What-To-Do Issue 1 2024-2025 - Magazine - Page 26

Enjoying Nature’s Beauty
Landscapes of the Smokies
Mother Nature is an artist! From the floral
blooms that decorate the valleys to the rolling hills and
waterfalls surrounding Cades Cove where
settlers lived off the land, the sights in the Great Smoky
Mountains are gorgeous. While you are here, make sure
to see some of these beautiful natural settings.
Waterfalls
With over 100 cascading waterfalls in the Great Smoky
Mountains, it’s no surprise that visitors jump at the
chance to see some. They are often considered to be the
most beautiful natural features in the park. And even
though people will hike miles to get to impressive waterfalls, there are a few that are located close to a passing
road for easier access. Rainbow Falls near Roaring Fork is
famous for the spectrum of colors that is seen in its mist.
Nearby is Grotto Falls, where visitors can walk behind
the waterfall. Abrams Falls in Cades Cove showcases
the force of gravity in its powerful waters. Serious hikers
may enjoy taking an 8-mile round-trip hike to the largest
falls in the Smokies, the 100-foot-tall Ramsey Cascades.
If you’re traveling by car, look out for Meigs Falls west of
Sugarlands Visitor Center, and the Place of a Thousand
Drips at stop #15 on the Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail.
It is worth the journey to see these gorgeous spectacles.
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Caves
Visit the Forbidden Caverns to see a part of the natural
world that is usually hidden from us by exploring a cave.
The guides will take you on a tour through underground
passages and by beautiful rock formations throughout
most of the year. In the summer, it is especially refreshing to go below the surface of the earth, into the cool,
misty caverns and escape the heat of the sun. This destination near Sevierville is sure to astound visitors and is a
must-see attraction while in the Smoky Mountains.
Wildflower Landscapes
Flowers are in bloom throughout much of the year in
the Smoky Mountains. The lush petals that are found
on shrubs, stems and trees combine to create a vibrant
landscape that is rich in color. In late winter, just before
the warmer spring temperatures, ephemeral flowers
such as bleeding hearts, columbines, crested dwarf
irises, painted trillium and others appear before giving
way to summer’s flowers. The blooming season continues into the fall and early winter with the unique
yellow petals of the witch hazel plant—a useful plant
that has a variety of medicinal and beauty applications!
(continued on page 42)

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