"In addition to leaf peeping, visitors will find so much to do this time of year in Pigeon Forge,” Jessica Bookstaff Doppelt says.
PIGEON FORGE, TN (PRWEB) October 16, 2014
Folks looking to make the most of autumn foliage in the Great Smoky Mountains have just a few couple of weeks left until the colors peak, turning the mountains and surrounding cities into seasonal wonderland full of bright hues and fall fun.
According to Jessica Bookstaff Doppelt of PigeonForge.com, recent rains have given the mountain’s trees a healthy drink that should help the mountains’ annual foliage display last though late October or early November.
“Autumn in the Great Smoky Mountains is a special time of year,” Doppelt said. “It is amazing to watch the fall colors travel down the mountainsides, starting at the highest elevations and then bleeding into the Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge and the rest of the foothills.”
Doppelt isn’t alone in her love of fall colors. October is the second-busiest month for visitors to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, and Doppelt would like to personally welcome the 1.4 million guests expected to pass through the park before the end of the month.
“In addition to leaf peeping, visitors will find so much to do this time of year in Pigeon Forge,” she said. “Mild fall weather makes hiking and exploring the mountains pleasant. Additionally, Harvestfest and other special events make Pigeon Forge come alive with fun and seasonal splendor.”
Doppelt points out that what makes the season so colorful in the Smokies is the region’s diverse population of trees. Experts count more than 100 species of native trees growing in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. A vast majority of the region’s trees are deciduous, which means they shed their leaves annually – but not before putting on a fantastic show. The brilliant color shift occur when the green chlorophyll breaks down within the leaves, resulting in chemical changes and vivid hues. The timing of fall color change is impacted by so many variables that the exact dates of "peak" season are practically impossible to predict in advance.
And even though the reason for the color change might be scientific, to Doppelt the result is pure magic.
“Seeing the mountains washed with color is a dreamlike experience,” Doppelt said. “The brilliant reds, golds and oranges draw visitors to the Smokies each year. In fact, October is usually the second busiest month of the year in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.”
For more information about the season’s foliage, Doppelt encourages visitors to click over to http://www.PigeonForge.com, where they’ll have instant access to fall color reports, lodging, special events, Smoky Mountain activities and much more.
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About PigeonForge.com:
Jessica Bookstaff Doppelt has helped thousands of people plan Smoky Mountain vacations since she launched PigeonForge.com in 2000. She grew up in Pigeon Forge and consider the Great Smoky Mountains her home. She is happy to share all the great things about the area and help you enjoy a perfect getaway through her website where you can easily browse lodging, attractions, restaurants, wedding information and more. For additional information, visit http://www.PigeonForge.com or follow PigeonForge.com on Facebook and Twitter.
