The Beautiful Smoky Mountains And 11 Reasons to Visit Them

Fall Foliage

Most people associate fall colors with New England. However, more and more people are noticing that the Great Smoky Mountains offer just as brilliant a show and a more extended day to view them, being in the south. The park is home to over 100 varieties of native trees, making the array of colors on display nearly endless. Each bend in the road brings you to a new and spectacular view, whether it be open rolling fields, mountainscapes, or beautiful color-speckled streams.

The Cades Cove Loop road gates open at sunrise and close at sunset each day except Saturdays and Wednesdays during summer, May through September. Also, the road is only open to foot and bicycle traffic until 10am. But you should get there right before sunrise and wait until the gates open. Most mornings, there is mist rising in the valleys and flowing through the mountains. The low rising sun creates surreal light on the fog and sparkles on the grass, making for a picturesque view.