Nashville’s Big Back Yard features fall colors in The Shoals

FLORENCE — Looking to find a place to take in the fall colors?

Look no further than The Shoals region in North Alabama. The area features foliage with some of the most striking and breathtaking shades of red, yellow, and brown that can be found in the entire state.

The Shoals is a small portion of a larger area known as Nashville’s Big Back Yard. Just south of Music City, the Big Back Yard encompasses 12 small towns in Tennessee and The Shoals region, all connected by 100 miles of the historic Natchez Trace National Parkway.

“We’ve kind of built a culture of celebrating the beauty around us each fall,” said Jim Salge,
foliage expert and former meteorologist. “When people talk about leaf peeping, it’s more than just driving around and looking at trees.

“It’s building family traditions. It’s building a culture of enjoying the beautiful weather and beautiful colors we have.”

Here are some recommended stops in the Shoals for those working their way through Nashville’s Big Back Yard.

• Wichahpi Commemorative Stone Wall at milepost 338 of the Natchez Trace in Alabama is called a sacred place and not to be missed. The longest unmortared wall in the United States was built by Tom Hendrix. It represents his great-great-grandmother Te-lah-nay’s five-year journey back to her homeland after being relocated to Oklahoma on the Trail of Tears.
• Founded on the beautiful Tennessee River, The Shoals brings inspiring travel adventures with world-class music, outdoor adventures and Southern cuisine.
• American Fashion Designer Billy Reid celebrates 20 years by reviving his popular Shindig, Oct. 11-13 in his hometown of Florence. The event features food, music, art and fashion. Book your stay in The GunRunner, voted the No. 1 Boutique Hotel in the U.S. by USA Today.