Guide to the Smokies Magazine

Spectacular Rhododendron in June & July -
Thousands of visitors are attracted to the Park to see the masses of purple rhododendron which carpet the mountain slopes from an elevation of about 3,500 feet to the mountain summits. About the middle of June, the white, orange and flame azaleas give their most brilliant display, covering acres of the Smoky Mountains… followed by the white rhododendron which blooms in July.

Brilliant Fall Colors -
The following list will guide you to some of the best viewing points for autumn colors, usually at their peak in mid-October.

Tennessee -
Newfound Gap Road: good views from Morton Overlook and Chimney Tops Overlook. Gatlinburg By-Pass: especially the views toward Mt. LeConte. Little River Road: excellent views of Cove Mountain, Maloney Point overlooks the valley of Fighting Creek with Mt. LeConte in the distance. The Cades Cove Loop Road Foothills Parkway: from Walland to Chilhowee. Highway 32: from Cosby to Big Creek. Foothills Parkway: from Cosby to I-40.

North Carolina -
Clingmans Dome Road: distant views of the lower elevations. Newfound Gap Road: best viewed from the overlook along Thomas Ridge, within the first few miles below Newfound Gap. Round Bottom Road: beginning at the Balsam Mountain Picnic Area.

TOUR HISTORIC MOUNTAIN CHURCHES -
In the Smokies, no building better represented the heart of a community than the church. The National Park Service currently preserves six historic churches. All are open to the public.

Cades Cove Loop Road:
• Primitive Baptist (1887)
• Missionary Baptist (1894)
• Methodist (1902)

Smokemont Campground Area:
• Oconaluftee Baptist (1912)

Cataloochee:
• Palmer Chapel (1898)

Little Cataloochee:
• Baptist (1899)

No admission charged.

Clearest Scenic Views In Winter -
Millions of visitors come to The Great Smoky Mountains National Park each year to enjoy the views… but here’s a little secret… the best views are in the winter!!! In the summer, there is a haze in the air due to the humidity. But in the inter,… wow… the air is crystal clear and the views are nothing short of spectacular.

Take a Beautiful Drive Into the Fascinating Past of the Cades Cove Community -
A wide array of historic buildings are scattered throughout the cove. These include a grist mill, a variety of barns, three churches, and a marvelous collection of log and frame homes. An 11-mile one-way loop road takes you around the cove. The road is open from sunrise to sunset. Horse and bicycle rental available. Numerous hiking trails originate in the cove, including the five-miles roundtrip trail to Abrams Falls and the Cades Cove Nature Trail. Allow five to eight hours to fully enjoy all the history and beauty of this truly unique mountain heritage community.



	Spectacular Rhododendron in June & July - Thousands of visitors are attracted to the Park to see the masses of purple rhododendron which carpet the mountain slopes from an elevation of about 3,500 feet to the mountain summits. About the middle of June, the white, orange and flame azaleas give their most brilliant display, covering acres of the Smoky Mountains… followed by the white rhododendron which blooms in July. Brilliant Fall Colors - The following list will guide you to some of the best viewing points for autumn colors, usually at their peak in mid-October. Tennessee - Newfound Gap Road: good views from Morton Overlook and Chimney Tops Overlook. Gatlinburg By-Pass: especially the views toward Mt. LeConte. Little River Road: excellent views of Cove Mountain, Maloney Point overlooks the valley of Fighting Creek with Mt. LeConte in the distance. The Cades Cove Loop Road Foothills Parkway: from Walland to Chilhowee. Highway 32: from Cosby to Big Creek. Foothills Parkway: from Cosby to I-40. North Carolina - Clingmans Dome Road: distant views of the lower elevations. Newfound Gap Road: best viewed from the overlook along Thomas Ridge, within the first few miles below Newfound Gap. Round Bottom Road: beginning at the Balsam Mountain Picnic Area. TOUR HISTORIC MOUNTAIN CHURCHES - In the Smokies, no building better represented the heart of a community than the church. The National Park Service currently preserves six historic churches. All are open to the public. Cades Cove Loop Road: • Primitive Baptist (1887) • Missionary Baptist (1894) • Methodist (1902) Smokemont Campground Area: • Oconaluftee Baptist (1912) Cataloochee: • Palmer Chapel (1898) Little Cataloochee: • Baptist (1899) No admission charged. Clearest Scenic Views In Winter - Millions of visitors come to The Great Smoky Mountains National Park each year to enjoy the views… but here’s a little secret… the best views are in the winter!!! In the summer, there is a haze in the air due to the humidity. But in the inter,… wow… the air is crystal clear and the views are nothing short of spectacular. Take a Beautiful Drive Into the Fascinating Past of the Cades Cove Community - A wide array of historic buildings are scattered throughout the cove. These include a grist mill, a variety of barns, three churches, and a marvelous collection of log and frame homes. An 11-mile one-way loop road takes you around the cove. The road is open from sunrise to sunset. Horse and bicycle rental available. Numerous hiking trails originate in the cove, including the five-miles roundtrip trail to Abrams Falls and the Cades Cove Nature Trail. Allow five to eight hours to fully enjoy all the history and beauty of this truly unique mountain heritage community.