Watauga Lake in Carter County, Tennessee, is the highest elevation lake on the TVA system and so it is no stranger to winter weather. From the photographer: “This is a beautiful place during all four seasons. This photo was taken on Christmas Day after a snowfall. Courtesy: Ryan Rice.
It’s cold! And when it’s cold, pretty white and silver things happen. Our contributing photographers have the proof.
Recent snow fall and bitterly cold conditions at Roan Highlands, North Carolina, created a delightful winter wonderland scene, covering all plant life on the mountain with beautiful hoar frost, making this scene truly photogenic. From the photographer: “Roan Highlands has always instilled a sense of magic in me every time I visit. It is truly a special place.” Courtesy: Dawnfire PhotographyThis image is on Shawnee Mountain in Watauga County, North Carolina, just outside of Banner Elk. From the photographer: “This is titled Fire & Ice. I love this spot because the views are just incredible as it looks down on the little community of Cool Springs. The sunrises and sunsets are indescribable.” Source: Sallie J. WoodringThis image was captured along the Jones River Trail in Shenandoah National Park, Virginia, where a log crosses the river and icicles have grown as water from the cascade splashes onto the log. Courtesy: Pat and Chuck BlackleyA frosty view of the West Prong of the Little Pigeon River, located along the Chimney Tops Trail in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park near Gatlinburg, Tennessee. From the photographer: “Temperatures that day hovered in the low 20s as mist and fog rolled in and out, creating the icy, mystical scene. I’ve shot many images along this classic river over the years, yet it always reveals something new and unique each time out. This February day was no exception.” Courtesy: Robert StephensIt’s Christmas Eve 2020 and that cold white powder began to fall from the sky, it helped to create this beautiful scene in the small town of Jasper, Georgia. From the photographer: “This was the first white Christmas the North Georgia Mountains had seen in 10 years. As I set up to capture the snowy cityscape, the snow and clouds gave way to this beautiful sunset. As you enter from the north end of the city you are given this view of the historic Woodbridge Inn and the bridge from which it gets its name. I really enjoy this location because it represents part of the vast history of this quaint little mountain town.” Courtesy: Joshua ChumleyA couple of horses “chill out” by grazing in a frost-covered field on a cold winter morning in Great Smoky Mountain’s Cades Cove, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Tennessee. From the photographer: “Cades Cove never disappoints.” Courtesy: Bill LeaAt 93 feet tall, Overall Run Falls is the highest waterfall in Shenandoah National Park, and attracts lots of hikers in the summer. However, only when conditions are right in the winter will you see these beautiful pillars of ice hanging down with colorful ice climbers clinging to them. Courtesy: Dachun BaoThe cliffs bordering the Meadow River in Nicolas County, West Virginia, and Sonnet Falls are best visited during warm spells in winter when creeks are full from snow melt. From the photographer: “I like this waterfall because it is a perfect example of the scenic treasures you can find by reading rock-climbing guidebooks.” Courtesy: Ed Rehbein
Ten years after this poll’s inaugural launch, we once again turned to our knowledgeable readers for their picks. The results? A brand-new collection of 71 exceptional Blue Ridge communities that excel at bringing big smiles to the faces of both residents and visitors.
Our longtime contributing editor knows Great Smoky Mountains National Park like the back of her hand. Drawing inspiration from countless visits over the years, she shares some of her favorite spots to explore during the warm months, plus insider tips for spotting wildlife, discovering waterfalls, finding the best family-friendly experiences in the park—and more!
More than a century after the 1921 West Virginia Miners’ March that ended with
the Battle of Blair Mountain, the story is being told in new and unforgettable ways.
On July 4, 1776, a new nation was born. In honor of this historic day, we explore the forts, battlefields, museums, trails, and more that trace the Patriots’ journey to freedom in the Blue Ridge Mountains.
