Great Smoky Mountains NP trip

I will have the opportunity to spend 2 days in late July focused on photography in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. I have not visited the park before and since I have a limited amount of time I want to use my time wisely so I'm looking for suggestions on the best locations to photograph from anyone who has experience photographing there.

Thanks,
Jeff

Can you give a little better location? That's any awfully big area. Where are you staying and what do you want to shoot?

huntersdad wrote in post #12626315
Can you give a little better location? That's any awfully big area. Where are you staying and what do you want to shoot?

I'm planning to stay in Townsend, TN as I understand this location is a little quieter than Gatlinburg or Pigeon Forge, would you agree? I would like to shoot some sunrises and sunsets from the higher elevations. I read that Clingman's Dome is a great place for this. I would also like to photograph some waterfalls and some of the pioneer buildings such as homes, barns, mills, and churches. I realize that the park is quite large so I will appreciate any guidance you can give me.

Weekend or weekday?

Took a quick look at your site (nice work, btw)--given what I saw of your style there, I'd recommend the following based on the trip I took there last fall:

Clingman's Dome (yes, you'll be one of a dozen or more photogs lined up with your red ringed lenses, but it really is the best place to capture a sunset). Don't bother hiking up to the point unless you want to say you did it, though, as there isn't a decent vantage point to the west from up there. The view from the parking lot and sidewalk is much better.)

Spruce Flats Falls--probably my favorite hike from when I went. Moderately strenuous compared to others, but better falls there than in other places, in my view, and it won't be as crowded.

That's where I was going - to crowd or avoid.

Clingman's is fine.

I'll suggest a second option for some older churches/homes. You're not too far from Cataloochee Valley - home of the NC elk. There are several historical buildings up there and during the week, I would think it would be quiet.

However, Cades Cove is closer. Lots of older buildings and what not. Once completed, taking some the side roads heading back to Gatlinburg gets you away from people and near alot of waterfalls that are much less crowded. In fact, just taking a leisurely drive through that area will likely result in some great scenics that are vacant.

I spent a vacation in Gatlinburg/Piregon Forge last fall and swore I'd shoot myself before doing it again. It was one of the least relaxing vacations I have been on due to traffic and the sheer amount of people.

Townsend is a good base for touring the park. You will be close to Cades Cove Road, and Cades Cove is a must see, despite high traffic. Driving along Little River Rd you will see some waterfalls and cascades, including The Sinks and the trailhead for Laurel Falls. Drive Middle Prong Road, which has trails to numerous falls. (Use Google to get descriptions of trails.) Drive 441 across the park to see Cherokee, visit Mingo Falls there, come back for sunset at Clingman's Dome (from the parking lot).

Drive the Roaring Fork Motor Trail for lots of places to see cascades and trails to waterfalls. Drive Greenbrier Rd if you have time. Cataloochee Valley is good, too, if you have time.

I think you will need more like two weeks, rather than two days.

Check the Tennessee section of my photo gallery for ideas.

I agree about Townsend. It is the base for many photography field trips and workshops. We only go to Pigeon Forge if we want to go to one of the X number of outlet shops.

Personally I would not head to the Smoky Mountains during the summer break or on a "leaf weekend" in October. If you do have to go at one of the peak traffic times, you might want to try Cataloochee. You might the creek along Tremont road a nice place...but likely a significant about of people there. If you do go into Cades Cove consider exiting via Parson Road or Rich Mountain Road. Rich Mountain Road will bring you back into Townsend. Balsam Mountain should be nice...if not too crowded.

My thanks to all of you for your thoughtful replies. The information you've provided is very helpful and will make my trip much more productive and enjoyable. My 2-day trip in late July is really intended to be a "scouting trip" before my wife and I go for a longer visit in the fall (probably mid to late October). I know I'll only have time to get a "feel" for a limited area of the park, and I realize that my late July trip will be during the height of the summer vacation season. Hopefully my plans to shoot very early (sunrise) and late in the day for the better light will help me avoid some of the crowds.

Jeff

JeffCS wrote in post #12632219
My thanks to all of you for your thoughtful replies. The information you've provided is very helpful and will make my trip much more productive and enjoyable. My 2-day trip in late July is really intended to be a "scouting trip" before my wife and I go for a longer visit in the fall (probably mid to late October). I know I'll only have time to get a "feel" for a limited area of the park, and I realize that my late July trip will be during the height of the summer vacation season. Hopefully my plans to shoot very early (sunrise) and late in the day for the better light will help me avoid some of the crowds.

Jeff

Jeff, there are lots of places, such as waterfalls, that are so shaded they can be shot almost any time of day. The Roaring Fork Motor Trail is mostly good during mid-day.

JeffCS wrote in post #12632219
My thanks to all of you for your thoughtful replies. The information you've provided is very helpful and will make my trip much more productive and enjoyable. My 2-day trip in late July is really intended to be a "scouting trip" before my wife and I go for a longer visit in the fall (probably mid to late October). I know I'll only have time to get a "feel" for a limited area of the park, and I realize that my late July trip will be during the height of the summer vacation season. Hopefully my plans to shoot very early (sunrise) and late in the day for the better light will help me avoid some of the crowds.

Jeff

OK, in that case, go scout Cataloochee. Elk will be rutting through mid-October. It is a sight to see and hear and the backdrop will be awesome at that time.

not to mention...the wolves


In the fall go to nearby Bryson City NC and ride the train through Nantahala for the colors. Near Christmas take kids/grandkids there for their Polar Express. Great fun

If you try Clingman's Dome in the morning, for a sunrise, I would be willing to bet you'll have it to yourself. Last time I was in the Smokys, it was empty for at least an hour after the sun cleared the mountains.

My wife and I were in Townsend last October. Here is a link to some of the pictures we took. They are geo-coded so you can see pretty much exactly where we were.

My Smoky Mountain Pictures

Townsend was very nice, and yes, much quieter than Pigeon Forge or Gattlinberg, but they roll up the streets after about 9 so make pans for dinner early. They DO have a Pizza Hut, which we called ahead to several nights as we were on our way back to our cabin for carry-out.

Here are the write-ups I did during the trip as well if you are interested.

Smoky Mountain Blog Entries

You'll have a great time. Stay cool in the mountains and watch out for the bears.

2 days that's tuff!!!

get your butt out of bed early and head to cades cove one of the days, turkey, deer, bear old buildings. if you can't fill a memory card or two your not looking!!!!

roaring fork is a great drive just before sunset.

even with all the people both pigeon forge and gatlinberg offer many photo opps...

two days isn't even close to enough time trust me...

for your fall trip I would suggest trying to stay between pf and gattlinberg (locals call it old ski hill) sky harbor. legacy mountain resort is my favorite place to stay even though the cabins are close together, perfect sunrise photo's almost too easy!!!

I spend 6 or 7 weeks down there every year, just love it that much....

traffic can suck for sure, just learn the back ways around and it makes it much better...

have fun and a great time!!