The Smokies are gorgeous year round, but there is something about the fall that adds another layer to them. The air is crisp, and the leaves are beautiful. There are so many beautiful places to take fall pictures in the Smokies, and this post will go over the ten best places. You’ll get breathtaking views and memories that will last a lifetime.
1. Newfound Gap
Newfound Gap is one of the most popular places to take fall pictures in the Smokies. You get two separate views of the mountains in one open area, and it is one of the most easily accessible spots to get to. The Appalachian Trail runs right through this photogenic area, and it offers the perfect platform to view the beautiful fall foliage. For an added feature, it is also the perfect place to take a sunrise or sunset picture.
2. Pigeon Forge’s Old Mill
The Old Mill provides a gorgeous backdrop for fall pictures in the Smokies. You’ll also get a small waterfall, along with brilliant fall colors from the trees that enclose the Mill and hang over the river. This Old Mill is a must-see for any photographer that is traveling through the Smokies. It is iconic, easily recognizable, and it makes a memorable photograph that you will cherish for years to come.
3. Clingman’s Dome
This picturesque spot is the highest point in the entire Smoky Mountains. To get to Clingman’s Dome, you’ll have to travel seven miles up a road, and the views are spectacular. You walk up a steep walkway to an observation deck, and once you get there, it opens to a stunning sky shot that showcases the towering trees. The fall colors will be on brilliant display here, and if it is a clear day, you’ll see for 100 miles.
4. Cades Cove
Cades Cove is a valley that is surrounded by trees and mountains. It is a very popular spot to take pictures, especially in the fall. You’ll have an eleven-mile looped road to travel on that will give you plenty of opportunity for some beautiful shots. There are old buildings, a mill, and churches that would stand out against the fall colors. The wildlife is also plentiful here, and it’s not uncommon to see bear or deer around.
5. Ramsey Cascades
This spot in the Smokies offers a stunning waterfall view along with the fall foliage. Ramsey Cascades is the largest waterfall in the Smokey Mountains, and it is very popular with anyone who wants to take fall pictures in the Smokies. The trail to take you around this waterfall is 8 miles total, and it is worth the difficulty to get there. This waterfall is over 100 feet tall with rocky ledges and outcroppings that are surrounded by trees.
6. Mount LeConte
Mount LeConte is the third-highest peak in the Smokies. Once you hike to the top of the trail, you’ll be treated to gorgeous panoramic views that make it a perfect platform for stunning fall pictures. You may also catch a glimpse of the llamas that carry supplies up the mountain and back down. The hike to the top also offers several beautiful places to stop and take pictures like Alum Cave and Anakeesta Ridge.
7. Foothills Parkway
The quaint spot is one of the lesser known prime photograph locations in the Smokies. This Foothills Parkway will take you over several overlooks and the pathways will take you above the valleys of the Smoky mountains. It offers you a beautiful view of the fall colors with the mountains as a backdrop. This is a seventeen mile stretch of road that will leave you with many happy memories and accompanying photographs.
8. Blue Ridge Parkway
This scenic stretch of roadway runs through North Carolina, and Sugar Maple trees surround it. They turn brilliant reds and oranges once fall hits, and the photographs you can get are stunning. You can stop off and walk some of the trails or pathways to get even closer to the fall colors that make this area a must see destination. Blue Ridge Parkway offers views that are harder to find, and all you have to do is drive to see them.
9. Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail
The Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail takes a little work to get there, but the views are unbeatable. You can take a self-guided nature hike, and see the creek that this trail is named after. The fall colors will be on full display, and if you hike two miles in, you’ll see Grotto Falls. This offers a breathtaking backdrop to any pictures you may take, and the colors will highlight the beauty of the waterfall.
10. Chimney Tops
The Chimney Tops trail is a shorter hiking trail that will take you through some of the most gorgeous parts of the Smokies. It is only two miles long, or four miles if you make the loop. This trail will take you along several bridges and over streams, all while bright fall colors surround you. Once you hit the two-mile peak, you’ll be greeted with stunning panoramic views of the surrounding foliage and mountains.
The Smoky Mountains offer some of the best places to take pictures. If you’re around the area at the end of summer, take a day and visit a few of the places we featured. We have some of the best destinations to take fall pictures in the Smokies that you could ask for. Take the family for a day outing or a mini vacation and book your stay at the Old Creek Lodge today. You’ll be glad you did.
