PowerPlant

Good morning all! I am heading to the Smoky Mountains next week and was wondering if anyone had any ideas about some interesting spots to visit for the three days I will be there. I have never visited there in March. Thank you in advance for your time.

duane klipping Loc: Bristow iowa

I always Google places I want to visit in advance. Image search is a good place to see the places. Google maps is another great tool to scout areas from either satellite view or on the road view modes.

jr388

Theres a book of all the waterfalls in the Smokies if you stop at the visitor center.

Vancewood

There is another place to look. Go on Youtube and search the subject. It will provided you with probably more videos and personal information than you can stand.

binsjohn

As a resident of the Smokies I would caution you that the Blue Ridge Parkway is closed during this part of the year due to ice and snow. It is often closed even when ambient temperatures are above freezing because there are quite a few tunnels and there sections of roadway take much longer to thaw out. It's too bad because there are some really beautiful photo ops up there. The only way I know of to get around this is to park at lower elevations and hike up to the parkway area, but that's more strenuous than I care to undertake.

manofhg Loc: Knoxville, TN

Drive around Cades Cove for one. If you like to hike, there are a lot of trails I could recommend, but that would also depend on how much you like to hike/backpack.

Smokeys65 Loc: Tennessee

Hello, I live here and love it.Be sure you visit Cades Cove. It is a must see.Have a safe trip and enjoy.

BCHiker

Sunrise - The first first rest area on 441 going toward Cherokee from the Newfound Gap Rest Area has an excellent view down a valley for a sunrise photograph. Photographers Ephemeris says the sun will rise right in that valley this time of year.

Wildflowers - if you like Wildflowers and Macro photography, Go to the Chimney's Picnic Area on 441 and walk the Cove Hardwood Trail. This is easy to access and is covered with wildflowers.

Water - Spruce Flat Falls, beautiful waterfall with a trail that starts at the Tremont Center. The Middle Prong of the Little River flows along Tremont Road and there are lots of opportunity there. Follow Tremont Road to the end, park, walk across the bridge, take the fork to the left and follow up that stream for water opportunity.

Cades Cove - There are two dirt roads in Cades Cove (Sparks Lane and Hyatt Lane) both are great landscape photo areas. Sparks Lane is particularly prone to fog in the early morning. It has great fence lines and old trees hanging over the road. Lots of old structures to photograph. See the mill and structures at the Cable Mill Visitors Center.

Old Structures - Go to the Elkmont Camp Ground, there is a road there that takes you to a large group of old summer homes from the early 1900s. You can shoot the inside and outside of these old deteriorating homes.

manofhg Loc: Knoxville, TN

While I agree with what you said, there are a few things that need pointing out. The wildflowers may not be up yet. Still a little too cool I think. There are some daffodils out though especially in Cades Cove. The old structures in Elkmont are great subjects for shooting, but though some folks go inside them and I would like to, it is prohibited. Elkmont is also a great place to take a short hike up the stream and get some great small waterfalls, still pools, etc. This area is another great wildflower place when they are in bloom or a great place for color change in the fall also.

queencitysanta Loc: Charlotte, North Carolina

Snow Sumnday and Monday be careful

AzPicLady Loc: Behind the camera!

I'm going mid-April! I'm so excited.

manofhg Loc: Knoxville, TN

Wildflowers should be up then.

rnevils

I live in Sevier county. Already have violets and spring beauties down by the creek. Look for small flowers/emerging foliage and review your macro technique. We still have some cold nights, especially up in the mountains. There can be small ice falls on road cut banks as well as at waterfalls. If you can get the sunlight working with the ice it can be spectacular. Welcome to the Smokies.

BCHiker

I live in North Georgia and in the past have found that the bloom cycle is very similar from here to there. We have trout lilies, bloodroot, violets, spring beauties, hepatica and several other early flowers in bloom. I believe it will be similar there.

treadwl Loc: South Florida

Go to the Morton Overlook for sunset. It is the best spot in the park!
If Clingman's Dome is open it is great for sunrise. Newfound Gap is the next best but I've never liked it. Waterfalls are great now because there is extra water on them. But you need to shoot these on overcast or cloudy days. Look at Soco Falls just outside of Cherokee (get directions) it is really beautiful right now but needs to be shot in late afternoon. The Sinks should be quite dramatic right now with the extra water. There are three falls within a 10 minute walk of the parking lot of the Bryson City National Park Campground--Indian Creek, Juny Whank and Tom Branch.

I just got back from a trip through the area and shot all of these.
If you have questions please p.m. me for further details.