Looking for Natural areas East Coast USA for Pictures

[brewmaster15]

Hi all,
I'm looking ahead to this upcoming year and where I want to visit for some wildlife and nature Photography...I've a ton of Books on recommended locations, and I scour the web as well... But I have a problem...I hate Touristy places.. For example I love the Smokey Mountains...but absolutely hate the wall to wall cars and people there in the summer..(self centered I know!:)) .so I was hoping to tap into the experiences of our USA members on the East Coast to the Mississippi.

I'm looking for well managed national forests, exceptional state parks with unique or pristine natural areas, rivers, waterfalls, seashores...local birding hotspots that are little known on a national level....wild life refuges...places where I can take pictures and explore without the crowds....Its getting harder and harder to find such places and I know it seems odd me asking...a bit self defeating if I am asking you to share the location of a little known place and which if you do makes it more known...but hey...Its worth trying;):)

Anybody have anyplaces near them like I am looking for and is willing to share either here publically or by PM? Needs to be on the eastern half of the USA up to the Mississippi, though Canada is also welcome..

Thanks!

al

[FLGirl1977]

Well Al, since you included Canada... I love going to Algonquin Park. While it IS a national park, I never found it to be crowded when we did visit there. There are lots of trails to walk that can be done within a day. In fact, you can hit several of the trails in one day. Lots of waterfalls, granite and beauty everywhere in that park! I really loved going during the fall as well.. you wouldn't believe the colors!

Make sure you get up early enough to see the moose! :)

http://www.algonquinpark.on.ca/

http://www.luminous-landscape.com/images-10/crane7117-thumb.jpg

http://fallcreek.files.wordpress.com/2007/05/ontario-algonquin-park-c-george-kuczmak.jpg

[dishpanhands]

The most photoed place on the east coast isn't far from me.. Not many visit the place. Its not got much but there is a lot pictures around it..

here is some links to look at..

http://www.stateparks.com/babcock_fayette.html

http://www.stateparks.com/hawks_nest.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_River_Gorge_Bridge

They fill the bridge in October When tree are in full color and let them jump off it.. It is one of the best places to BASE jump one day a year. There is a bunch of people show for that one. all the places I showed you you can see in one day. they aren't far apart.

For fun you can go white water rafting it is the big draw to the area..

[brewmaster15]

Great Guys thanks...Thats just the kind of info I am looking for...It gives me a frame work to start planning a visit.:)

-al

[dishpanhands]

They also take upper new river fishing trips with lots of small mouth fishing. Bill Dance did a show catching muskies, but I have never did as good as he did.. They do 2 dayers and all kinds of fun if the white water is to much for your taste.

[marnold]

I recomend Lechworth state park here in wny.They call it the Grand Canyon of the east!Gorges water falls very picturesque.

[ashaysathe]

Franconia Notch State Park - Flume Gorge in NH - Exceptional trail we absolutely love that place.

[sneaker]

I would recommend the finger lake region of WNY as well , the lakes are beautiful

[Discus-n00b]

Few nice spots in South Carolina. Very contrasting landscapes too as you move across the state. Beaches turn into the Appalachian mtns. Keep in mind i havn't visited these in a few years so i can't truely vouch for their current state, but with them being state parks i don't see how why they wouldn't still be nice.

Hunting Island State Park. On the coast so its a beach, marsh, and ocean inlet habitat. Has a lighthouse you used to be able to go up in, i assume you still can...170ft up. If i remember correctly the beach and area there is pretty rugged (for a beach habitat). Much like Florida i guess with Oaks and Palms/Palmettos mixed in. Lots of driftwood on the beach, etc. Had a nice untouched feel the last time i was there. Supposdly pretty good birding down there. http://www.southcarolinaparks.com/park-finder/state-park/1019.aspx

Congaree swamp is more of a midlands SC park. Its a pretty thick swampy type forest. Not going to offer you any spectacular views or not miles to shoot wildlife on, but its a nice place. Really old hardwood forest. Probably a bit more "boring" then the others listed, but still nice.

Jones Gap State Park and Caesars Head State Park. I put these together because they are pretty much in the same area. Very nice parks. These are Upstate SC so they offer the nice Appalachian feel. Nice views, waterfalls, its a mountain habitat. Raven Cliff Falls is the highlight of Ceasars Head. The Middle Saluda river runs through Jones Gap and is very nice. Both have good nature trails.
http://www.southcarolinaparks.com/park-finder/state-park/962.aspx
http://www.southcarolinaparks.com/park-finder/state-park/1648.aspx

Cape Romain NWR just North of Charleston is supposed to be good for birds as well. It sits next to Bulls Island which is basically a virtually untouched SC costal island. "Over 277 species of birds can be found on the refuge" according to the website. And of course deer, squirrel, racoons, gators, etc.
http://www.fws.gov/caperomain/species.html

[GrillMaster]

Why not take a short trip to the white mountains in NH Al? Photo ops gallore there my friend. Lots of stuff ta see and do as well. Carrie, Becky an Ethan would love a bumper sticker on the back of the suv statin "This car has climbed the white mountains"... ;) :D

While your at it snap a few pics of the man in the mountain so all here at Simply can see just what all the fuss is about!. :)

[rbarn]

Its west of the Miss. but not by much.

Check out the Ozarks of NW Arkansas and SW Missouri.

www.gastons.com is great place to stay at. Cheap and cant be the people
and the view. Sit on deck of cottage and watch giant blue heron eat trophy rainbow trout.

[brewmaster15]

Thanks everyone, please keep them coming!

-al