CLARKSVILLE, TN (CLARKSVILLE NOW) – The fall foliage forecasts are in, and Clarksville should see the leaves begin to change color in just a few weeks.

Montgomery County’s leaves will begin to change color in early October, and they will reach “moderate color” by late October, according to the Tennessee Fall Foliage Map from ExploreFall.com. “Peak color” is expected from early to mid-November, then it will be all over by Thanksgiving.

We have some great areas to check out spectacular fall foliage, and it all depends on what kind of walking, biking or driving you have in mind.

Scenic walks, hikes and bikes

Clarksville and Montgomery County have several parks with beautiful trails. Here are the top three for checking out autumn colors:

Clarksville Greenway: The Greenway is a paved walking and biking trail built mainly along an abandoned railbed, and it includes scenic views of Big West Fork Creek, hills, valleys and a large walking bridge. The 6-mile trail runs from Heritage Park at the north to the Red River at the south. Bicycles are available for rent at the Pollard Road Trailhead.

Dunbar Cave State Park: The state park has over 3 miles of mostly unpaved walking trails through the hills, woods and grassland behind the cave. It’s at 401 Old Dunbar Cave Road.

Rotary Park: This Montgomery County park boasts over 6 miles of unpaved hiking and biking trails through the woods, with a creek flowing through, plus a nature adventure trail. Rotary Park is at 2308 Rotary Park Drive.

Scenic drives

To enjoy fall colors from the comfort of your car, there are two wonderful routes in Montgomery County, and another through our nearby national park.

Highway 149: If you drive directly south from Clarksville on Highway 48/13, then hang a right on Highway 149 toward Cumberland City, you’ll travel over rolling hills that give beautiful views of the trees.

Highway 13: If you keep going on 48/13 and hang a right in on Highway 13 toward Erin, you’ll travel over similar rolling hills along well-wooded areas.

The Trace at Land Between the Lakes: Go west of Clarksville on Highway 79 and hang a right just past Dover on Highway 49 to take The Trace north through Land Between the Lakes, a national park in our backyard. To give you an idea of what to expect, The Trace is formally called the Woodlands Trace National Scenic Byway. And if you’re lucky, you might spot a herd of bison in the South Bison Range Picnic Area.

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