Thomas Ridge in Great Smoky Mountains National Park

   Newfound Gap Road (US 441) bisects  Great Smoky Mountains National Park from Gatlinburg, TN to Cherokee North Carolina; the road climbs to its high point at over 5000' elevation at Newfound Gap before dropping down into North Carolina. Newfound Gap Road  follows a prominent ridge known as Thomas Ridge for a few miles passing several overlooks and trailheads. Some of the most spectacular views in the park are along this stretch of road, particularly to the southwest looking over the Deep Creek drainage.  Here are several images from the area:

Smoky mountain sunset from Thomas Ridge  along US 441 in Great Smoky Mountains National Park in North Carolina.   (next)

sunset from Newfound Gap Road overlook on Thomas Ridge in Great Smoky Mountains National Park.    (next)

evening light from Thomas Ridge  (next)

autumn color on Little River in Great Smoky Mountains NP

late afternoon color really comes alive in afternoon light on Little River near Gatlinburg, Tennessee. Another shot is below:

Little River in Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Afternoon sunlight lights up fall color on the Little River in Great Smoky Mountains National Park.  next

Maloney Point sunrise in Great Smoky Mountains National Park

this is the sunrise view from Maloney Point looking  down to Gatlinburg, Tennessee. next

Maloney  Point is an overlook on Little River Road a few miles west of Sugarlands Visitor Center in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. There are a couple of paved pullouts with limited parking areas here; there should be a signpost with a number one on it to help identify this spot; as  you head west on Little River Road from the visitor's center, watch for this area after climbing up a couple of steep hairpin curves. This is a nice spot to catch sunrise and gives a nice view of the valley down to Gatlinburg, Tennessee.

Oconaluftee River in Great Smoky Mountains National Park

this is autumn color along the Oconaluftee River in North Carolina in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. next

The Oconaluftee River tumbles from high in the Smoky Mountains until exiting Great Smoky Mountains National Park and eventually flowing through Cherokee, North Carolina. The Oconaluftee River is noted for  flyfishing, it contains a healthy population of brown and rainbow trout. US 441 (Newfound Gap Road) follows alongside much of the river as it flows toward Cherokee,  I saw this spot from the road and soon joined several photographers at this popular spot; the tree had particularly vibrant foliage that really stood out. Smokemont Campground is located on the banks of this river and is one of the best campgrounds in the park; fairly quiet and beautiful (no showers though), also Kephart Prong trailhead is in this area and starts right from the river. I would encourage a stop a little further down US 441 at the Oconaluftee Visitor Center; in addition, the Oconaluftee River Trail starts at the Visitor Center and takes you along the river into Cherokee.   next

this is a view of the Oconaluftee drainage from just below Newfound Gap.  next

Carlos Campbell Overlook in Great Smoky Mountains National Park

 This overlook is named after Carlos C. Campbell, a noted conservationist who worked tirelessly to help establish Great Smoky Mountains National Park as a National Park back when many local businessmen and politicians were against the formation of a park; the overlook was named in his honor posthumously.  The overlook is located on Newfound Gap Road just a few miles south of Sugarlands Visitor Center, the pulloff is right on the east side of the road. The dramatic view takes in a large section of the valley all the way to Mt. LeConte at just under 6600'elevation.  next

this is the Roaring Fork River in Great Smoky Mountains National Park.  next

Little Pigeon River near Greenbrier, Tennessee in Great Smoky Mountains National Park

One of my favorite areas in the Smoky Mountains is along the Little Pigeon River in Great Smoky Mountains National Park near Greenbrier, Tennessee. The picture above is from where Porter's creek joins the Little Pigeon River; the road forks at this area; the right fork takes you to Porter's Creek trailhead; the left fork crosses the creek and takes you to Ramsay's Cascades trailhead. next

Cove Hardwoods Nature Trail in Great Smoky Mountains National Park

This is autumn color on West Prong Little Pigeon River  at Cove Hardwoods Nature Trail by the picnic area.  next

Grotto Falls in Great Smoky Mountains National Park

this is Grotto Falls in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. next

Grotto Falls in Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Grotto Falls is a great hiking destination in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. From US 441 in Gatlinburg, Tennessee, take traffic light #8 on into the park to Cherokee Orchard Road; after  3.6 miles turn right onto Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail; drive 1.7 miles to the Grotto Falls trailhead. After a short distance, the trail joins Trillium Gap Trail. Grotto Falls is about 1.3 miles oneway; it is a constant, moderate grade all the way to the falls. After the falls, the trail goes all the way to the summit of Mt LeConte. The trail actually goes under the falls; if you are there at the right time, you may get to see a llama train carrying supplies to LeConte Lodge (at the summit) travelling under the falls! I have several images of the falls here:

this is the Noah"Bud" Ogle cabin in Great Smoky Mountains National Park; the nature Trail starts behind the cabin. next

this Is LeConte Creek just below the tub mill on the Noah Bud Ogle Nature Trail in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The roof of the millhouse can just be seen in the upper left of the image.

sunset in Great Smoky Mountains National Park

this sunset view was taken from Newfound Gap Road in Great Smoky Mountains National Park in North Carolina. This view looks out over the Deep Creek drainage.here are some nearby spots: Image 1