• Approximately 1,500 black bears live in the national park.

    Great Smoky Mountains

    National Park NC,TN

October 18 Photos

Colors are continuing to develop at mid and low elevations in the park this week. At high elevations, most areas are now past peak.

 
The view from Bote Mountain Trail on Oct 18.
The view from Bote Mountain Trail on October 18.
Tom Harrington
 
 
Leaves cover the ground on high elevation trails this week
Leaves are off the trees in most high elevations areas. Here they create a colorful carpet on the Brushy Mountain Trail. October 18 photo.
NPS
 
 
Autumn Foliage
Brilliant color on a maple tree at mid-elevation this week.
Tom Harrington

Did You Know?

An experimental program to reintroduce elk to the park was begun in 2001.

An experimental program to reintroduce elk to the park was begun in 2001. Elk once roamed the Smokies, but were eliminated from the region in the mid 1800s by over-hunting and loss of habitat. Other animals successfully reintroduced to the park include river otters and barn owls.