Archive 2013 · Best Smoky Mountain Locations in TN

Johnny B Goode
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p.1 #1 · p.1 #1 · Best Smoky Mountain Locations in TN

I have planned a trip to TN. While I have many stops on my itinerary I was hoping to get a few recommendations from fellow FMers. I am by no means considered a landscape photographer but would love to discover and capture some great locations. We'll be leaving Iowa City this Tuesday evening heading down to Shawnee National Forest in southern IL to get a few hours of sleep. We'll leave there after a brief hike in the morning and head to Nashville for yoga. Then it's off to Fall Creek Falls state park and on to Chattanooga to stay the night with friends. Leaving Chattanooga mid day to head to the Smoky Mountains to camp. If you have any great recommendations or tips I'd be glad to hear! We'll unfortunately only have time to stay in the mountains for a day before heading back to Chattanooga to white water raft saturday then on to Nashville saturday evening through monday morning.

No need to give up your secret spots just looking for some great areas to explore!

Thanks in advance!

Sep 15, 2013 at 02:51 PM

Kee Woo Rhee
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p.1 #2 · p.1 #2 · Best Smoky Mountain Locations in TN

I am also going to the Great Smoky in about two weeks. I hear that Morton Overlook and Clingman's Dome would be good places for sunrise and sunset. I am sure many other FMers will give you good advice.

Sep 15, 2013 at 03:03 PM

stanparker
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p.1 #3 · p.1 #3 · Best Smoky Mountain Locations in TN

It is too early for much fall color. Near Gatlinburg, there is the Roaring Forks Motor Trail, where you can spend several hours or more. Lots of small cascades plus hikes to a couple beautiful waterfalls. Also, all along Little River Rd are good ops, including waterfalls and hikes to waterfalls. If you need more, Middle Prong (Tremont area) has beautiful cascades and falls.

A shorter trip from Chattanooga would be Tellico Plains, where the Tellico River and the Bald River produce fabulous waterfalls. You could possibly do this as a day trip from Chattanooga. The Cherohala Trail starts there, would be great color a little later.

Sep 15, 2013 at 05:38 PM

kentrks
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p.1 #4 · p.1 #4 · Best Smoky Mountain Locations in TN

In offering my opinion I can mention several locations where I have had good luck. I have shot in the GMS a couple of dozen times in the past six years.

I stay away from Gatlinburg. I went there twice on the same day once - the first and last time. Roaring Forks took forever to get through counting traffic in and out of Gatlinburg. Just not worth it. Not one keeper for the very few images we shot there.

My favorite area is on the Townssend side of the park. Cades Cove loop is a must. I have shot sunrise and sunset there with some good results. The Middle Prong Little River at the Tremont area can provide hours and hours of shooting. Little River road going towards Gatlinburg or towards Cades Cove will also provide countless opportunities. Clingmans Dome and Newfound Gap can also be rewarding depending on sky and light.

I hope you have a great experience - GSM is an incredible park and remember you have been warned about Gatlinburg.

Sep 15, 2013 at 07:44 PM

Johnny B Goode
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p.1 #5 · p.1 #5 · Best Smoky Mountain Locations in TN

Noted on Gatlinburg and we will stay away. Everything else I have read about Gatlinburg describes it as a tourist trap. Thank you all for the advice!

Sep 15, 2013 at 08:01 PM

NCAndy
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p.1 #6 · p.1 #6 · Best Smoky Mountain Locations in TN

Since you are camping, I'd recommend staying in Cades Cove. That will allow you to get an early start or stay late into the evening. You can then branch out towards Tremont or the Little River after that. Just about any side stream or trail will offer some photo ops. If you happen to be in the Cove on a Wed or Sat morning, bring a bike. The loop road is closed to car traffic until 10am. This holds through the end of Sept.

Sep 15, 2013 at 08:25 PM

skibum5
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p.1 #7 · p.1 #7 · Best Smoky Mountain Locations in TN

make sure to hit up the old-growth forests for which the park is famed

in TN: laurel falls trail, from laurel falls and on; ramsey cascades trail (after a while); Albright Trail (once you get into the grove); there is a little bit that is closer access off of one of the TN motor trails; just to name a few

as a landscape shooter, avoid the trap of not seeing the trees for the scenic overviews of the forests, remember the heart of the forest is every bit as great, if not more, than just the scenic overlooks (although they can be very nice in the Smoky Mountains too).

they have some very nice bouldery streams too

there should be dozens of books and guides in various stores in the area

Sep 15, 2013 at 11:51 PM

SouthShot
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p.1 #8 · p.1 #8 · Best Smoky Mountain Locations in TN

Spruce Flats Falls at the closed end of Tremont Road, Laurel Falls on Little River Road, Ramsey Cascades. I can't remember the name of the road but it's a good 3 1/2 to 4 mile hike with some old growth timber along the way. The overlook on US-441 is a good sunrise, sunset location. Cades Cove is super nice if you can beat the crowds. Go very early before they open the gates for all the cars and walk in about 1/2 mile and hopefully there will be some fog for you or some deer, turkey or black bears. Good luck and be sure and post some of your captures.

Sep 16, 2013 at 12:47 AM

NCAndy
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p.1 #9 · p.1 #9 · Best Smoky Mountain Locations in TN

skibum5 wrote:
make sure to hit up the old-growth forests for which the park is famed

in TN: laurel falls trail, from laurel falls and on; ramsey cascades trail (after a while); Albright Trail (once you get into the grove); there is a little bit that is closer access off of one of the TN motor trails; just to name a few

as a landscape shooter, avoid the trap of not seeing the trees for the scenic overviews of the forests, remember the heart of the forest is every bit as great, if not more, than just the scenic overlooks (although they can be...Show more →
You can add the Fork Ridge Trail for old growth too. Most of the large Balsam (Frasier) Fir are dead but there are still plenty of large Red (Adirondack) Spruce. The trailhead is easy to access off the Clingman's Dome Rd.

Sep 16, 2013 at 12:53 AM


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