Best Photos of Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Author:: Staff
Publish date:: Oct 10, 2019

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
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

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
Patricia Giraldo

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

Night Stars

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

An elk eating apples off the tree in Cataloochee Valley. Photo by Greg Gilbert via Flickr

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

Featured

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

A young elk buck peeks out from the forest on the edge of Cataloochee Valley in Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

Wildlife

There are many types of animals in the Great Smoky Mountains, but dense forests can make them difficult to spot. Here’s a guide to better your chances.

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.

Map of location of Great Smoky Mountains National Park in North America

FAQs

Great Smoky is in the eastern part of the United States on the Tennessee-North Carolina border. Gatlinburg, TN is the most popular gateway town.

Illustrated Guide to Great Smoky Mountains National Park

News

Packed with engaging trivia, historical photos and maps, former ranger quotes, and 40 original hand-illustrated poster designs and paintings.

LeConte Lodge on Mt. Le Conte in Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

Where To Stay

LeConte Lodge is the only lodging in the park and is accessible only by hiking a 5-mile trail. A reservation lottery happens in fall.

West entrance sign for Great Smoky Mountains National Park on of Lakeview Drive near Fontana Dam. Photo by Washuotaku [CC BY-SA 4.0], via Wikimedia Commons

FAQs

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

Featured

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!

Best Photos of Great Smoky Mountains National Park

As the Sun Rises

Afternoon Adventure

Sunset Moments

Night Stars

48 Hours in Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Smoky Mountain Visitor Photo Gallery

Where Can I See Wildlife in Great Smoky Mountains National Park?

5 Romantic Things to Do in Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Where is Great Smoky Mountains National Park?

New Illustrated Book about Great Smoky Mountains National Park

LeConte Lodge inside Great Smoky Mountains National Park

How Much Does Great Smoky Mountain Park Cost?

2019 National Park Photo Contest presented by Tamron