I went in late July, rode through 3 hrs of rain S from Lexington KY, but WX in mountains was perfect. I ride the dragon first thing in the morning, preferably on a weekday. The "Tree of Shame" at Deal's Gap is not to be missed.
Cherahola Skyway is a fantastic ride as well.
Good luck and be safe out there!

 

We always go in late September to late October. The trees are all turned and the weather is perfect.

 

I am going mid October. We have been many times, but have never seen the leaves change. Hopefully we will see color and be able to ride.

 

I am in Gatlinburg as I type this. It has been very humid from on our ride from Florida to Kentucky and now coming back south to Tennesse, North Carolina mountains. We just can't get a break from the humidity. Klingmans Dome was cool and windy which was a relief.

 

Don't wait too late into October or else you run into the hoards of slow moving leaf gawkers!

 

 

anytime late april until late october.... i have been in all these months.... less rain for sure in sept and oct.. beautiful , crisp and cool up higher tops but somethin about the summer months with all the bike activity is an awful lot of fun too.... just go... these weather folks cant forecast anymore anyway..dont forget the BR parkway from cherokee to asheville... bettr than the cherahala anyday in my book

 

We ride there often from Wisconsin The last two weeks - first week July. Except of Memorial day not overly crowded . cools off latter in the day off it does get hot .

 

We went. Hit perfect weather. Needed jackets up on the tops. Got in rain one afternoon. Overload of smiles on my sons! I was amazed at all the bikers of many types there. Maybe half of our Maggie Valley hotel. Great talks everywhere.

We did some BRP (my kid LOVED the tunnels), Smoky park, cherohala, waterfall byway, Dragon, and a ton of other roads. I have to get back. This was a whirlwind trip. need some more time, maybe a few less tourists??

 

I have been down there from memorial day to well past labor day. The closer you can get to September the better. I have only 2 windows that I can go and take the wife. Memorial Day and the first portion of August. It does get pretty hot in the valleys and towns in the summer. Spring is to unpredictable. Fall is a better deal if you can swing it especially after the kids are back in school.