Look Rock Tower, Foothills Parkway
Foothills Parkway, Tennessee · 2,651 ft
A concrete observation tower on a low outlier ridge with the full Smokies crest lined up to the east and the Tennessee Valley opening west. At 2,650 feet it holds color after the high country is bare, and the elevation gap makes the crest read as a separate band.
Seasonal model estimate. Timing remains uncertain; check recent reports before traveling. Source: seasonal timing model. Calculated .
Typical peak
Oct 18 – Oct 26
Long range. Treat as a planning estimate only.
Best light
Works at both ends of the day
Crowds
low
Usually quieter, especially around dawn.
Getting there
Park at the Look Rock lot on Foothills Parkway West between US 129 and US 321 and walk the paved half-mile path to the tower.
What turns here
- sourwood
- red maple
- hickory
Color progression
Typical peak Oct 22Typical color progression for Look Rock Tower, Foothills Parkway. No change from Sep 14 to Oct 1. First color from Oct 1 to Oct 10. Approaching peak from Oct 10 to Oct 18. Peak from Oct 18 to Oct 26. Past peak from Oct 26 to Nov 5. Bare from Nov 5 to Nov 19.
Look Rock Tower, Foothills Parkway is typically at no change on this date.
Light at peak
Look Rock Tower, Foothills Parkway on October 22, the center of its typical peak window.
| Event | Time |
|---|---|
| First light (blue hour) Sun 6° below horizon | 7:22 AM |
| Sunrise Rises ESE · 103° | 7:48 AM |
| Morning golden hour ends 35 min of low, warm light | 8:23 AM |
| Solar noon Highest sun, flattest light | 1:20 PM |
| Evening golden hour starts 35 min before sunset | 6:17 PM |
| Sunset Sets WSW · 257° | 6:52 PM |
| Last light (blue hour) Sun 6° below horizon | 7:18 PM |
Times in America/New York · day length 11h 4m · computed from NOAA solar equations
Which way to point the camera
Sun rises ESE, sets WSW.
Aim within 45° of those and the canopy glows translucent. Turn your back to them for flat, accurate color.
Location pages name the light directly.
Shooting conditions
Glassy water, wind blur, and what the cloud will do to your light.
Recent reports
What people actually saw here. Been recently? Add yours.