Great Smokey Mountains
Sep 8, 2022 09:01:08 #
tommymac
Loc: Green Bay, Wisconsin
My wife and I are heading to Gatlinburg in a few weeks for capture the fall colors. Since this is our first trip to the area, I am asking those who have been there before for recommendations on best photo locations, including waterfalls, mills, homesteads, etc. We are both in our 70’s and in relatively good health so access to certain areas shouldn’t be too problematic.That being said, are there areas to avoid? We’ll be there for four days, so we’ll have time for a lot of opportunities. Thanks.
Sep 8, 2022 09:16:49 #
Sep 8, 2022 09:36:34 #
I've been told that they sell t-shirts there so be sure to get one if you can.😜
Sep 8, 2022 09:55:13 #
CliffMcKenzie
Loc: Lake Athens Texas
Last year shoot - https://flic.kr/s/aHsmXdhEvo
https://smokymountains.com/fall-foliage-map/
Think Smoky & Blue Ridge Mountains
https://smokymountains.com/fall-foliage-map/
Think Smoky & Blue Ridge Mountains
Sep 8, 2022 10:06:10 #
Cade's Cove is one area to visit. Check online listing Tennessee waterfalls -- you will come up with a list that will explain the difficulty in reaching them. Some can almost be seen from the car while others are as much as 3 1/2 mile hike. I have a bad knee and limit my hikes to around 1/2 mile one way. Gatlinburg will be so crowded you may find it hard to drive from one place to another. If you keep to the backroads you may find nice scenic areas that aren't so touristy. Cherokee, NC is just outside the park boundaries but I like that area.
Sep 8, 2022 10:09:18 #
StanMac
Loc: Tennessee
There is an interactive map at this site that will give you GPS coordinates of the waterfalls for your navigation device. https://www.nps.gov/grsm/planyourvisit/waterfalls.htm
Here is a downloadable and printable trail map for the GSMNP: https://www.nps.gov/grsm/planyourvisit/upload/GSMNP-Map_JULY19-4.pdf
Hope this is helpful.
I don’t mean to discourage your visit but be aware that Gatlinburg is not the quaint little mountain town it was that made it so charming in my younger years. Traffic in the peak season can be tedious to navigate and parking a challenge. Go during the weekdays if possible.
Stan
Here is a downloadable and printable trail map for the GSMNP: https://www.nps.gov/grsm/planyourvisit/upload/GSMNP-Map_JULY19-4.pdf
Hope this is helpful.
I don’t mean to discourage your visit but be aware that Gatlinburg is not the quaint little mountain town it was that made it so charming in my younger years. Traffic in the peak season can be tedious to navigate and parking a challenge. Go during the weekdays if possible.
Stan
Sep 8, 2022 10:53:27 #
tommymac
Loc: Green Bay, Wisconsin
StanMac wrote:
There is an interactive map at this site that will... (show quote)
Sep 8, 2022 10:54:00 #
Sep 8, 2022 10:55:26 #
tommymac
Loc: Green Bay, Wisconsin
Thanks. More than a few people have mentioned the Gatlinburg congestion.
Sep 8, 2022 14:05:50 #
tommymac wrote:
Thanks
If you click "quote reply" under the post you are answering as I did here, we can tell who that is.
Sep 8, 2022 20:25:42 #
tommymac
Loc: Green Bay, Wisconsin
PHRubin wrote:
If you click "quote reply" under the post you are answering as I did here, we can tell who that is.
Thanks
Sep 8, 2022 20:26:48 #
Sep 8, 2022 20:28:27 #
tommymac
Loc: Green Bay, Wisconsin
CliffMcKenzie wrote:
Last year shoot - https://flic.kr/s/aHsmXdhEvo
https://smokymountains.com/fall-foliage-map/
Think Smoky & Blue Ridge Mountains
https://smokymountains.com/fall-foliage-map/
Think Smoky & Blue Ridge Mountains
Thanks. Love the photos
Sep 8, 2022 21:41:38 #
Off on a bit of a tangent here I suppose but watch out for the critters. My nephew was bitten by a juvenile copperhead last fall while on a short hike in a densely wooded area.
Sep 9, 2022 05:31:08 #
You might be a little early for fall colors although some will start. Like others have mentioned Gatlinburg is not the quaint little mountain town anymore
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