Tennessee definitely doesn’t rank on the same plane as New England when it comes to fall foliage, but we still know how to make our hills and valleys explode with color come autumn! The south tends to stay warmer than most other areas in the United States, but we still know how to appreciate fall and get the most out of our fleeting time. These seven spots are fabulous places for Nashville fall foliage, and we think you’ll fall in love with each and every one of them.

1. Warner Parks
Percy Warner Park, 50 Vaughn Rd, Nashville, TN 37221, USA
idintify media/Flickr
Percy and Edwin Warner Parks are well known and easily traversed amongst locals in middle Tennessee, and are known as two of the major public parks in the state. They also operate as a nature sanctuary, so you'll see all sorts of wildlife while ogling the trees.
2. Long Hunter State Park
Long Hunter State Park, 2910 Hobson Pike, Hermitage, TN 37076, USA
Brent Moore/Flickr
Long Hunter State Park is one of the more popular state parks in the middle Tennessee area, and it's made up of almost 3,000 acres of gorgeous forested land. If you can imagine, those trees GLOW come autumn.
3. Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park
Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park, 600 James Robertson Pkwy, Nashville, TN 37243, USA
Larry Darling/Flickr
Located right outside of downtown Nashville, Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park is the best "urban" park of sorts for you to experience stunning autumn colors. It's great for a picnic or a quick meal at the Farmers' Market, and the wide open spaces are fun for kids to run around.

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4. Harpeth River State Park
Harpeth River State Park - Hidden Lake, 7851 McCrory Ln, Nashville, TN 37221, USA
Brent Moore/Flickr
Harpeth River State Park is known for its fantastic foray into riverfront water sports, and its location between both Cheatham and Davidson Counties makes it easy for folks to hike the historic trails that crisscross the park.
5. Montgomery Bell State Park
Montgomery Bell State Park, 1020 Jackson Hill Rd, Burns, TN 37029, USA
Michael Hicks/Flickr
Located in Burns, Tennessee, Montgomery Bell State Park is almost 4,000 acres and it makes for an incredible hiking and fall foliage experience.
6. Peeler Park
Peeler Park Greenway, Nashville, TN 37115, USA
Michael Hicks/Flickr
Located just outside of Nashville in Madison, Peeler Park is a fantastic spot for hiking and waterfront views. The Cumberland River snakes through it, and there's even a boat ramp if you're looking to really indulge.
7. Radnor Lake
Radnor Lake, Oak Hill, TN 37220, USA
Derek Bruff/Flickr
Radnor Lake is tucked away in south Nashville, and is one of the best spots to find lush fall foliage just outside of the city. You can walk the Lake Loop or go trail running, and the nature center is a great spot for kids.

You can continue to explore the stunning beauty of our state with a visit to this gorgeous waterfall in Tennessee – it’s seriously so incredible!

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Nashville Fall Foliage

Tori Jane | August 15, 2022

Where are some of the best places for viewing Nashville fall foliage?  

As if Nashville isn’t already amazingly beautiful no matter when you decide to visit (or move here!), it certainly seems to take on an even more special magic in the fall. During autumn, when the leaves are ablaze with color and the temperatures are returning to somewhere around tolerable, it’s tradition to go out and enjoy it all. Some of the best places to see fall colors in Nashville during the season include the Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park, where the variety of trees makes the variety of color really pop. Speaking of which, honestly, all of the state parks in Tennessee make for amazing places to view fall color. 

What is it like in Nashville in the fall? 

Fall is probably the best time to visit Nashville thanks to its pleasant weather, fun festivals, and amazing color that lights up every corner of every street. Typically, temperatures begin dropping in September, with the average high temp being 83 degrees (average low: 62 degrees). In October, it gets a little chillier, with a high of 79 degrees and a low of 49 degrees, and November is when the cold really begins to settle in, with highs around 61 degrees and lows in the low 40s. Humidity is low at this time, and there are all sorts of delightful festivals and events to welcome the changing of the seasons.  

When do the leaves change in Nashville?  

Typically, you’ll begin to see the earliest hints of leaves changing in late September. The tops of the trees, and their outermost leaves, will begin to subtly turn – a hint for the amazement to come. The changing will continue, gradually, through October, though by the end of the first week of November the colors will likely be past their prime. You’ll want to retreat to wooded areas and town centers with lots and lots of trees for the ultimate experience – we promise it’s worth it! In fact, leaf peeping is one of our all-time favorite things to do in Nashville.  

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