Top 3 Reasons Why You’ll Want to Visit the Cherokee National Forest This Fall
The Cherokee National Forest is a popular destination because of its gorgeous scenery and fun recreational opportunities, ranging from hiking to white water rafting! While it is a wonderful place to visit all year long, the fall season is an extra special time to experience the natural beauty of this amazing area of Tennessee! Here are the top 3 reasons why you’ll want to visit the Cherokee National Forest this fall:
1. Spectacular Fall Foliage
If you’re lucky enough to visit the Cherokee National Forest in autumn, you’ll be treated to a magical display of fall colors everywhere you look! The peak fall foliage season can vary from area to area based on weather and other factors, especially when you consider that the forest covers 656,000 acres in ten east Tennessee counties! The peak period of fall color in the area is generally from mid to late October through early November. The northern sections of the Forest (Watauga and Unaka) usually peak earlier than the southern sections (Tellico and Ocoee). Don’t miss the opportunity to experience the dazzling blazes of red, gold, yellow, and bronze that signal the passing of summer!
2. Perfect Weather for Outdoor Activities
Another one of the reasons why you’ll want to visit this area of Tennessee this fall is to take advantage of the perfect weather for outdoor activities! You’ll find that the heat and humidity of the summer months have faded away for more comfortable conditions with warm days and cool nights. The daytime highs are normally in the 70s and 80s in September and in the 50s and 60s in early November. As you can see, this is a delightful time to experience one of the many hiking trails throughout the area! There are over 600 miles of trails to explore, including 150 miles of the Appalachian Trail! There are plenty of other recreational opportunities too, including camping, fishing, bird watching, and more!
3. Last Chance of the Season for White Water Rafting
You’ll definitely want to visit the Cherokee National Forest this fall as it’s your last chance of the season to experience our white water rafting trips on the Ocoee River! We offer rafting trips on weekends in the fall, so get your family and friends together for an adventure of a lifetime! During your fun excursion through a stunning gorge, you’ll encounter class III and IV rapids and nonstop action! Our trips are led by experienced guides who want to make sure you have a fun and safe time on the river, and all guides are trained in CPR, First-Aid, and swift water rescue. If the weather happens to be a bit cool on the day of your trip, we recommend bringing wool, fleece, or polyester top and pants. Be sure to avoid cotton as it doesn’t have any insulating value once it gets wet!
Now that you know why to visit the Cherokee National Forest this fall, don’t miss your last chance to join us on one of our white water rafting trips on the Ocoee River before the off-season! We look forward to seeing you soon!
