We just returned from a long weekend in the Smoky Mountains. We had the chance to go to Cades Cove and Clingman’s Dome so we did see some decent color in some areas but was a bit disappointed there wasn’t more color, especially according to reports beforehand about how good this year would be for lots of leaf color in the Smokies. One thing to remember about the leaves changing color in the Smokies, the higher elevations change first and the trees may even lose most of their leaves before the lower elevations see their peak leaf colors in the fall. 
The Black Bear Blog 