I am heading down to the area next week. I'll be staying in Gatlinburg and have three full days, maybe a half-day, to check out the area. I'm a fair weather hiker, but can deal with light rain. The main goal of this trip is to hike Gregory Bald the first full day day, which now has very little to no rain chance. Day two has a decent chance of rain, maybe all day. Day three is lower, early rain.

For day two, I'd like to checkout the Knoxville city area. This would be a regional road trip, sightseeing day, with some walking/light hiking throughout the day. I'm open to checking out some outdoor, scenic local parks. I don't mind driving a few hours if I can check out a new area. I know Frozen Head State Park and House Mtn. State Natural Areas are close to Knoxville. Also Seven Islands State Birding Park might be worth a stop. I've driven up to the top of Sharp's Ridge on a prior trip. That park has great views and I'd like to find something similar. Also like waterfront areas, so anything along the river or any nearby lakes would be of interest.

For the last full day, I want to focus back on the park and hiking. I'm thinking Andrew's Bald as I've never done that hike. I might actually park a few miles away and use the Appalachian Trail to hike to Kuwohi Dome area, then continue onto Andrew's Bald from there. I believe Kuwohi Road is open till 11/30. I've also never done Rainbow Falls, so that is another option.

Any suggestions or opinions?

I love animals and would really love to see a bear! What would be the best time to visit cades cove to maximize my chances of seeing a bear? We will either do Saturday or Sunday. Thanks in advance!

Me and my dad decided to go on a roadtrip this fall and the smoky mountain National park was on my list for a long time. So we decided to drive down to the park this weekend. Any hike recommendations that are friendly for older adults ( my Oldman can walk but not long distances). I'd like to add that we are driving from Ohio (Cincinnati) if that makes any difference. If I don't manage to get a camping spot, are there any hotels/motels nearby? TIA!

Heading up to Smokemont campground in GSMNP this weekend from Charleston. Where are the best places/trails in the park to see some fall color and waterfalls? Most likely will stay on the NC side of the park, but we’re open to heading towards Gatlinburg as well.

I've never been to GSMNP but have spent time in the mountains in the North East. In photos online, they look pretty similar. For anyone who's familiar with both environments care to weigh in?

I'm thinking about this from the perspective of hiking, camping, views, terrain, wildlife/nature composition.

Thanks.

Hello everyone! I am an experienced hiker from the Northeast who is planning to drive down to GSM in two weeks for a little backpacking trip to Sterling Mountain. The one thing I am having an issue figuring out is how I will be able to get to the parking area(Big Creek Ranger Station Parking). I was able to find a way around the I40 closures but the very end of Route 32 and the Big Creek entrance road are closed. Is the solution to park at the Northern End GSM Appalachian trailhead parking area and add a 1.5-mile road walk to our trip? Thank you for any advice you can give!

https://preview.redd.it/magvjbmkuixd1.png?width=392&format=png&auto=webp&s=12de11aeae083ef5d3de3c3e89ee44f0ec87213d

I had a gallbladder removal surgery 3 weeks ago and I can walk without issue but I will likely get winded on moderate to hard hikes and feel tired more easily. We will be visiting GSMNP next weekend (11/1) and would like to do some hikes at lower elevation (given it’s past peak at higher) and more on the easy side. For example, Laurel Falls trail is easy in general (for me) and there was still color when I visited last year past peak. Any suggestions? We are staying around Sevierville. Thank you in advance!

Hey! I’m planning a trip to the park this weekend (11/01-11/03). Can anyone tell me what the leaves are looking like now and if they’ll still be nice during my trip? I’ve heard some areas are already at peak.

Looking forward to our first visit to GSMNP! Arriving tomorrow for 4 nights, primary interests are hiking and photography. We are reasonably fit and have some moderately challenging hikes picked out, one of which is hopefully Alum Cave - just there and back, no further. However we are looking to confirm that the trail up to that point doesn't require getting very close to any drop offs? We'd prefer a berth of at least 6-8 feet from the edge. :) I believe it's past Alum Cave that the trail skirts the edge and has cables, but looking to confirm.

Right now, I have landed on

Appalachian Trail: Newfound Gap to Sweat Heifer Creek Trail and Mount Buckley via Kuwohi Bypass Trail

Drives — as I driving from DC, I’d first like to cover Blue Ridge Parkway. Once I’m at GSMNP, I’m thinking of driving through Hwy 141 Newfound Gap Rd.

What else? I am mainly looking for drives that have a lot of fall foliage through the forest

(moderates can you please approve)

The colors of the park are looking amazing right now! Was able to get alot of photos right before the leaves fall

I'm assuming since this is using the old name that this is a piece of gorilla graffiti? It was on one of the benches half way up to the observation tower but when our friends went up the next day they couldn't find it.

Currently in GSMNP and having a great time. Our plan was to go to Cade’s Cove tomorrow but it says the drive will take 90 minutes. Anyone know why? I always thought it was 45 minutes.

I thought maybe it was the time of day we looked but when I set a 6am departure time for tomorrow it still says 1:30.

Did something change that is making the drive longer or were we wrong in thinking it was 45 minutes?

So far we’ve hiked Alum Cave, rainbow falls, and laurel falls. Considering doing another trail in Gatlinberg tomorrow rather than make the drive. Afraid we’ll miss out, but we’ll just have to come back.

What do you think?

From the National Park:

"With many major driving routes near Great Smoky Mountains National Park (GSMNP) impacted by Hurricane Helene, the national park is still seeing an influx in commercial vehicles trying to navigate its steep, curvy roads. Commercial vehicles are prohibited on US 441/Newfound Gap Road and in all of GSMNP for everyone’s safety.

"Since the storm, the park has turned around over 1,000 commercial vehicles trying to enter the park and responded to multiple incidents involving large commercial trucks. Violators will be subject to a citation as well as a fine of up to $5,000. Highway 441/Newfound Gap Road is a two-lane road with steep, continuous grades and tight curves. There are no truck lanes, runaway truck ramps or places for a large commercial vehicle to slow down and pull over.

"For detours, please check DriveNC.gov and SmartWay.TN.gov."

Also, is there another camp ground that would be better this weekend?

Went there last week & I'm kind of shocked I didn't read anything negative about it beforehand, outside of the warnings that traffic can get backed up. Figured I'd share for anyone else researching a visit.

• The scenic views are few & not anything you can't get elsewhere in the park.

-The drive was a crawl, which would be fine if there were things to look at, but there weren't.

• The only wildlife we saw were deer. That didn't stop the 5 cars in front of us stopping to take pictures though.

• The historical buildings are all over the park. The ones in Cades Cove weren't anything special to look at & just felt like repeats.

• While the drive to Cades Cove was nice, the lack of payoff in getting there was a disappointment. It was a little long though.

The only real positive was the Abrams Falls hike, which ended up being one of the more enjoyable ones we did in the park.

If you want the Cades Cove experience, but better & at a fraction of the time commitment, I'd just recommend doing the Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail.

I read that the water supply to the refill station at the lodge is out of commission. Could anyone confirm or deny this?

Trying to decide which weekend to camp cades cove with family.

Hi all - I’m considering a last minute trip, I would be coming down from PA. I’ve done some reading on here but could use some insight. The dates I would be there would be 10/30-11/6 (but really the 31st-5th, as the others would be travel days). It appears there would still be foliage during this time but can you confirm + what areas would be best during that time? It looks like it’d be lower elevation areas? Where would you recommend to stay that is not overly touristy? TIA!

From the backcountry office:

The following trails are closed to all users:
- Balsam Mountain
- Big Creek
- Big Fork Ridge
- Boogerman
- Caldwell Fork
- Cataloochee Divide
- Gunter Fork
- Hemphill Bald
- Little Cataloochee
- Long Bunk
- McKee Bridge
- Mt. Sterling
- Palmer Creek
- Pretty Hollow Gap
- Rough Fork
- Swallow Fork

The following trails are closed to horseback traffic:
- Camel Cap
- Lower Mount Cammerer

The following backcountry campsites are closed:
- 39
- 40
- 41
- 42
- 44
- 47
- 48

I'll be in the Smokies for 3 full days and a 1/2 day. I was looking up scenic drives and saw the Cherohala Skyway. It looks amazing. Thinking I'd add Foothills Parkway West as part of the drive, knowing it would eat up the entire day. Is it worth it?

Looking at either cades cove or elkmont this weekend. What's the temp getting down to there at night?

Looking to visit either GSMNP or highlands NC area this weekend. Which will have better color?

Wanted to see if anyone had any recommendations for some hikes to do in GSMNP (anywhere in the park is fine, TN/NC) for this Saturday, 10/26. I am coming down and bringing friends who are moderately active but not super experienced hikers so looking for a moderate hike.

Fall foliage is a must and preferably with a good view at the top.. was thinking Charlie's Bunion, Peregrine Peak via Alum Cave Bluffs, Andrew's Bald... open to any and all suggestions!!

Also open to any other suggestions for places to eat in the Gatlinburg / Pigeon Forge area!

TLDR:

• Seeking moderately challenging hike suggestions
• Fall foliage, good mountain views
• Seeking restaurant recommendations as well

My partner and I are visiting the smokies for our first time next week! I've sketched out a rough itinerary but would appreciate anyone's feedback. This is what I'm thinking so far:

Wed 10/23

• Land in Knoxville in the afternoon
• Drive to Gatlinburg, get groceries for the hikes, get dinner
• Not sure if we can do anything else this day

Thurs 10/24

• See sunrise at kuwohi trail
• Hike Andrew's bald
• Drive along Newfound Gap Road
• Drive along Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail (how long does it take? not sure if we should try a small hike off of it?)
• Dinner / nightlife in Gatlinburg, if anyone has suggestions I'd love to hear them!

Fri 10/25

• Blocking out the whole day for the Alum Cave / Mt Leconte hike.
• Not sure if there's anything else easy we can tack on.

Sat 10/26

• We're leaving in the morning and driving to Nashville, if anyone has any recommendations for that.

I was debating whether we should swap Thursday and Friday's plans. My partner and I are not unfit, but an 11mi hike is a lot for us and I was thinking we might be too pooped to enjoy the park if we did it the first day... but I imagine parking is easier on a Thursday rather than a Friday. Also noting that we're skipping out on Cades Cove -- I've heard mixed things but still thinking about if we should try to see it.

Hi all, my husband and I are coming from Durham, NC to GSMNP the weekend of Nov 1st to celebrate our anniversary. I've heard some elevations are at peak, some are beginning to change, but I'm unfamiliar with the different towns as we usually stay in Maggie Valley. Where would be ideal for us to stay that weekend to have some color and are there any hikes ya'll would recommend for color that weekend as well? Thanks in advance!

I’m trying to take a group out to the Smoky Mountains and do a three day two night hike we’ve done the Mt Cammerer loop and I’m looking for something else maybe something off of newfound gap or really anywhere in the Smoky Mountains

Hello everyone, my friends and I are planning to visit the Smoky Mountains in the first week for my friend’s birthday, but I am not sure if that time is the right time to visit the NP and if the major locations’ roads get closed during that time or we should be good? You’re suggestions would be appreciated, ty