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Rising to 6643 feet, Clingman’s Dome is the highest peak in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. A 45-foot concrete observation tower stands atop the summit and straddles North Carolina and Tennessee. The National Park Service built it in 1959 as part of the “Mission 66” program.
The Clingman’s Dome Road begins at Newfound Gap. It is seven miles from the gap to the parking lot for the Dome, with pull-outs along the way to enjoy the scenery. Fog was rolling in as we pulled into the parking lot. By the time we’d climbed the 1/2 mile to the tower, it was completely socked in. On a clear day, visibility is up to 100 miles, but we couldn’t see anything from the top.
While we weren’t able to enjoy the 360 degree views from the tower (which we hear isn’t as spectacular as it can be due to pollution) we did get some pretty cool shots of the fog rolling down the mountains.
Walking back down from the tower, we saw some guys standing in the brush with professional movie cameras. Perhaps they were making a nature film.
Location: Clingmans Dome, Forneys Creek, NC 28713
Designation: National Park
Date designated/established: Septempber 2, 1940
Date of my visit: August 2013
It would have been great to see this place. Sadly, when I was there years ago, the observation deck was closed for maintenance. The views from the parking lot was great.
Yes, strangely, the parking lot had great views even though visibility was zero a few feet up
We had the same view when we visited Clingman’s Dome, soupy fog! But, it was still fun!
I guess that’s the Smoky in GSMNP😂
And I join this group. Pea soup fog when we were there as well, but still worth seeing.
Lol, the Great Soupy Mountains 🏔
So they really do look like smoky mountains 🙂
Yes! Always misty up there
Thank you for the information and beauty you share!
Well thank you for making my day😊
You are more than welcome!
Foggy photos can create great opportunities as well, moody and mysterious, but we all long for that clear long distance view. Hope all is well T. Allan
Hi Allan! Glad to hear from you! I missed your latest blog switch in all the chaos of the last year, but I found it now
Welcome aboard. Great to hear from you. Allan
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