Spanning North Carolina and Tennessee, Great Smoky Mountains National Park can be summed up in three words: “It’s worth it!” If you love nature, hiking, and photography, then this National Park has it all! With over 11 million visitors last year, according to National Geographic, Great Smoky Mountains National Park has ranked #1 as the most widely visited US National Park year after year. It’s no wonder why! Minutes from Dollywood and Gatlinburg, Tennessee, the park quickly transports you into another world. Upon entering the National Park, dense forests surround you and scenic byways take you atop stunning mountain vistas. In addition to the beautiful drives, hidden hiking trails lead you past cascading waterfalls deep within black bear country. All in all, this park does not disappoint! Be sure to visit the park website for current closures and conditions.
Map of Great Smoky Mountains National Park:
Top Photography Locations and Sights at Great Smoky Mountains National Park:
As photographers, we know that many of you will only have one chance in a lifetime to visit the National Parks. To make your life easier, we have compiled a list of our top photography locations and sights at Great Smoky Mountains National Park! While this is not comprehensive, and there are many more amazing sights to see, it should give you a good feel for the park.
Great Smoky Mountains National Park Wildlife Photography:
Great Smoky Mountains National Park is filled with wildlife and biodiversity. If you like wildlife photography, you will love what this park has to offer!
Want to learn more about Great Smoky Mountains National Park? Check out these maps, guides & books:
- Great Smoky Mountains Day Hikes and National Park Map [Map Pack Bundle] (National Geographic Trails Illustrated Map)
- Hiking Great Smoky Mountains National Park: A Guide to the Park’s Greatest Hiking Adventures (Regional Hiking Series)
- Moon Great Smoky Mountains National Park: Hiking, Camping, Scenic Drives (Travel Guide)
- Fodor’s InFocus Great Smoky Mountains National Park (Full-color Travel Guide)
- The Great Smoky Mountains National Park (TN) (Images of America)
Please note, by making purchases through our affiliate links, you are supporting our mission to celebrate and showcase our National Parks and the photographers who frequent them. As an Amazon Associate, National Park Photographer earns from qualifying purchases at no cost to you. We appreciate your support.
Featured National Park Photographers:
- Mike Goad: Cades Cove
- Vezzani Photography: Clingmans Dome, Grotto Falls, Laurel Falls, Morton Overlook, Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail, Sugarlands Visitor’s Center
- NPS: Chimneys Picnic Area, Eastern Box Turtle, Newfound Gap Road, Luftee Overlook, Mount Cammerer Fire Tower
- NPS / Robert Crootof: Mingus Mill
- Pixabay: Great Smoky Mountains
- Shutterstock / AlexBuess: Abrams Falls
- Shutterstock / Arlene Waller: Ramsey Cascades
- Shutterstock / Ben McMurtray: Red-cheeked Salamander
- Shutterstock / cameronbailey8912: Mouse Creek Falls
- Shutterstock / ehrlif: Little River Road
- Shutterstock / jadimages: Two Deer Standing in the Snow
- Shutterstock / Kelly vanDellen: Arch Rock, Cataloochee Valley
- Shutterstock / KLiK Photography: Black Bear Great Smoky Mountains
- Shutterstock / kurdistan: Indian Creek Falls
- Shutterstock / Jill Lang: Mingo Falls
- Shutterstock / John Brueske: Juney Whank Falls
- Shutterstock / Joseph Creamer: Mt. Le Conte Hike
- Shutterstock / Larry Knupp: Lynn Camp Prong Cascades
- Shutterstock / leaena: Wild Turkey on a Tree
- Shutterstock / Martina Sliger: Porter’s Creek Trail
- Shutterstock / NaturalStock: Little Pigeon River
- Shutterstock / Photosbyjam: Rainbow Falls
- Shutterstock / Robert Lynn: Spruce Flats Falls
- Shutterstock / Schwartz Nature Images: Red Headed Pileated Woodpecker
- Shutterstock / Theron Stripling III: Alum Cave Bluffs
- Shutterstock / Weidman Photography: Hen Wallow Falls
Want to visit more parks? Check out our complete list of the US National Parks!
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