2017 Pigeon Forge Travel Guide Jan. 2017 | Page 11

GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK OUTDOOR DINING LEAVE IT LIKE YOU FOUND IT There are a number of picnic facilities in the Our national parks are treasures, so we urge national park that include tables, grills and park visitors to respect nature’s beauty and leave restrooms. Pack a lunch and enjoy an outdoor no trace behind when you depart. For example, dining experience at Cades Cove, Metcalf pack out what you pack in. Never leave food, Bottoms or Chimneys. trash, personal items or equ ipment in the park. Regulations for leaving the park like you found FOLIAGE REPORT it can be found at nps.gov. Autumn leaf season usually lasts several weeks in the park, however timing of fall colors depends on many variables, so it’s virtually impossible to predict exact dates of “peak” season. Fall color displays can start in higher elevations as early as mid-September and traditionally reach their peak at lower elevations between mid-October and early November. Reports on color change are posted each year beginning in September at nps.gov/grsm/planourvisit/fallcolor.htm. 11