Over the last few years, I’ve tried to visit as many national parks as possible to write about, highlight and photograph all the neat features of each park. I love going to all the national parks because each one is so unique. Luckily, living out west, there are many parks to explore. But one of my favorite trips was when my husband and I went to the Great Smoky Mountains last fall in 2012. We went in late October and although it was towards the end of the fall leaf season, bright orange, yellow and red leaves were still falling all around us. It was so beautiful, peaceful and quaint - a reminder that the simplest moments are some of the best in life. The picture was taken at the entrance to the Deep Creek Campground through Bryson City, NC on a quieter side of the park. As the leaves shuffled across the road, it felt like we were the only ones standing there in the entire park. It will always be a perfect memory to cherish and hold on to.
Sincerely,
Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Great Smoky Mountains National Park is one of the country's most popular national park sites. It offers postcard-perfect views and plentiful wildlife.
State(s): North Carolina Tennessee,
Established: 1926
“I love exploring the parks and photographing all the amazing landscapes from the pure blue water of Crater Lake to the strange hoodoos of Bryce Canyon. I feel very fortunate to be able to enjoy all the beautiful parks. I just hope that these natural wonders will be around for generations to come so that other people can love and enjoy them as much as I do.”
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Greetings from Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Mid-October, 2023—colors between Cherokee and Gatlinburg
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Greetings from Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Even before my family and I reached the Smokies, I was in awe of the scenery around me. Tennessee’s vibrant forests framed the road on either side, and we drove along a glimmering creek that threaded through the trees. Later, after hiking up to Clingmans Dome, we watched the fog…
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