Great Smoky Mountains National Park is a pristine and diverse wonderland that stretches across the border between North Carolina and Tennessee. These mountains are one of the best locations in the Easters U.S. for both landscape and wildlife photography. Among many things, the Smokies are known for their lush forests, stunning waterfalls, vibrant wildflowers, and diverse wildlife. Of course, this park is worth visiting any time of year, but spring is a particularly special season to capture the park's beauty through photography. Here are four reasons to photograph the Great Smoky Mountains in spring.
Vibrant Wildflowers
One of the most iconic and stunning features of the Great Smoky Mountains is the abundance and diversity of wildflowers. In the spring, these wildflowers come to life, creating a vibrant tapestry of colors throughout the park, which boasts over 1,500 different species of flowering plants, making it one of the most biodiverse areas in the United States.
From delicate trilliums to colorful azaleas, the wildflowers of the Great Smoky Mountains offer a stunning array of colors and shapes that make for breathtaking photographs. Some of the best places to capture wildflowers in the park include Cades Cove, Cataloochee Valley, and Roaring Fork. If you’re looking to capture landscape photographs portraying rich colors and fields of flowers as well as evergreen mountains and maybe even some wildlife subjects, then this is the place!
Ethereal Waterfalls
Spring is also an excellent time to photograph the many waterfalls and streams that flow through the Great Smoky Mountains. The annual spring rains bring the streams to life, creating beautiful cascades and rapids that are perfect for long exposure shots. Some of the most popular waterfalls to photograph in the park include Laurel Falls, Rainbow Falls, and Abrams Falls but you really can’t go wrong no matter where you choose to set up your tripod.
You can also capture stunning wide-angle shots of streams and creeks that wind their way through the valleys, creating a tranquil and serene atmosphere. If you want to practice your skills in photographing water as it rushes through immaculate landscapes and lush forests, then this is the perfect opportunity!
Active Wildlife
There is an abundant diversity of wildlife that call the Great Smoky Mountains home and, of course, all of these incredible species become much more active in the spring.
From black bears to white-tailed deer to the 200-plus species of native birds, the park is teeming with life. In addition, there is also ample opportunity to practice your macro photography and capture very small animals such as snails and salamanders.
Although never a guarantee, we routinely see black bears and cubs on our spring departures to the Smokys.
Of course, it's important to be respectful and keep your distance as you capture stunning shots of these animals in their natural habitats. Springtime in the Great Smoky Mountains creates one of the best wildlife photography opportunities anywhere in the Eastern U.S.
Ideal Weather
Spring in the Smoky Mountains can be unpredictable, but it often brings beautiful weather with mild temperatures and sunny skies. The constantly changing weather can produce a range of conditions, from sunny days to misty mornings and moody skies creating an ethereal and magical atmosphere for photography.
The changing conditions often accent stunning landscapes, providing endless opportunities for photographers to capture unique images. And, this relatively warmer weather makes it a comfortable and enjoyable time to be outdoors as you travel throughout these mountains.
If you want a nice variety of landscape and wildlife photos with constantly changing backgrounds and lighting conditions then there’s no better time to visit the Great Smoky Mountains than in spring!
Spring in the Great Smoky Mountains with BCJAt Backcountry Journeys we offer an exceptional photography tour visiting these stunning mountains in the springtime. From capturing wildlife, landscapes, and even practicing macro photography, this is a great opportunity for photographers of every level to capture the essence of this unique place on planet earth.
Our Spring in the Great Smoky Mountains trip is one of our favorites and we still have a few available spots on the upcoming hiker trip this April. Please reach out if you have any questions about this trip and we hope to see you out there sometime soon!