout Mountain, even when you’re solely descending into Chattanooga.
Chattanooga
Chattanooga is the ultimate cease on our fall foliage highway journey. There are at all times enjoyable issues to do in Chattanooga, however it’s particular within the fall. Wine Over Water is Tennessee’s premier wine-tasting pageant and the unofficial begin of fall within the Volunteer State. You possibly can pattern wines from over 100 world wineries on the enduring Walnut Road Bridge. You’ll additionally discover fall foliage riverboat cruises alongside the Grand Canyon of the Tennessee River. The Chattanooga riverfront is the proper place to seize a chunk to eat or bask in a decadent dessert (taking a look at you, Clumpies)!
Wrapping up our Southern Fall Foliage Highway Journey
Fall Leaf Season within the Tennessee/Alabama/Georgia highlands runs from late September by way of mid-November. It normally peaks in mid-October however runs later with a moist summer time or heat fall. These forests are particular as a result of they’re the final main stands of deciduous bushes earlier than the pines take over farther south. It’s the closest fall coloration you’ll discover to the deep south.
The route we laid out takes about 4 1/2 hours with out stops, together with your return to Scottsboro through the highways. Because you’re going to make stops, this can be a full-day affair. In case you are in search of a little bit further fuel cash, a enjoyable factor to strive is sport apps that pay actual cash. You possibly can simply flip it right into a weekend getaway when you needed to take a number of hikes or take part in a pageant. Regardless of the way you select to discover, you’ll not be upset with nature’s fall bounty!
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