First, I would like to remind you of a few things. Please, if trying to photograph animals do not crowd their space. If you are changing the animals behavior, you are to close. Also, please be cautious not to trample the plant life/wildflowers when photographing. If you happen to see visitors picking or digging flowers, ask them not to (if you don’t feel threatened) or get their license number and report them to the Park Ranger in that area. We must together take care of our world so we and others may be able to share in its beauty in the future. Greenbrier area has many stream/water opportunities along with wildflowers in the spring. Stream shots are best very early morning or later in afternoon. The road is gravel and dust on roadside flowers is a problem. So, for best flower shots find flowers away from the road or just after a rain may also help. The trail to Porters Flat about 1 1/2 miles in makes for beautiful scenes of the forest floor carpeted with white fringed phacelia and you smell its sweet fragrance as you near the area. Gatlinburg Bypass has two pull-offs with great views of Gatlinburg with Mt. LeConte as a backdrop. The sun rises behind Mt. LeConte so once the sun comes up the light is harsh. Makes good pre-sunrise photos or be there in mid-afternoon or evening. Makes great night shots of Gatlinburg.
On the Parkway heading to Clingmans Dome about 2 miles up, you will come upon two pull-offs on the left. These provide beautiful vistas of Bullhead Mt. and the hardwood forest below. The sun rises behind Bullhead so early morning views cast dark shadows on face of the mountain. Early to mid afternoon often give the best light. Make sure you stop at both because they each provide a different view and feel.
Chimney Tops Picnic Area is next. You could bring along a picnic and spend all day taking photos at this location! Just get there early for a picnic spot during the busy seasons. There are stream and water shots. And, we think, one of the biggest concentrations of wildflowers with easy access is located here. The Cove Hardwood Trail has enough wildflowers to keep you busy all day. You will see Dutchman’s Britches, Squirrel Corn, Jack-in-the-Pulpits, Little Brown Jug (if you look close), Trilliums (early-mid April), Trout Lilly, Solomon’s Seal, False Solomon’s Seal, Mandarin, Spring Beauty and much more. This area also has White Fringed Phacalia that blankets the forest floor like a white carpet. It is absolutely beautiful. Heading on up the mountain, you will come upon two more pull-offs on the right with views of Chimney Tops. The second pull-off has the best view. This is beautiful in the fall and spring when the leaves are so many different shades of green. Just past these pull-offs you will come to the parking lot for Chimney Tops trailhead. If you plan to hike, be there early. The parking lot fills up fast. In
the winter as long as it has been cold enough, this is a great spot for icy stream shots. Foot bridges offer an aerial view of the West Prong at mid-stream. Also, the pull-off just past the parking lot on right is a good spot to photograph a hillside full of mountain laurel (in mid-May to early June) in bloom with Chimney Tops in the distance.
There are numerous photo opportunities from Chimney Tops on our way to Morton Overlook. Some of the best sunsets in the Smokies can be seen from this location. Get there early, it is a popular spot among photographers. We pick up bar-b-ques at Bennett’s in Gatlinburg and have dinner while waiting on the sun to set. Sunsets are best here June through mid-August. Mid-August through October the sunsets are to far to the left. That is when you move to the parking lot at Clingmans Dome. Again, get there early for your prime spot. Don’t pack up and leave once the sun sets or you may well miss the best part of the show, the afterglow. Many times 15-30 minutes after the sun sets is the most colorful part of the sunset. Also, if it is cloudy, don’t give up. Often times, the clouds will open producing those beautiful sun rays illuminating the ridges below.
Newfound Gap is the next stop after Morton Overlook. There is always plenty of space to photo the vistas from here. This is one of the most accessible sunrise spots. It is best in late summer, fall, winter, and early spring. By June, the sun is far to the left and almost out of view. Be there and set up at least 45 minutes before sunrise as often times your best light is 15-30 minutes prior to actual sunrise. Late afternoon thunderstorms also often offer interesting lighting and views. Another spot for sunrises is the next large parking lot from Newfound Gap on the Cherokee side.
Deep Creek Overlook has parking lots on both sides with large metal catwalks to put you at the best locations. This area is best in fall with great color and grand vistas. Blue skies or stormy conditions can both produce great photos. In the fall, early morning light comes from the left and produces wonderful sidelighting on the mountain ridges. If you continue on into North Carolina, you will see many stream shots and shortly arrive at Mangus Mill. This mill operates Mid-march through December. There are many vantage points to photograph the mill. Best light is late morning or early afternoon.
The Mountain Farm Museum is next. You could spend 1/2 day shooting here. There are old log cabins, barns, out buildings, wagon wheels, ox yolks and much more. This area is beautiful in spring with all of the flowering trees. Early and late light work best. From here you can hop on the Blue Ridge Parkway, The opportunities are endless.
