Fall Color Tours Along Scenic Drives |
| Contacts: Diane West * PO Box 143 * Etowah, TN * 37331 * 423-263-7232 * dwest@tennesseeoverhill.com |
Fall Color Tours Along Scenic Drives
From late September to early November the hills in the Cherokee National Forest, which covers 633,000 acres in ten east Tennessee Counties are ablaze with color. Beauty comes in many colors as trees are at or near the fall color season. The last two weekends in October are usually the best time for seeing nature's beauty at its finest with colors peaking first at the higher elevations. People travel from near and far to see nature show off its many colors during the fall of the year. The Ocoee Ranger District is home to the first National Forest Scenic Byway in the Nation. The Byway is located in Polk County, Tennessee and travels seven miles up to Chilhowee Mountain and 19 miles along US Highway 64 along the Ocoee River. The Ocoee Whitewater Center is located at the upper end of the Gorge, five miles east of Ducktown and is the starting point for hiking the Old Copper Road Trail which offers an opportunity for wildlife viewing. The Cherohala Skyway is located in the Tellico Ranger District in Monroe County, Tennessee. The Cherohala Skyway is 50 miles long and connects Tellico Plans to Robbinsville, NC. As you drive the Skyway and look out across the lower Tennessee Valley the variety and brilliance of the fall colors will amaze you. Dedicated in the fall of 1996, the Cherohala Skyway became an immediate hit with folks who were looking for a colorful and serene setting. Heights of over 5,000 feet are reached as you wind your way through this scenic drive. For a lovely drive that is not as well traveled as other spots, follow along the Hiwassee River to Reliance in Polk County, Tennessee for breathtaking views of the river and wildlife. Walk along the John Muir Recreational Trail for brilliant color. To find out when the colors are at their peak, visitors can contact the Cherokee National Forest Fall Color Hotline at 1-800-204-6366 or the National Fall Color Hotline at 1-800-354-4595.
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For questions,contact the Tennessee Overhill; PO Box 143; Etowah, TN 37331; 423-263-7232; cldwll@usit.net or order them online here
February 5, 2002
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