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

    Great Smoky Mountains

    National Park NC,TN

October 10, 2012 Photos

A Great Blue Heron standing in a stream with fall color on the trees in the background.

A Great Blue Heron stands completely still while hunting in Laurel Creek.

Warren Bielenberg Photo

Fall color continues to develop in the park. Although some high elevation areas are now past peak, other areas along the crest of the mountains are quite beautiful. Leaves at middle elevations are beginning to turn and there are a few pockets of color at lower elevations, though most leaves in the foolthills are still green. Scroll down the page for photos of the park this week.

 
The brightr crimson foliage of sourwood trees frames a view of Defeat Ridge.
The past few days have been foggy and rainy, but the bright red leaves of sourwood trees stand out even in dull, misty conditions.
Mike Harrington Photo
 
The late afternoon sun is low on the horizon in a blue sky accenting colorful fall trees in the foreground and ridge after ridge of mountains stretching off into the distance.
The view from Clingmans Dome Parking lot just before rainy weather moved into the area this past weekend.
Bob Turney Photo
 
Elk graze in the field near Oconaluftee Visitor Center
Patches of color are showing near the Oconaluftee Visitor Center. Elk can sometimes be seen in the fields adjacent to the visitor center.
Photo courtesy of Rob Wilson, Artist-In-Residence
 
Bright red trees line a trail in the park
Trails at mid elevations are beginning to become colorful now.
Priscilla Watts Photo

Did You Know?

President Roosevelt at the park's Rockefeller Memorial.

Money to buy the land that became Great Smoky Mountains National Park was raised by individuals, private groups, and even school children who pledged their pennies. In addition, the Laura Spellman Rockefeller Memorial Fund donated $5 million to create the park.