Smokey Mountains

[Lone-eagle]

:lol:Planning a trip next year. When would be the best time to go? Places that I should see. Does anyone have recommendations on places to stay. Just give me any information you can. Thanks.

[PicSniper]

For me, anytime in the Great Smokey Mountains National Park is the best time. If you're going to vacation there, your best bet is to stay in Gatlinburg or Pigeon Forge. It's a very short drive into the park from either town. Gatlinburg is more of a walking town, whereas Pigeon Forge is more driving. Try to visit both towns, if possible. There's a million different things to do and see, so try to plan your stops out in advance. As for the actual trip into the Smokey Mountains, the same type of advanced planning would apply. Check out the National Park Service's website (www.nps.gov) for places to visit within the park. Off the top of my head, I suggest you visit Cades Cove, Mingus Mill, Clingman's Dome (when open), Newfound Gap and any of the waterfalls and scenic mountain overlooks that you can get to. Google is your friend! ;-)

[CanonHowitzer]

It should be less crowded if you don't go in the summer vacation months.

Have fun.
:)

[WitchDoctor]

If you are into a little hiking, visit the Happy Hiker in Gatlinburg and get some Appalachian Trail maps. I would highly recommend the Alum Cave trail and the Le Conte summit, which has some very isolated cabins to peek in, and an amazing view to photograph. Bring the widest lens you can!

In town, you might like to go check out the Dixie Stampede. It's the South's version of Medieval Times.

[Joe Ravenstein]

if you choose to go in the winter when snow is covering everything, make very sure you have enough food and staples to carry you through just in case you get snowed in. That happened to some friends and until the road crews clear the back and main roads you might be stuck in the cabin/lodge with limited utilities and supplies. Specify you want a wood burning fireplace or stove. IF the power goes out it might get a wee bit chilly. taking some of the manufactured fire logs might be a good plan.

[Woolburr]

You will find more information if you search under the correct name....Smoky Mountains or Great Smoky Mountains....Smokey is a bear. Gatlinburg, Sevierville and Pigeon Forge are just tourist traps located on the fringe of the park. One of the better areas of the park for seeing wildlife is located near Waynesville, NC....Cataloochee offers scenic vistas, an old settlement, elk, bear, turkey, deer and large numbers of butterflies during warm weather. Clingman's Dome is not far off US 441, the summit is a moderate climb up a very well maintained, paved trail. The Dome is the highest point in Tennessee. Cades Cove is the biggest draw on the Tennessee side of the park. The loop through the cove is loaded with photo ops.....it is particularly stunning during the fall leaf season. That said....every tourist and his brother knows that and tries to visit....it can get rather congested at times.

[Another Canon Guy]

Well off the pace with my post, but in case you're still gathering info.

I Just moved from NC and loved visitng the Smoky Mountains. I would recommend staying in Gatlinburg as it has a much less commercialized feel than Pigeon Forge(though both are very commercial). I also appreciated Gatlinburg being right at the doorstep of the park for those early morning sunrises. As far as when to visit I personal would recommend the Autumn as the foliage(which had an off year according to locals) is amazing. Just be ready for crowds. If you want to the summer then try to avoide August as it also loads up with visitors. If you do go in the fall sunrise pics will put you in the park before the crowds roll in, a big plus as I drove out amid a bumper to bumper line trying to get into the park. Also midweek is much less crowded than weekends in my experience. Laurel Falls is a must, I will post a picture after this. Clingman's Dome is a must for sunset if for no other reason to sit and watch the mass of white lenses waiting for the grand moment, though the view is quite spectacular on its own.

[Another Canon Guy]

http://jesscheneyphotography.files.wordpress.com/2010/03/img_4451b.jpg

[brian00321]

It should be less crowded if you don't go in the summer vacation months.

Have fun.
:)

I second that. If you can, try to make the visit during early fall when the leaves begin to change colors. Plus the weather will be nice and cool, but not cold enough to where you even need a sweater or even a long sleeve t-shirt.

[dan_bgblue]

When I go, I stay on the NC side of the mountains. Maggie Valley is my favorite spot, and Waynesville is great as well but a bit larger of a town. I avoid Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge like the plague. The are the epitome of tourist traps imo.

Someone mentioned Chatahoochee and it is a beautiful area and offers a lot of photo ops. It is on the NC side and not very far from Maggie Valley. The Valley is 19 miles from Cherokee NC which is a tourist trap kind of town, but they do offer an 1800s live recreation of a Cherokee Indian village as well as the Cherokee History museum. They also offer Harrah's casino if you like to wager a bit.

jmho

[Lone-eagle]

Thanks to all

Dale

[scholarandgentleman]

I live in East Tennessee and although I just now bought a camera and went on my first (official) hike I know that Cade's Cove is a tourist trap and unless you just want to check it off some Bucket List you have then it isn't worth the time. My brother has hiked/photographed for 3 years in the Smokies and has refused to go. I've been and it is extremely crowded. Also, when thinking of crowds, fall is very crowded in the park (it is, in fact, the most visited national park). I loved Charlie's Bunion as my first trail. The summit is breathtaking.

[Another Canon Guy]

I live in East Tennessee and although I just now bought a camera and went on my first (official) hike I know that Cade's Cove is a tourist trap and unless you just want to check it off some Bucket List you have then it isn't worth the time. My brother has hiked/photographed for 3 years in the Smokies and has refused to go. I've been and it is extremely crowded. Also, when thinking of crowds, fall is very crowded in the park (it is, in fact, the most visited national park). I loved Charlie's Bunion as my first trail. The summit is breathtaking.

I'm not as familiar as scholarandgentleman but I can say of the four trips I've had never been through cades cove. Twice I arrived well before the sun only to be burried back in the line of cars waiting to go in(and promptly turned around to see go see other parts of the park). One trip cades cove was closed for repaving. The other trip I didn't bother trying to see cades cove. I don't feel like I have missed anything and from what i hear you can spend extended periods of time crawling along behind a long motorcade of vehicles. I prefer to spend my time moving more quickly and stopping where I want rather than where the traffic dictates. But that's just me.