Great Smoky Mountains, Tennessee

Looking for the best photography in Great Smoky Mountains? We've got you covered with the top trails, trips, hiking, backpacking, camping and more around Great Smoky Mountains. The detailed guides, photos, and reviews are all submitted by the Outbound community.

Top Photography Spots in and near Great Smoky Mountains

  • Cullowhee, North Carolina

    Yellow Mountain Fire Tower via Cloud Catcher Lane

    5.0
    1.78 mi / 682 ft gain
    Yellow Mountain Fire Tower features some of the best views, looking out over both the Northern Georgia mountains as well as seeing the flat-lands of South Carolina past the mountain ranges. This hike is pretty well known for its 12-mile round trip trek, starting in Cashiers, NC, however, there's ...
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  • Knoxville, Tennessee

    Adair Park

    1.5 mi
    This Urban park is located in North Knoxville. The park is only a few minutes from downtown Knoxville. This park is small but offers a nice wilderness in the city. There is a lot of wildlife at this park. The park has many hiking/biking trails through the park. In total there is 1.5 miles of gree...
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  • Knoxville, Tennessee

    Victor Ashe Park

    4.7
    2.5 mi
    This park is located just 10 minutes from downtown Knoxville. The parking here is massive and has near 100 parking spots spread out over the park. The park offers many activities and amazing views. The main attraction of the park is the greenway and the disc golf course. The greenway runs all the...
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  • Tuckasegee, North Carolina

    Paradise Falls

    4.3
    0.74 mi / 167 ft gain
    To the north of Panthertown lies a chain of dammed lakes that are some of the most peaceful waters in Western North Carolina. These make up the headwaters of the East Fork of the Tuckasegee River. The gorges that run between the top lakes are wild, scenic, and adventurous to even the most experie...
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  • Canton, North Carolina

    Photograph Sunburst Falls

    This waterfall is right off the side of the road on NC 215. NC 215 is straight off of the blue ridge parkway and is just north of Brevard. The waterfall has to main parts one that is above the road and one that is below. The part below the road is the most scenic and the easiest to walk too. The ...
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  • Tuckasegee, North Carolina

    Hike to Dill Falls

    0.4 mi / 400 ft gain
    The drive to this waterfall can be a little muddy when there is a lot of rain and can need an AWD or 4WD in the rain. The road has some new gravel laid in parts so it could be improved in a few months. In the summer there is also a chance of seeing large dump trucks and logging trucks, but the ro...
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  • Del Rio, Tennessee

    Meadow Creek Fire Tower

    5.0
    0.14 mi / 17.06 ft gain
    Meadow Creek Fire Tower is a great place to spend an afternoon watching the sunset or spend the night gazing at the stars. You can bring a blanket then lay out on the top of the tower and view the entire sky. The tower itself was made back in the early 1920's. Over the years it changed appearance...
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  • Otto, North Carolina

    Hike to and Climb Pickens Nose

    4.8
    1.5 mi / 200 ft gain
    From the parking area (fits about 6 cars) follow the trail on the same side of the road up the ridge through dense rhododendron. Several spur trails branch off of the main trail and lead to rock outcroppings with excellent views. Getting to the parking area is slow. The narrow gravel road winds...
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  • Tellico Plains, Tennessee

    Explore North River Road

    4.7
    If you're looking to get off the beaten path and take the road less traveled, North River Road is your ticket to solitude.A popular loop for the locals is starting on Tellico River Road, then getting on North River Road to make your way up the mountain all the way to the Cherohala Skyway. Take th...
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  • Tellico Plains, Tennessee

    Camp at North River Campground and Dispersed Campsites

    North River Road is located in the Nantahala National Forest near Tellico Plains. To get to North River Campground you can either drive up the Cherohala Skyway about 6 miles then turn when you see the sign for the campground and bald river falls. Another way to get to the campsites along North Ri...
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  • Highlands, North Carolina

    Photograph and Explore Bridal Veil Falls

    4.0
    Bridal Veil Falls is located directly off of the road and is about a 100 feet tall in total. The falls makes for a great place to take pictures under the water falls. The falls itself is small and flows constant all year long getting to the bottom of the falls is not recommended because it is dan...
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  • Highlands, North Carolina

    Dry Falls

    4.6
    0.35 mi / 26 ft gain
    Dry Falls is located off of Hwy. 64, which has been designated as the Mountain Waters Scenic Byway, and the road does not disappoint. Hwy. 64 is a two lane road which hugs the northern side of Cullasaja Gorge, which has been carved by the Cullasaja River. Besides Dry Falls, Hwy. 64 leads you past...
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  • Glenville, North Carolina

    Hike to Frolictown Falls

    1.5 mi / 350 ft gain
    This is an awesome hike to do if you're short on time or have hours to kill. Because it is so easy to access, it doesn't take very long to get down to it and can be accessed by two separate trails. Both trails are well maintained, however, while there are some blazes, it is not heavily marked. Th...
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  • Glenville, North Carolina

    Hike to Blackrock Overlook

    3 mi / 700 ft gain
    This is probably one of my favorite hikes I've done in Panthertown Valley. Its also one of the easier views to access. You start from the Salt Rock Gap Parking lot, taking the Blackrock Trail (447) up Blackrock Mountain. This trail is located about 100 yards to the left if you are standing lookin...
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  • Glenville, North Carolina

    Hike to Granny Burrell Falls

    2.4 mi / 440 ft gain
    Panthertown Valley has a unique system of trails, with each trail having a specific number. Some of the trails listed at the information hut in the parking lot are accessed by taking one or two other trails to get to the start of the trail you are seeking. That is the case when hiking to Granny B...
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  • Glenville, North Carolina

    Hike to Wilderness Falls

    1.4 mi / 300 ft gain
    Wilderness Falls offers a beautiful hike with a simple yet captivating falls. All of the maintained trails in Pantertown Valley are marked by a number system (there is an information hut in the parking lot with information about other local trails, distance of different trails, and emergency cont...
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