erandolph Loc: La Pine, Oregon USA

There is often haze as you look in the distance. Don't miss the Pisgah Inn. Great view from dining room. Lodging on site.

John Howard Loc: SW Florida and Blue Ridge Mountains of NC.

We summer about 2 miles off the BRP near mm 300, which is close to the back side of Grandfather Mountain near Blowing Rock NC. It's a beautifull stretch. 3 bits of advice - don't wait till the end of October as some years the color is short lived. Avoid weekends as it gets really crowded. Make time to take some of the short hikes to get to viewing areas and waterfalls. And 4, google BRP to order books and maps.

JCam Loc: MD Eastern Shore

Back in 1963, the summer after we were married, we took some Military leave time to drive south on the Blue Ridge Parkway. One morning after we visited Luray Caverns the previous afternoon, we got on the Parkway and shortly a thick fog set in, but thinking it should lift soon, kept going. After driving, slowly, for most of the day we go off at an exit for Charleston. All I remember seeing was fog and the hood of the car--couldn't see much further than that or the side of the road.

We have often talked about doing it again, but haven't yet.

Hbuk66 Loc: Oswego, NY

Been there on my Ducati and in my wife's Subaru; drive slowly... there are a lot of people who like to drive in the middle of the road...BEWARE

deer2ker Loc: Nashville, TN

Someone has already mentioned Cades Cove and I second that. The vistas, animals, & plant-life are amazing but I particularly like to shoot the old homesteads, cantilever barns & churches. (black & white photos of these really shine) I can't wait to go back with my new camera after many years. I took a black and white of an old home up there, which is still one of my favorites, when I was a photography student back in the 80's and processing film. I will post it if I find the film but it was pretty cool!

DSmith

Nye Simmons has a couple of books out, one is "Best of the Blue Ridge Parkway" and the other is "Greater Smoky Mts. Photo Guide". Both are really good and tell where the best places are to take photos. The Blue Ridge Parkway book takes you from the beginning in Virginia to the end in N.C. and tells you where to to stop to take the best photos. I got my copies as E-books from Outdoor Photography Guide but I think you can get them thru Amazon.

twowindsbear

Lots & lots of Civil War sites on & near thr BRP. Have a great trip!

MEB540 Loc: New Jersey

The vistas on the BRP are amazing. They are ripe for Panos. If you have a Pano setup I would plan to take it with you. I was there a few years ago and ended up with some of my best Panos, due to the great views.

Picker Loc: Wichita, Kansas

Been through the Smokies alot! Early morning photo shoots are sometimes spectacular given the fog around the mountains. There are more species of trees in all of the U.S. The Parkway offers beautiful color when the Dogwoods and Azaleas bloom in the Spring. Every curve seems to offer breath taking photo ops! Good luck and ENJOY!

Rob Simpson

We wrote and did all of the photography for A Nature Guide to the Blue Ridge Parkway and just out in Jan 2017 A guide to the Wildflowers of the Blue Ridge Parkway with Falcon Press. In both books we list the places to go and not to miss and where/when you can see specific special items. It is a spectacular time to be there. During the morning there is little traffic but it starts pretty heavy about noon with a lot less on week days. You have received good advice from others. Mabry Mill in VA is a great photo opp and Pisgah Lodge in NC is spectacular at that or almost any time of year for photography. If you buy the books through the park visitor or interpretive centers (in person or online) some of the money goes to the national park resources. If you buy them on Amazon or even an Autographed copy from us directly, the park does not get a cut so we encourage people to buy directly from the park association to support your national park. If you have questions please email us AnnRobSimpson@snphotos.com We have written similar books on many of the major national parks to answer questions, give guidance and identifications for Falcon Press - Ann and Rob

SusanFromVermont Loc: Southwest corner of Vermont

I have not been on the BlueRidge Parkway in years, but always loved the sharp turns, beautiful vistas, and the way the mountains looked from above.

Even though there are plenty of overlooks where you can stop, it is a good idea to find out exactly where they are. If one where you want to stop happens to be on a curve, you don't want to go by it!

Anywhere you go in the fall has its crowds of "leaf peepers". Chances are, if you can get up and out before dawn, and get to where you want to take pictures, you will be ahead of a lot of others. Of course, there are always some who are early risers headed to the same place. When I was at Acadia National Park in October it was like that. But that early light is one of the best times which makes it worth it to go early. The idea of trying to be out and about when a lot of people are somewhere else is true at other times of day, too. In bed, at breakfast, at lunch, at dinner - I think a lot of us were born with an alarm clock in our stomachs! A habit that is tough to break...

Have fun!

msicman692

I grew up in Waynesboro, VA, which is where the Blue Ridge Parkway changes to the Skyline Drive. I concur with the others who recommended Mabry's Mill and Clingman's Dome. Peaks of Otter is another scenic spot to get great foliage shots. Monticello is a side trip, but definitely worth it. You will be impressed by the genius of Thomas Jefferson. October is the best time for it, although the exact timing of the peak colors may vary. I promise you will shoot up all the film in your digital camera.

Bird Dawg Loc: Georgia

Spend some time in Floyd, VA. Cool little town. Stayed there twice... trip going N and return trip S.

Cibafan Loc: Virginia

I live near the northern end of the drive, where are you planning to get on the drive?

Bob Boner

Check Nye Simmons ebooks at this location: Outdoor Photography Guide <editor@outdoorphotographyguide.com>. He has ebooks for each of the locations you mentioned.