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USDA Forest Service officials say fall is a popular time of year in the Cherokee National Forest (Forest). Each year during fall thousands of people from near and far visit the Forest to witness the blazes of red, gold, yellow, bronze and purple that signal the passing of summer and the coming of winter. The peak fall foliage-viewing period can vary from area to area depending on several factors. The factors that influence fall leaf color are shorter day lengths, weather (primarily cooler temperatures and less moisture) and changing levels of leaf pigments. 
The only constant factor from year to year is the shortening day length. As days become shorter and nights grow longer, biochemical processes in the leaf initiate changing leaf color. All the other factors vary annually, making the prediction of fall color peak difficult. The typical peak period of fall color in the Cherokee National Forest ranges from mid-late October through early November. The northern Cherokee National Forest ranger districts (Watauga & Unaka) usually peak earlier than the southern ranger districts (Tellico & Ocoee). A weekly fall color report is available online that provides current information about viewing conditions in the Cherokee National Forest.
The Cherokee National Forest is the largest single tract of public land in Tennessee. It covers over 656,000 acres in ten east Tennessee counties stretching from Chattanooga to Bristol. There are hundreds of miles of trails in the Forest that offer the opportunity to see nature up close and in relative solitude. Viewing the fall colors from highways continues to be a popular activity.
There are several routes that offer scenic viewing opportunities in and adjacent to the CherokeeNational Forest. Following are a few scenic drives in East Tennessee:
NORTHEAST TENNESSEE 
• TN-107/TN-81 Greeneville to Erwin — Unaka Ranger District, Greene, Washington, and Unicoi counties. From Greeneville travel through the Nolichucky River Valley along the base of the Bald Mountains. Then drive through a narrow corridor between cliffs and the Nolichucky River. Scenic views of farmland, rural communities, mountains and the river are to be found along the way. From the scenic town of Erwin, you have the option of traveling on 1-26 toward Johnson City or toward Sam’s Gap and on to North Carolina.
• Newport (US 25/70) to Greeneville (TN 107) — Unaka Ranger District, Cocke and Greene counties: From Newport travel along the French Broad River Valley surrounded by mountains to the historic town of Del Rio. Then take TN 107 toward Greeneville. This drive winds through the Cherokee National Forest and down into Houston Valley to South Greene County. Scenic views of farmland and mountains abound along the way.
• TN State Route 143 to Carver’s Gap — Watauga-Ranger District, Carter County: From US HWY 19E turn onto TN 143 at the community of Roan Mountain. This scenic route climbs through Roan Mountain State Park and Cherokee National Forest to Carver’s Gap where there are numerous long-distance mountain vistas, picnic spots, rhododendrons and spruce-fir forests.
• US 321/TN 67 Scenic Drive — Watauga-Ranger District, Carter & Johnson counties: These scenic drives follow the shoreline of Watauga Lake, accessing several national forest recreation areas and providing scenic views of the Lake and Cherokee National Forest land on Iron Mountain. The highways split east of the lake, where both individual routes pass through farmlands, rural communities and scenic mountain views toward Mountain City, TN and Boone, N.C.
SOUTHEAST TENNESSEE
• Ocoee Scenic Byway — Ocoee Ranger District, Polk County, TN: The first designated National Forest Scenic Byway in the nation includes 26 miles of US 64 and Forest Road 77. This two-lane route winds past Parksville Lake, through the Ocoee River Gorge and past the Ocoee Whitewater Center. Take a side trip up the 7-mile Chilhowee Scenic Spur, Forest Road 77, to Chilhowee Recreation Area. The winding drive up the mountain offers several pull-outs with great views of surrounding mountains and the Tennessee Valley.
• Hiwassee River Road — Ocoee Ranger District, Polk County, TN: From US 411,TN State Route 30 follows the Hiwassee State Scenic River to the historic community of Reliance. This road is narrow and winding. Continue south on TN 30 to US HWY 64 where you have the option to travel east toward Ducktown or west to Cleveland.
• Tellico River Road — Tellico Ranger District, Monroe County, TN: Take State Route 165 from Tellico Plains to Forest Road 210. The route follows the Tellico River past Bald River Falls, where you can view the magnificent falls. Views along the River are beautiful. The road is narrow and winding.
• Cherohala Skyway — Tellico Ranger District, Monroe County: View outstanding mountain scenery from this 43-mile National Scenic Byway –TN State Route 165 from Tellico Plains, TN to Robbinsville, NC (NC 143). The route travels through the beautiful Cherokee and Nantahala national forests. From Tellico Plains travel along the Tellico River before beginning to climb higher. At higher elevations you can stop at overlooks to take in expansive views of the Tennessee Valley and of mountain peaks.