The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is a great place to visit during any season of the year, but winter offers special opportunities not available during the other three seasons.
Due to the fact that the leaves are off of the trees, views are enhanced from nearly every vantage point, and on a clear day in winter you can see an exceptionally long way!
However, if you plan to visit the park in the winter, please be aware that many of the secondary roads are closed during cold weather.
The roads that are seasonally closed include Clingman’s Dome Road, Heintooga Ridge Road, Roundbottom/Straight Fork Road, Rich Mountain Roada and the Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail.
The roads that are open all year (weather permitting) are the Newfound Gap road (U.S. 441,) Little River Road, Laurel Creek Road and the Cades Cove Loop Road.
Most roads reopen in late April or early May for the busy summer and fall seasons.
If you plan on visiting the park before then, you might want to consider getting out of the car and hiking. The trails are less crowed and offer a unique beauty in the winter that is unlike any other time of the year.
But don’t plan on seeing any black bears, as they are denning during the winter and will not emerge until the onset of warmer weather!

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The Great Smoky Mountains National Park enjoys a rich history of prior human habitation within the contemporary park boundaries.




The Abrams Falls Trail in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park offers one of the best day hikes for those seeking a mountain waterfall experience.
Plan at least four hours for the complete trip as you'll want to stop and take photographs along the way. Those not used to trail hiking may also have to pause for brief rests here and there on some of the longer climbs. And of course, you'll want to linger at the falls to enjoy the sight, sound, and smell of this wonder of nature.
Flutter and flurry and winter's chill
There is always a lot of confusion about how to correctly spell the word "smoky." Or is it "Smokey?" You see it spelled both ways so often because it is actually the correct spelling of the word either way!
In mid to late October, the fall foliage colors will peak in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park Nearly two million visitors will travel to the Park to experience the most colorful season of the year!





In part three of this series
It is a cool and moist place, with beautiful forests, some overlooks, and incredible stream views. There are also several preserved historic structures along the route, so you'll want to make sure that you take a self-guided tour brochure with you. (available at the entrance to the trail.)
In part two of this series
You first stop should be at the Cataloochee Overlook. From here you can see the entire valley, and the ridges of the Smoky Mountains in the distance.
Early morning or late evening is the best time for elk viewing. You can easily do this from the comfort of your car or better yet, sitting on the tailgate of a pickup truck. There is nothing quite like the sound of a bull elk bugling. It's an amazing thing to hear!
In part one of this series
There are incredible views in every direction, looking down the Oconaluftee Valley towards the Plott Balsams of North Carolina or down the west prong of the Little Pigeon River towards the Sugarlands and Gatlinburg Tennessee.
A friend of mine is visiting the Great Smoky Mountains National Park in October, and asked me about some of my favorite places. He added one caveat ...he needed to see the park sights within limited walking distance from the car.
Halfway around the loop is a Visitor's Center, where you can get more information about the park and lots of helpful information. There are also restrooms here that are easily accessible.
It has been an interesting and controversial weekend. I have engaged in mental sparring with a lot of people that are much smarter than me, and it has taken its toll!

The Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail is a popular and pleasant diversion from the hustle and bustle of busy downtown Gatlinburg. Although it takes just minutes to get there from the heart of town, the visitor is transported to a completely different time and place!
A few brave settlers once built small hardscrabble farms along this watercourse, and a few structures have been preserved here in an effort to depict what life was like in the time before the national park was established.
The black bear is the most popular and sought-after photography subject in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Park visitors all want to catch a glimpse of the large mammals, and will cast reason and good sense aside in order to land a "trophy" photo.
And finally, make one of the three park visitor's centers your first stop on your next visit. Get the very latest information about active areas and closures. A little information and a lot of common sense go a long way towards a safe park experience.
In 1776, about the time our country was declaring it's independence from the throne of England, naturalist William Bartram entered the Cherokee territory alone and on foot. Batram was determined to document as many species of flora and fauna as possible on his expedition.
Near Bryson City North Carolina lies one of the most interesting and least known areas of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Although frequented by locals, the Deep Creek area of the park offers more recreational opportunities than any other place in the park.
To get to the falls, simply follow the Lower Deep Creek Trail from the parking lot. At about 0.2 miles, you will be treated to the sights and sounds of Tom's Branch Falls, tumbling into Deep Creek!
The Cherokee people called the Great Smoky Mountains "Shaconage," or "place of blue smoke." It is a place of remarkable natural beauty, incredible views, and sparkling streams.
The John Oliver Cabin is a pioneer log cabin located in Cades Cove, which now lies within the boundaries of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
To climb o'er root and rock aloft
Of all of the mountain peaks in the park, none are more easily recognized that the Chimney Tops. The Chimneys owes their name to chimney like stone outcropping at the top of the mountain. From these rocks, you get a spectacular 360 degree view of the Tennessee side of the National Park.

