The Most Romantic Fall Scenic Drives in the Smoky Mountains

Foothills Parkway (Walland to Wears Valley Section)

If there’s one thing Jason and I will almost always recommend to guests in the fall, it’s this: get in the car and go for a drive. I know. Groundbreaking travel advice. But hear me out. Some of the prettiest places in the Smokies aren’t places where you need a ticket, a reservation or even much of a plan. Sometimes all you need is a cup of coffee, a good playlist and a few hours with nowhere you absolutely have to be.

Fall is hands-down one of the best times to do it. So, if you’re staying with us—or anywhere around Sevierville, Pigeon Forge or Gatlinburg—here are some of our favorite scenic drives for a fall couples getaway in the Smoky Mountains. And because “take a scenic drive” isn’t particularly helpful advice on its own, I’m also going to tell you which one I’d choose depending on the kind of day you’re looking for.

Foothills Parkway

Best for: Big mountain views without making it an all-day event
Our pick for: Sunrise/Sunset
Time to allow: A couple of hours if you’re stopping and enjoying it

If you only have time for one scenic drive while you’re here, this would be very high on my list. Foothills Parkway gives you those huge, layered Smoky Mountain views that you picture when you think about East Tennessee in the fall. And the best part? You don’t have to hike uphill for two hours to see them.

There are overlooks all along the route where you can pull off, get out and enjoy the view. And please actually get out. I know it’s tempting to say, “Oh, that’s pretty,” through the windshield and keep driving, but pull over. Take the picture together. Stand there for a few minutes. If you can time this drive around sunset, even better. Pack a blanket or sweatshirt because it can get chilly once the sun starts going down, especially later in the season.

If Jason and I were doing it, we’d grab some snacks and something to drink, get on Foothills Parkway in the late afternoon and take our time until sunset. No real itinerary required.

Cades Cove Loop Road

Best for: Wildlife + history + classic Smoky Mountain scenery
Our pick for: Perfect for a weekday drive (Summer Wednesday are usually closed to vehicles for bikers/walkers - double check GSM National Park Service website for specific details)
Time to allow: Several hours—and possibly longer during busy fall weekends

Let’s get something out of the way first. Cades Cove can get busy. Really busy. If you go into this expecting to zip around the 11-mile loop and be back in time for brunch, you may find yourself questioning some of your life choices. But if you go into it knowing that this is the activity for the morning, it’s completely different.

Cades Cove is a beautiful open valley surrounded by mountains, and along the loop you’ll find historic churches, cabins, barns and plenty of places to stop. It’s also one of the better places in the park to spot wildlife. You might see deer, wild turkeys and possibly even a black bear. Obviously, give wildlife plenty of space. You’re visiting their home—not the other way around.

My biggest advice for Cades Cove is to go early and don’t rush it. Bring coffee. Bring snacks. Use the restroom before you start the loop. Trust me on that last one. And if traffic stops because someone saw a bear three fields away...well, congratulations. You’ve officially experienced Cades Cove.

Newfound Gap Road

Best for: Dramatic mountain scenery
Our pick for: Seeing different elevations of fall color
Time to allow: Half to full day, if you’re taking your time

If you want to feel like you’re really in the mountains, take Newfound Gap Road from Gatlinburg through Great Smoky Mountains National Park, about 14.5 miles one way. You’ll start at a lower elevation and gradually climb thousands of feet toward Newfound Gap. That elevation change is what makes this drive especially beautiful during fall.

The leaves don’t change everywhere at the same time, so depending on when you visit, you might leave Gatlinburg with mostly green trees and find completely different colors higher in the mountains. There are overlooks and pull-offs along the way, so don’t treat Newfound Gap as simply the destination. Stop, look around and take pictures.

Some stops along the way worth mentioning:

Campbell Overlook
Chimney Tops Picnic Area
Chimney Tops Trail
Alum Cave Trail
Newfound Gap Overlook Area
Charlies Bunion
Kuwohi (formerly Clingmans Dome)
Andrews Bald
Swinging Bridges Overlook
Smokemont Loop Trail
Mingus Mill

When you reach the top, you’ll be right along the Tennessee–North Carolina state line. And yes, you absolutely need the obligatory photo standing with one person in Tennessee and one in North Carolina. We’re tourists too sometimes.

Wears Valley + Foothills Parkway

Best for: A laid-back afternoon with no real agenda
Our pick for: Couples who hate packed itineraries
Time to allow: However long you feel like

This might be my favorite kind of day, not because there’s one giant attraction you’re heading toward, but because there isn’t. Depending on what time you head out, stop for brunch, coffee, or an early lunch. Drive through Wears Valley. There are so many unique places to stop and shop in Wears Valley. Mosey through and stop when you see something interesting. Work you way over to Townsend (the peaceful side of the Smokies). There are several great places in Townsend to grab a late lunch, stop for ice cream, or grab an afternoon coffee at one of the coffee shops. When your full and done sightseeing, work your way toward Foothills Parkway and finish the afternoon with mountain views as you loop back to Wears Valley Rd.

This is one of those days where I would intentionally not schedule something immediately afterward. Don’t spend the whole drive watching the clock because you have tickets somewhere at 3:15. Give yourselves an afternoon where the plan is simply to wander. We don’t do that enough in normal life.

Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail

Best for: Forest scenery, streams + historic cabins
Our pick for: Something completely different from the Parkway
Time to allow: A few hours

This is a really fun option if you’re already spending some time in Gatlinburg. Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail is a narrow, winding drive through a heavily wooded area of Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Instead of the huge panoramic views you’ll find along Foothills Parkway, this drive puts you right down inside the forest.

Think rushing streams, old cabins, moss-covered rocks and trees practically surrounding the road. In fall? Beautiful. This road is narrow and winding, though, so this isn’t the time to pretend you’re auditioning for NASCAR. Take your time. Because it’s a seasonal road, always check current park conditions before heading out.

Little River Road

Best for: River views + a relaxed park drive
Our pick for: Pairing with another adventure
Time to allow: A few hours depending on your stops

Little River Road connects the Gatlinburg area with Townsend and follows the Little River for much of the drive. This is another one where the stops are really part of the experience. You’ll find pull-offs, picnic areas and access to several popular areas of the national park along the way.

It’s especially pretty in fall because you get that combination of colorful trees and water running alongside the road. You can also pair this with Townsend, Cades Cove or Wears Valley and turn it into a full-day loop—which brings me to what I’d actually do if we had an entire day.

What Should You Bring?

You really don’t need much. We’d throw some water, coffee, snacks, a sweatshirt or light jacket, sunglasses and a phone charger in the car. If you’re planning to catch sunset, bring a blanket, and comfortable shoes are always a good idea in case you decide to get out and explore somewhere along the way.

Also—and this one matters—start with a full tank of gas and download whatever music or directions you might need before heading deep into the national park. Cell service in the mountains can be...let’s call it unpredictable.

A Few Things to Know Before You Go

Fall is one of the busiest seasons in the Smokies, especially during peak foliage weekends. That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t go. It just means you need to adjust your expectations a little. Leave early if you’re heading somewhere popular, don’t schedule things back-to-back and always check current road conditions before heading into Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

And most importantly, don’t let traffic ruin the day. You’re surrounded by mountains covered in fall color and sitting beside the person you came here to spend time with. There are worse places to be stuck for a few minutes.

So, Which Scenic Drive Should You Choose?

If you only have a couple of hours, I’d choose Foothills Parkway. If you want wildlife and that classic Smoky Mountain experience, go with Cades Cove. For dramatic mountain views, choose Newfound Gap Road, and if you want forests, streams and historic cabins, try Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail.

If you’re like us and would rather have a laid-back afternoon without much of an itinerary, do Wears Valley + Foothills Parkway. And if you have an entire day? Make your own loop and do a little bit of everything.

The Best Part Is Not Having Anywhere to Be

I think that’s really why I love recommending scenic drives to couples. Most of our normal lives revolve around getting somewhere. Get to work. Get to school. Get to the appointment. Get to practice. Get to dinner. Get home. There’s always somewhere we’re supposed to be next.

But when you’re driving through the Smokies on a cool fall afternoon, there doesn’t have to be a next thing.

Take the road you’ve never taken. Pull over at the overlook. Stay for sunset. And if you get back to your cottage a little later than you planned? That’s okay.

Turn on the fireplace, climb into the soaking tub and call it a pretty good day.