A good motel is Marshall Creek Rest Motel. 865-436-5205
Its about two blocks away from Roaring Fork Loop. Get a local map. There are back roads into the motel. You don't have to get stuck in traffic on the main drag. The motel has great prices and is very nice for the money. The ratings are very high you can look them up on the internet. Its a ma and pa motel but very nice. The only problem is it fills up fast. I make reservations months ahead. I have stayed there two years in a row and am going back this fall. Roaring fork is a great place to take pictures. Very little walking. Old log buildings, great cascading creek shots and a water falls of you want to hike to it. From the motel you can be on the roaring fork loop in about 3 min.
RS

I have been in Gatlinburg many times I love it there.
You must take the Roaring Fork Motor Trail several times.
I know a nice motel just a half mile from the start of that loop at a real good price and good ratings. A really good source of information well worth the price is a newsletter called Photograph America Newsletter. Number 24 ph. 1-415-898-3736. This man does newsletters on photography about places all over the United States. Its a must. All the other places other people have talked about you must do.
While in that area go visit the Titanic in Pigeon Forge.
Good Luck, Dick

Clingman's dome is a nice place too, but if you want to go all the way to the dome it's like a mile walk up hill. It's a concrete path, and it's well worth it. We also like to just drive through the Smokies into Cherokee, NC and stop at the over looks along the way. And you could check out the the Indian reservation in Cherokee while you were there too. Also, many people would disagree, we always stay in Pigeon Forge but we never book a hotel before we get there. You can usually find better rates while driving around. If you're up for listening to a timeshare presentation, there's a few resorts in the area too that will give you money and/or free tickets for shows and Dollywood just for going through the presentation and checking out the property.. Hope you have fun on your trip, May is a great time to go!

Drive Rt 441 from Gatlinburg to Cherokee for overlooks for great sunrise/sunset photos. Morton's Overlook, Newfound Gap, Oconaluftee Overlook and Clingmans Dome (~7 miles) off 441 all provide the opportunity for the "classic Smoky Mountains" photo.

But wherever you go, get in the park early. Traffic tends to get horrible as the day goes on especially in the summer, fall & weekends. Pack a lunch and stay all day.

I live near the park and try to get there 3-4 times a month to hike/shoot. If you plan on hiking let me know and I can recommend trails based on your ability and what you want to shoot.