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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Richard...the snow gives you a whole new perspctive to shoot. Lucky You!!!! Love the bottom photo!
I have only been through the Smokeys during the Summer. That winter shot is really good.
Richard, I'm a SoCal girl... not much for snow... but the scenery sounds absolutely beautiful and the pictures are breathtaking!
Richard, I LOVE LOVE LOVE the Smokey Mts in the winter. We used to watch the kids sled at the top (Newfound Gap, I think)... lots of fun ... and your photos are beautiful. They really do capture the feeling of being there ... and the cold!
Nice pics Richard! Hope you have a wonderful and prosperous New Year :)
Bill...
These are actually film photos, so they have "that look!" Thanks my friend.
Guy...
Winter in the Smokies is cool ...no check that ... it's COLD! THX
Gary...
Rare to see a bear when it's really cold. Thanks a lot for jumping in!
Richard, those are some beautiful photos! I would so love to go to the Great Smokey Mountains, you have convinced me!
Great pics as usual. I wanna be a black bear!
Never been there....but someday.
Richard, I look forward to another great year of your awesome photos----thanks, and have a great new year.
This is a great Localism post. Very helpful information for people who are visiting, or for locals who may want to take a leisurely, scenic drive =)
The Smokies are beautiful even in the winter. Great pics.
I have been there twice but never in the Winter. I don't know how to even drive on frozen roads. Best for me to stay away.
Richard, love the snow photos, and winter driving conditions are something that everyone should take heed of in any mountain range! Great reminder and thanks for showing us some of this gorgeous area in the winter!
So beautiful, Richard. A friend of mine just came back from there about a month ago with some terrific shots. Her photos and yours sure make me want to visit out there one day!
Debi