Newfound Gap

Newfound Gap is a mountain pass in the Great Smoky Mountains. Newfound Gap is near the North Carolina and Tennesse border accessible from US 441 (also known as Newfound Gap Road). This is one of my favorite destinations in the Smokies. Not only is the scenic drive magnificent, but you also can visit the Rockefeller Memorial – the site where former U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt formally dedicated the park on September 2, 1940.

Newfound Gap is one of the most popular destination in the Smokies. There is a large parking lot and plenty of hiking trails in the area, including the Appalachian Trail. It is generally pretty crowded if you go during the summer/fall seasons. Kids love to climb on the rocks by the Memorial and parents love to walk to the top of the Memorial. From here you can see for miles. One of the best views in the entire park.

Home of the Black Bear

The Great Smoky Mountains have the largest black bear population east of the Mississippi River. Bears are truly amazing amazing. They are beautiful, yet extremely powerful. Seeing a black bear in the wild can frighten some people to death, while others it makes your vacation all worthwhile. As long as you know how to handle yourself in the wild, seeing a black bear shouldn’t be terrifying.

Have you ever been walking a trail or picnicking at a campsite in the Smokies and seen one of those funny looking garbage cans? Those are supposed to be bear proof! Surprisingly enough, anywhere you find food is still one of the most popular places to find a black bear in the GRSM. But seeing a black bear walking down the street doesn’t have the same appeal as seeing one in the wild.

The best places to see black bears in the Great Smoky Mountains:
- Cades Cove
- Cataloochee
- Anywhere in the back country
- In low lying creek beds

What if I see a black bear?
For some, just seeing a black bear can make your entire trip.
Try to stay at great distance away from the black bear.
You’d think this is common sense, but you’d be surprised at the number of bear attacks are a result of humans trying to feed them. Bears are not pets!

Don’t want to see a black bear?
Well, if you’re hiking on a trail try making a lot of noise. Black bears can hear you miles away and will go the other way. Some people say to carry a jingle bell with you. If you’re camping in the back country, be sure to pack all your food away in sealed containers.

Clingmans Dome

Clingmans Dome in the Great Smoky Mountains is one of the most popular tourist spots in the entire park. What attracts so many visitors to Clingmans Dome is the fact that at an elevation of 6,643 feet, it is the highest mountain in the Great Smokies. The views from the mountain top are spectacular – provided it isn’t too smoky

Clingmans Dome is very accessible. Clingmans Dome Road begins just past Newfound Gap and leads up the mountain to the Forney Ridge Parking Area. Check our Great Smoky Mountains Map for further details.
Please plan your visit carefully. Clingmans Dome is often closed in the winter from December 1 through March 31 due to potential icy roads.

From the parking lot, it is just a short 1/2 mile hike up the trail to the observation tower at the top of the mountain. The observation tower gives visitors a 360 degree view of the entire Smoky Mountain park. It is truly amazing, especially if you’re lucky enough to visit on a clear day.

One thing hiking enthusiasts will enjoy is the Appalachian Trail crosses Clingmans Dome, passing immediately north of the observation tower. If you hang around long enough you will see several thru-hikers pass by as they travel through the backcountry.

If you’re planning a trip to the Great Smokies, you must make Clingmans Dome part of your visit.

The Leaves Are Changing

Have you noticed the nights are getting longer? Do you find yourself grabbing a light jacket in the mornings when you take your dog out? Fall is in the air, can you feel it? The high temperatures in the Great Smoky Mountain region are in the low 70s and the low temperatures are dipping into the 40s in the high elevation parts. I just love this time of year. It’s not too hot, and it’s not too cold.

The landscapes and mountain tops are no longer covered in lush green, but now in shades of red, yellow, orange and brown. It’s one of the most beautiful times of the year for residents and travelers.

Thousands of visitors flock to this region every year just to see the leaves change colors. Most journeys start in Asheville, NC on the Blue Ridge Parkway and head all the way northwest to Pigeon Forge, TN. There are hundreds of stops along the way that are perfect for sightseeing, photography, painting and hiking. Nothing beats standing at a point near 4,000 ft of elevation and looking out over miles and miles of painted canvas.

Have you visited the Great Smoky Mountains during Autumn just to see the leaves change colors? What are some of your favorite spots to sight see?