Little River Road leads you to one of our favorite spots in the Smokies, Cades Cove. However, this road follows a beautiful mountain stream that offers numerous water shots so if you start taking pictures on the way you may never make it to the Cove. There are dogwoods and red bud that flower in the spring located along the stream. Meigs Falls is also located on this road. But, watch close, its sets back in the woods and you will miss it if your not looking for it. The pull-off to Meigs Falls is on the left going towards Cades Cove. It is the only pull-off with a knee high stone wall. There are also wildflower shots such as columbine, jack-in-the-pulpits, purple phacelia, fire pinks and more located at various places along this road.
The Tremont area is located on the left shortly after the turn off for Townsend. Again, there are numerous stream shots and early to mid afternoon in spring and fall you get colorful water reflections that make the water look green, yellow or red. Spruce Flat Falls is located in this area. Ask at the small visitors center for directions to the trail. It can be hard to find. In the spring, flowering dogwood and red bud can be found along the stream along with many other wildflowers such as showy orchids and dwarf crested iris.
Cades Cove is the next stop on this journey. You could spend days just photographing things along the path to Cades Cove. If you are going to the Cove during the busy tourist seasons, we recommend going during the week vs. the weekend if your schedule permits. The weekends, especially in October, are extremely crowded. Our favorite time in the Cove is first morning light. So, be there at least 30 minutes before the gate opens at 7 am. There will probably already be a line. Our favorite spot to set up and wait on morning light is Sparks Lane. It is about 1 to 1 ½ miles into the park so you could easily walk in to be ready because many times the sun is up before they let cars enter the loop. You can also bring a bike and get there even faster. The picture on our home page was taken on Sparks Lane in April of 2004. The gravel road and the fence line make for good pictures. And often times there are horses, turkeys, deer and the occasional coyote in the fields. We love it when there is a nice fog in the valley. Along this 11 mile loop, there are old homesteads, barns, split rail fencing, beautiful mountain and valley vistas, old churches, Cable Gristmill, Old wagons, wildflowers and wildlife. This is probably your best area to see bear. REMEMBER NOT TO CROWD THEIR SPACE. During the rut, you see huge bucks with their antlers locked and fighting. Deer can usually be seen any season and usually more visible in early morning and evening hours.
Rich Mountain Road is a one-way road that leads you back to Townsend. There are a few nice photo opportunities such as the “Church in the Valley” picture you often see in books and at the Smokies Visitors Centers. If you want to walk, the spot for this picture is about 2 miles one-way. There are also a lot of Pileated Woodpeckers in this area especially the first mile of Rich Mountain Road.
The Cable Mill area will provide a needed restroom break along with 1870’s farmstead. There is a small visitors center located here also. As you leave the mill area, you will see Parsons Branch Road on the right. The Whitehead farm is located out this road and the road is closed shortly past this farm. Part of this road was destroyed several years ago from heavy rains and flooding. The park service has reopened the road in 2007. Just past Parsons Branch Road you will see a large pull-off area on the right. Just about 50 yds past this on the left (over in the wooded area) you will see a pond or swap area, which makes for GREAT reflection shots. There are several more homesteads as you continue on the loop through the Cove. Watch for bear between Cable Mill and Sparks Lane. We usually take along a picnic lunch and spend the day in Cades Cove. They have a great picnic area with restrooms. So, when the light gets to harsh we stop and have lunch by the stream catch an afternoon nap and wait for the evening light.
