annadonmac Loc: East Tennessee

According to the AM news the road is slated to open this Sunday March 1st. Tunnel repairs complete,

LTB

Just step out the the door in and around Gatlinburg. Everything is a photo opportunity. Cades Cove, Elkmont, Clingman's Dome, Newfound Gap. And if you go in the spring... watch for bear. Enjoy God's Country!

NatureRocks

Cades Cove, as several have suggested, is a really pleasant place. There is a large loop that you can drive around, or, if so inclined, in the early mornings, you can bike around it. Often deer are out in the meadows, and, yes, there are numerous older buildings that have been somewhat restored.

If you are willing, not far away in North Carolina, are several truly beautiful natural places. Going up on the Blue Ridge Parkway provides vistas for many miles, especially if clear. Brevard was once 'cursed' as the best town in which to retire, but it still is wonderful small town. And Asheville is also an amazing place, especially if you are interested in arts and crafts. There are several arts galleries in town. The New Morning Gallery in the Biltmore Village is special and the Biltmore Estate is wonderful, as well, if costly. But I have spent many hours in the greenhouses at the Estate, shooting pics of flowers: the lighting is diffuse, the flowers are well tended and beautiful and absolutely no wind. Also, if you like waterfalls and/or rock faces, the Cashiers-Highlands area is remarkable: second wettest area in the lower 48, with several rock faces between 600 and 1000 feet high. Some waterfalls go on and on and on, down rocky escarpments.

In Gatlinburg, it is mostly tourist attractions, which extend to Sevierville. But, if one goes over the mountain, in Cherokee, NC are many indian attractions. The central Cherokee town is mostly honky-tonk junk, but Qualla Arts & Crafts has 'real' stuff that is mostly amazing.

So, yes, many places that might be of value and often photographically wonderful. Given the time of the year, most vegetation is not 'out,' so probably looking more at things like Cades Cove or arts and crafts places would be smarter.

chikid68 Loc: Tennesse USA

Thanks for the info on the roads.
I am in middle TN and I have been hesitant about making a potentially wasted trip.
I will probably make a trip sometime late spring or early summer

Meadwilliam

I visited East Tennessee last fall and found several landscape opportunities. The town of Cookeville proved to be a good starting point. It’s a beautiful state.

NatureRocks

Oh, WOW!! If coming this way in the late Spring or early Summer, you might catch the mountains in full bloom -- rhododendrons and mountain laurel; if a good Spring, they can cover the hillsides with white and pink just about everywhere. And, given the extent of rain it is apt to be a very 'bloomy' year. And, although yet a bit further off from Gatlinburg, the Linville Gorge is spectacular -- purportedly the oldest exposed rock on the continent and the flowers are dominant.

In any case, have a great time!

Jim Plogger Loc: East Tennessee

It will be.

Jim Plogger Loc: East Tennessee

Roaring Fork Nature Trail.

Wanda Krack Loc: Tennessee, USA

Roaring fork nature trail............goes out directly from Gatlinburg, is a slow one-way road, with old cabins and much water pic's possible.

Cades Cove for sure........in the state park.

North of I-40 and Knoxville is a museum of sorts that has old log cabins, a barn full of old equipment on display, and an area to walk around that has small gardens and some farm tools and animals, called the Appalachian Museum, Norris Tn. There is a small fee to pay, and an inexpensive eatery on the grounds. This museum has the most old buildings in one smaller area than I have seen. You could spend the day, and it's around 2-hour drive north of Gatlinburg, off of I-75. You might google it. Nearby is an old grist mill. The people there can give you directions.

Robert Ley

Lots of interesting things to shoot in the Smokies in the spring. I think it is the best time of the year because crowds are not crazy and there is plenty of light for waterfalls. I can second Cades Cove and Roaring Forks. Here are a couple of shots

newtoyou Loc: Eastport

Didn't know they gave tours.
This is quite an interesting subject. The Body Farm.
The name coined by Patricia Cornwell.
If named after it's creator, Dr. Wm. Bass, it would be the Bass Anthropologic Research Farm. BARF, for short.
Bill

Basil_O Loc: Minneapolis, MN

Clingman's Dome at sunrise is spectacular. Don't go all the way to the observation deck...too many people and too many trees. Your best unobstructed views are from the parking lot to the Visitor's Center.

(Download)

James56 Loc: Nashville, Tennessee

Take a Helicopter ride and get some really unique aerial views.

DSC01911-01 by James Frazier, on Flickr

DSC01944-01 by James Frazier, on Flickr

rcurrie Loc: Kingsport, TN

Wildflowers are spectacular in April--Porter Creek trail in Greenbrier section; Roaring Fork Motor trail just outside Gatlinburg; Chimney Top picnic area; White Oaks Sinks(requires a 2+ mile hike.) For Mill and old farmstead and Elk try Oconnaluffte (sp?) Village.

wilikioti Loc: Deep South, USA

Several movies on You Tube entitled The Body Farm, Knoxville, TN. WARNING: Not for the squeamish!!