Best Photos of Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Author:: Staff
Publish date:: Nov 4, 2020

Each year we ask national park travelers to enter their best photos in our annual photo contest. Here are some of the best shots we've received that were taken in Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

As the Sun Rises

Misty Morning at Cades Cove in Great Smoky Mountain National Park — Misty Morning at Cades Cove
Jonathan Hill

Cades Cove sunrise while deer graze in Great Smoky Mountains National Park — The sun rises over grazing deer in Cades Cove
Patrick Morgan

Black bear up a tree in Great Smoky Mountains National Park — Black bear up a tree
Pasquale Mingarelli

Misty mountain sunrise in Great Smoky Mountains National Park — Misty mountain sunrise
Nelson Rudiak

Watching the sunrise from Charlie's Bunion in Great Smoky Mountains National Park — Watching the sunrise from Charlie's Bunion
Anthony Toribio

Sunrise from Purchase Knob in Great Smoky Mountains National Park — Sunrise from Purchase Knob
Patricia Cox

Afternoon Adventure

Autumn glow on a Smoky Mountain stream — Autumn glow on a Smoky Mountain stream
Jose Torres

Millipedes on Gabes Mountain Trail in Great Smoky Mountains National Park — Millipedes on Gabes Mountain Trail
Paul Garland

Children playing while hiking a misty Forney Ridge Trail on Andrew Bald in Great Smoky Mountains National Park — Children playing while hiking a misty Forney Ridge Trail on Andrew Bald
Lauren Kennedy

Smoky Mountain cascades — Smoky Mountain cascades
Tony Wayman

Black bear nursing her cubs in Great Smoky Mountain National Park — Black bear nursing her cubs
Robert Strickland

Fishing under a canopy of autumn trees in Great Smoky Mountains National Park — Fishing under a canopy of autumn trees
Matt Waggoner

Henry Whitehead Place in autumn, Cades Cove at Great Smoky Mountains National Park — Henry Whitehead Place in autumn
Lane Rohling

Sunset Moments

Watching the sun set on Clingmans Dome in Great Smoky Mountains National Park — Watching the sun set from Clingmans Dome
Mary Blair

Scenic Smoky Mountain drive at sunset in autumn — Scenic Smoky Mountain drive at sunset in autumn
Patricia Giraldo

Red sunset in Cades Cove — Red sunset in Cades Cove
Norman Lathrop

Sunset after the rain in Great Smoky Mountains National Park — Sunset after the rain
Courtney Westlake

Night Stars

The night stars over Clingmans Dome, Great Smoky Mountains National Park — The night stars over Clingmans Dome
Paul Hoying

The Milky Way near Clingmans Dome in Great Smoky Mountains National Park — The Milky Way near Clingmans Dome
Tyler Johns

Bull elk grazing near the Palmer Chapel in Cataloochee Valley in Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Park Itineraries

It’s our nation’s busiest park, so here are tips on how to see the best of Great Smoky in just two days. Make the most of your time by visiting some of our favorite spots in both the Tenn. and N.C. sides of the park.

Beside Big Creek Trail in Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Here are some great photos found taken by visitors to Great Smoky Mountains National Park and the surrounding areas.

Photographer in the mountains in autumn

Love to take photos in national parks? Whether it’s a landscape, a wildlife pic, or a Milky Way shot, send it our way. You could win a Tamron camera lens!

Tamron photographer Andre Costantini helping a workshop participant at Great Sand Dunes National Park

National Park Trips Media and Tamron have teamed up to offer Photo Workshops inside your favorite national parks.

West entrance sign for Great Smoky Mountains National Park on of Lakeview Drive near Fontana Dam.

Skip the entrance fee for this national park - it's free to enter! Campsites, lodging, and some tours still have a fee.

A momma bear and her cub stop traffic in Cades Cove in Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Don't pose too close to wildlife, in waterfalls, rivers and streams, or off the trail. Ouch! Here are suggestions on how to take pain-free photos.

Log cabin in the mountains.

Park Itineraries

The park is a fantastic place to spend a romantic weekend, celebrate Valentine’s Day or an anniversary, or to just spend time together.

Bike riding on the Cades Cove Loop in Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

Outdoor Recreation

Bring your bicycle and mountain bike to the national park. Here's were you can ride.

Entrance sign to Great Smoky Mountains National Park at Gatlinburg

Places Inside the Park

The majority of visitors enter through the Sugarlands entrance on the park’s north side by driving through Gatlinburg, Tennessee.