Smokie Mountains

[millys]

Hi all,

I have a business trip/conference coming up in July which will take me to Nashville Tn.

Its a pretty 'jam-packed' week so there may not be any free time for photography in Nashville - but I am flying my wife out at the end of the week and we are going to drive to the Smokie Mountains for 5 nights.
I wonder if anyone has some tips on where to visit - particularly for some great photo opportunities?
I'm thinking Galtlinburg for hotel accomodation (not booked yet) as it seems to be right in the heart of the Smokies?

Any help would be much appreciated.

Milly

 

[Porktitioner]

We just returned from The Great Smoky Mountains and had a blast. We live just a few hours drive from the park and usually visit 2 to 3 times per year.

The Great Smoky Mountains Association sells a book called "Family Fun in the Smokies." I find it to be very helpful as it has sample iteneraries based on how much time you have and what you want to do. You can order it from the link below and proceeds benefit the park.

http://shop.smokiesinformation.org/products2.cfm/ID/2664/name/Family-Fun-in-the-Smokies

Also check out the NPS website for up-to-date information about the park.

http://www.nps.gov/grsm/index.htm

Some of my favorite spots are:

Newfound Gap Road:

Newfound Gap by Chris Gafford, on Flickr

Cades Cove:


Cable Mill Water Wheel. Cade's Cove by Chris Gafford, on Flickr

and Little River Road:


Little River.GSMNP.2013 by Chris Gafford, on Flickr



Little River.GSMNP.2013 by Chris Gafford, on Flickr

You can check out my other trip pix here:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/67534880@N04/sets/72157633613804593/

 

[jcb]

Several other suggestions for photographs.

This photo was taken where the Sweat Heifer Creek Trail meets the Appalachian Trail, about 1.7 miles (according to the sign) up the Appalachian Trail from the trail head at Newfound Gap. There is an open area at the start of the Sweat Heifer Creek trail that permits sweeping views of the North Carolina side of the Smokies.

This is one of my favorite photos from the parking lot at Newfound Gap.


If you go up to Newfound Gap, you should also continue up to Clingman's Dome. There is an observation tower on the mountain which is a fairly easy walk along a paved trail. If you are lucky, you'll have clouds on the surrounding mountain.

This was taken from Campbell Lead overlook on the Gatlinburg bypass, a road that you can find on either end of Gatlinburg.

Abrams Falls is in Cades Cove. It would require a significant time investment to get there from Gatlinburg and then you are on a 1 lane (1 way) loop road for 11 miles. It is an easy 2.5 mile hike from midway on the loop.


For a waterfall much closer to Gatlinburg, but a slightly longer and more somewhat more difficult hike, try Rainbow Falls.

As to where to stay, Walt Disney is reputed to have stayed at the Buckhorn Inn. It is not in downtown Gatlinburg but a couple of miles east of downtown out Highway 321. It is not the cheapest place to stay but the rooms are comfortable, the dinners outstanding, and the view of Mount LeConte from the back porch can be stunning.


PM me if you have any questions about locations.

 

[pointandshoot]

Cades Cove is nice loop but can be brutally slow drive as day goes on. Early morning with picnic in mind is a nice day. Likely to see wildlife hence traffic stops to gaze.

Gatlinburg is touristy so expect some crowds and traffic. Depends on what you prefer.

I travel from the North Carolina side so I prefer Asheville. I spend more time in Pisgah Forest entering from Brevard. Less people, watefalls, places to park and hike.

You can spend all day driving around. Suggest find a few spots, park, and explore streams. Very peaceful places in Smokies and parkway. Have a safe trip.

Don't press your breaks going downhill. Use low gears to slow down.

Chuck

 

[cjstarr]

Cade's Cove is a must see . As pointandshoot stated it can be a slow go around loop Rd. but the s l o w e r you go the better chances you have of seeing a lot of wildlife. Also you want to make time to stop at the churches and the old houses. Another must see would be Ober Gatlinburg and Forbidden Caverns .

All 3 of these are a must see on any trip to that area of the mountains.
Just mke sure that you have plenty of SD cards for your camera!!!

 

[AquamarineSteph]

There's almost nothing prettier than the Great Smoky Mountains National parks.

Having said that, the traffic in the summer can be a nightmare. Decent rooms can book up quickly, especially if there are any festivals or fairs going on at the same time. In addition to regular hotel rooms in Gatlinburg proper, there are also lots of vacation rentals that offer a little more privacy and space.

The drive from Nashville up to Gatlinburg is lovely, but expect potentially heavy traffic going through Pigeon Forge before you reach Gatlinburg.

You can easily use Gatlinburg as your base for exploring the Smokies. The ranger stations can also offer you a lot of advice about good places to see/visit/hike/photograph in the area. Enjoy your holiday!

 

[millys]

WOW - you guys are awesome

Fabulous pictures - I cant wait to go now - and thanks to everyone for the tips on where and when to visit these places.

I have to admit to being a little worried after watching a video on Youtube of someone driving from Pigeon Post to Gatlinburg as it looked a bit touristy and very busy (!) - but thats OK now that I know we can escape to the country during the day.

The Buckhorn Inn looks beautiful - also been looking at Bearskin Lodge and Buckberry Creek too.

I will have to make a decision soon I guess in order to get the room booked.

Once again - thank you all for your help.

Milly

 

[jcb]

WOW - you guys are awesome

Fabulous pictures - I cant wait to go now - and thanks to everyone for the tips on where and when to visit these places.

I have to admit to being a little worried after watching a video on Youtube of someone driving from Pigeon Post to Gatlinburg as it looked a bit touristy and very busy (!) - but thats OK now that I know we can escape to the country during the day.

The Buckhorn Inn looks beautiful - also been looking at Bearskin Lodge and Buckberry Creek too.

I will have to make a decision soon I guess in order to get the room booked.

Once again - thank you all for your help.

Milly

Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg are very touristy. They are very similar and in some ways worse than Orlando's I Drive. I haven't stayed at the Lodge at Buckberry Creek but I hear good things about it from people who have.

 

[Ratigan]

As a confirmed WDW addict, I can say that the only other place on Earth that is as magical to me is Gatlinburg/Pigeon Forge/GSM. The nice folks above have given wonderful tips (and thanks to y'all who posted photographs...they are so beautiful). I am a lifelong Middle Tennessee resident and I currently live outside of Nashville in Hendersonville (please think Johnny Cash and not Taylor Swift haha). My one tip (in all seriousness)? Get OUT of Nashville asap and get to the Smokies. Nashville is very unattractive. Any hour you can save for Gatlinburg (you will hear some folks shorten it to "G-burg") is time well used. I DO urge you to embrace it all...the mountains' majesty, of course, but don't forget to dive into the touristy ambience of G-burg's main street. 1960s-era motels are picturesque (just don't stay there haha). The tourists TEND to be, umm, pear-shaped and food-obsessed, but awfully nice and fun. Second only to Disney in my mind, but that is a pretty nice silver medal to earn. If you run into any trouble in Nashville, text me...my cell is 615-210-8024.

 

[aimeeinohio]

We usually rent a cabin in the Gatlinburg/Pigeon Forge area rather than a hotel....get a hot tub

Cade's Cove is one of my favorite areas. It's just beautiful. Also Grotto falls is a nice hike and the photos are fabulous.

If you go to the visitor center for the national park, there's TONS of info there, a shop, bathrooms, and a couple of really lovely trails to hike round there. It's the one dog friendly place, too.

We usually pack food in the car, have a picnic, and hike away.

The last time we went, my bestie took her big DSLR, and I had just my little point and shoot with a decent zoom...She was worried about her camera the entire trip (worried about knocking it on rocks, etc)....My pocket sized camera was soooo much easier to deal with, and I got some pretty awesome photos.

 

[Gdad]

We like to stay on the quiet side of the mountains- usually rent a house in the Townsend or Wears Valley area and stay as far away as possible from the touristy areas of Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge. As mentioned above Cades Cove is awesome- don't miss the two 'shortcut' two-way roads that bisect the main loop road- last year that's where we saw the most bears. Cataloochee is similar to Cades Cove but with Elk and without all the people- if you don't mind driving a ways off the beaten path it's worth checking out.

I would also recommend some of the great hiking trails in the area- there are a wide range of difficulty levels. You can pick up a map at any of the visitor centers.


Cades Cove Visitors Center by ~Life by the Drop~, on Flickr


Cades Cove by ~Life by the Drop~, on Flickr


Cades Cove by ~Life by the Drop~, on Flickr


Cades Cove Picnic Area by ~Life by the Drop~, on Flickr


Cataloochee Velvia 100 by ~Life by the Drop~, on Flickr


Little Pigeon River Velvia 100 by ~Life by the Drop~, on Flickr

 

[aliyasmomma2003]

We are frequent Gatlinburg visitors too. Let me say, the Bearskin Lodge is not near as nice inside as it appears outside. There are some motels on the main strip of Gatlinburg that have better prices for the same type of rooms with a nifty view to people watch. The Gatlinburg Chamber of Commerce has some good info.
As for a must do, go check out the arts and crafts community on Glades Road. It's really interesting. It's a loop you can drive or the Reilly runs all day long and you can get off and on as you want. Really nice handmade items from pottery to brooms to clothing to concrete statues.

 

[aliyasmomma2003]

Sorry that should be trolley not Reilly

 

[millys]

Thanks Gdad and Aliyasmomma.

We have been researching the trails and hikes and I think we have a good idea now of where to go. The Gatlinburg Chamber of Commerce was very useful for information on this particluar area of the Smokies.

Jeff - your pictures are fantastic - I hope I get an opportunity to emulate some of these . I have to tell you that you were actually one of the main inspirations for me getting back into photography after I saw your Disney pictures on these boards. You have great style and vision.

Cades Cove looks beautiful so we will definitely be heading in this direction. My wife Lena is determined she wants to see bears - so I think it will be a case of plenty of driving and walking during the day and the shopping and tourist bits will be limited to a late night stroll around G-burg (see - I'm picking up the local 'lingo' alrerady!).

Milly

 

[jcb]

A friend sent me this video of a black bear making a nest in a tree. Bears love climbing trees.

It was taken from a cabin on Ski Mountain Rd.

http://youtu.be/LU7BNo1lxLs

 

[nuggies5]

Wow...
Some great pics on here
Ian

 

[Ju Ju Bean]

Sunset at Clingman's Dome

Oconaluftee Visitor Center in the a.m.

Roaring Fork Motor Trail (great for shooting cascades)

Greenbriar (great for waterscapes as well)

 

[mom2rtk]

Sunset at Clingman's Dome

Your shots are gorgeous, but I especially love this one!

 

[millys]

Finally pulled the trigger on a deal at Holiday Inn Vacations Club in Gatlinburg.
Couldnt resist the offer and got a 1 x bed unit with full kitchen and fireplace for the same price as a room in most other locations.
It is situated right on the road to the Roaring Forks Motor Trail and yet a very short walk into town for the restaurants and evening activities.

Thank you to everybody for their great advice, help and pictures - really looking forward to the trip now that its just a few short weeks away.

Milly

 

[jcb]

Finally pulled the trigger on a deal at Holiday Inn Vacations Club in Gatlinburg.
Couldnt resist the offer and got a 1 x bed unit with full kitchen and fireplace for the same price as a room in most other locations.
It is situated right on the road to the Roaring Forks Motor Trail and yet a very short walk into town for the restaurants and evening activities.

Thank you to everybody for their great advice, help and pictures - really looking forward to the trip now that its just a few short weeks away.

Milly

I don't know why I didn't mention this. I've never stayed here but I have been to it several times and spent a day in one of the rooms (for a work meeting). I was pretty impressed. I used to know the manager, and for all I know, he still is the manager. He really wants to make each guest's stay a happy one.

It also has easy parking and is, in fact, easy walking distance to the Main Street (US 441) where you can find all the salt water taffy you could ever want.