Fall Is the Time to Visit the Great Smoky Mountains

Fall Is the Time to Visit the Great Smoky Mountains

A stunning chain of mountains stands between Carolina and Tennessee. These are the Great Smoky Mountains, named for the fog that hangs above them. They are also called the Smokies. The Great Smoky Mountains encompass over 500,000 of breathtaking scenery and are home to the most visited national park in the US, the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Visitors come from around the world to enjoy this amazing beauty and enjoy the parks many lakes, mountain creeks, forests, wildlife and unique experience. Also, due to the difference in elevations, the fall colors can last for weeks, meaning there is no better time to visit.

Sunrise climbs over Mt. Cammerer. Nowhere can you see all the colors of the fall in one beautiful photo.

An amazing above-the-clouds look at 6600 feet, leaving only the tops of the mountains to be seen.

High in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, where one can see for miles around at the sea of green, golden and red trees - Yellow birch, American beech, mountain maple, pin cherry and hobblebush. This is an amazing place to enjoy the colors.

Cades Cove is a broad valley nestled between mountains and is very popular among visitors to the Great Smoky Mountains. Visitors also enjoy many wildlife sightings in the park.

The incredible diversity of trees in the Smoky Mountains National Park is the cause of the unique color patterns that can be witnessed here.

Although these falls, the Abrams Falls, are only 20 feet high, their force and the long, deep pool at the end make this site very visit-worthy and a beautiful place to photograph. Located in Cades Cove, this waterfall was named after a Cherokee chief who village once stood a few miles away.

Roaring Fork Motor Trail is a fitting name for this energetic creek, one of the fastest flowing streams in the park. Catch it after a rain and you'll discover the why behind the name.

Even the colors of the rainbow take a second seat at times to the color display offered by the tree tops.

The Smoky Mountains Park is quite huge, offering more than 150 hiking trails that span more than 800 linear miles.

The fog rising over the mountains may resemble smoke at times, but is caused by the higher levels of moisture found in the air. Snowfall in winter can be high, and the park may get up to twice the amount of rain the surrounding areas get.

The Cherokee called this area: "Land of the Blue Smoke."

Research has shown that bears can generally distinguish between colors, which, happily means they can enjoy the myriad colors of the forest at this time of year. Besides bears, the Smokies are home to 65 species of mammals, over 230 species birds, 43 species of amphibians, 60 species of fish, and 40 species of reptiles.

This creek trail is based on an old railroad they used to haul lumber out of the mountains at the turn of the century. A little further a bench is waiting for travelers to sit and admire the scenery.

Most trails are fenced by tall trees at various stages of foliage. This is way to Ramsey Cascades, the tallest waterfall in this park.

About one hundred native tree species grow in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, and that is more than in all of North Europe combined.

A side look at the Smokies from Highway 441, on a beautiful morning.

Fall has come to this little river near Tremont.

The sun and the foliage collaborating in making this a gorgeous morning.

A remarkable view from Blue Ridge Parkway.

Rising mountain 'smoke', as seen from Heintooga Ridge Road.

And we end with a stunning fall sunset over this beautiful and incredible park.