Discover Haywood
22 carefully curated photography spots with GPS coordinates, shooting tips, and local insights
Cataloochee Valley - Elk Watching
Cataloochee Valley is a prime elk‑watching and landscape spot in the Great Smoky Mountains—photograph bull elk, cows and calves framed by rolling pastures, barns and ridge lines. Best at dawn/dusk (elk active, warm light); peak rut in Sept–Oct. Easy pullouts and small parking areas along the valley road; seasonal road conditions and parking limits apply. No entry fee (part of the national park). Respect distance rules—animals are wild. Fall colors add drama; winter offers stark monochrome scenes
Blue Ridge Parkway Pisgah Access
Scenic Blue Ridge Parkway Pisgah access offers elevated mountain vistas, hardwood forests, and nearby streams — excellent for sweeping landscape panoramas, fall foliage, misty mornings and long-exposure waterscape images. No entry fee; park at designated pullouts along Cruso Rd. Best at sunrise or sunset for warm side-light and low crowds; fall (Oct–Nov) for colors and spring for fresh greens and waterfalls. Weather changes fast—pack layers and waterproof protection. Some viewpoints are roadside
Cataloochee Valley
Cataloochee Valley (Great Smoky Mountains) offers broad meadows, historic 19th‑century log cabins, Cataloochee Creek and seasonal elk herds framed by forested ridges. Best at dawn/dusk for golden hour and elk activity, foggy mornings for mood, and October for fall color. Accessible via a paved but narrow park road with pullouts and a small visitor parking area; park entry is free. Weekday mornings have fewer visitors; winter/early spring can have snow or ice—drive carefully.
Fryingpan Mountain Lookout Tower
A restored fire lookout near the Pisgah National Forest crest offering sweeping 360° views of the Blue Ridge: layered ridgelines, valley fog, and dramatic sunrises/sunsets. Short drive and moderate unpaved approach — parking at a small lot; check Forest Service for seasonal closures and tower access. Best at golden hour and after dark for Milky Way; expect wind, rapid weather changes and limited facilities.
Beartrap Gap Overlook
Roadside overlook on the Blue Ridge Parkway offering layered mountain ridgelines, valley views and seasonal color — ideal for wide vistas, fog-filled mornings and sunset silhouettes. Easy pull-off parking; short level walk from the lot. No fee. Best at sunrise/golden hour or during fall foliage; after-rain mornings often produce low clouds or mist. Weekdays and early mornings reduce crowds; limited space in peak season.
Cataloochee Valley Overlook
Overlooks Cataloochee Valley in Great Smoky Mountains — wide meadows, historic log cabins, grazing elk and layered ridgelines that produce dramatic fog and golden light. Best at sunrise for low-angle light and valley mist, and in fall for peak color. Accessible by Cataloochee Entrance Rd; limited roadside parking at the pullout. No park entry fee but check seasonal road closures and wildlife-viewing etiquette. Weekday mornings offer fewer visitors.
Pinnacle Ridge Tunnel
Pinnacle Ridge Tunnel on the Blue Ridge Parkway offers a photogenic roadway cutting through forested ridgelines — great for moody fog, autumn color, and dramatic leading lines. Accessible by car with small pull‑off parking; no entry fee. Best at sunrise or golden hour for warm side lighting, or pre/dusk for long exposures of traffic. Weekdays and shoulder seasons reduce crowds; foggy mornings and late‑fall produce the most atmosphere.
Maggie Valley
Maggie Valley is a mountain gateway with sweeping Blue Ridge Parkway views, fog-filled valleys, seasonal fall colors, Soco Falls cascades and rustic town scenes. Accessible by car with free roadside pullouts and local parking; best at sunrise/sunset and during October for foliage. Weather changes quickly—dress warm and plan for lower light in fog.
Sunburst Falls
Sunburst Falls is a small, photogenic waterfall set in mixed hardwood forest near Canton, NC. Photograph flowing water, mossy rocks, and fall color; best after light rain when flow is steady. Visit early morning or late afternoon for soft side light and fewer visitors. Trail is short but uneven; bring waterproof shoes. Limited roadside parking; no entry fee. Winter offers icicle details; autumn yields peak color.
Big East Fork Pisgah
Small cascading stream and woodland in Pisgah National Forest—shoot moss-covered boulders, layered cascades, and intimate forest scenes. Best after spring rains for strong flow or in fall for color. Access via Cruso Rd with short to moderate trails; parking at roadside pullouts or small trailhead lots. No fee for forest access. Expect uneven, wet terrain and bugs; wear waterproof boots. Low light under canopy favors golden hour or overcast for even exposure.
Rhododendron Garden
Small mountain rhododendron garden offering dense spring blooms against wooded slopes and distant Blue Ridge ridgelines. Best visited late April–early June for peak flowers; golden hour and overcast days bring richer color and softer shadows. Easily reached by car (Freedlander Dr); informal parking nearby and generally free access. Paths are short but can be uneven—good for handheld and macro work. Weekday mornings are least crowded.
Inspiration Point
Inspiration Point overlooks Lake Junaluska with mirror-like water, framed mountains and manicured shoreline — ideal for reflections, fall color and calm sunrise/sunset compositions. Accessible paved paths and nearby parking at the Lake Junaluska campus; no entry fee but respect the Methodist retreat grounds. Best at golden hour and early mornings for glassy water and fog; weekdays are quieter. Winter can produce dramatic low fog and muted tones.
Buck Spring Tunnel
Buck Spring Tunnel is an ivy-clad, short railroad tunnel framed by mossy stone and forest — ideal for dramatic leading-line shots, high-contrast silhouettes, and textured close-ups of stone and rusted rail artifacts. Visit at golden hour or dawn for soft side light and to catch mist in the mouth; after rain for saturated greens and puddle reflections. Access requires a short walk from roadside parking; wear waterproof shoes and bring a flashlight for safe interior shots. No formal entry fees; be
Junaluska Dam Park
Small dam and park on Lake Junaluska offering reflective water, shoreline trees, walking paths and a low concrete spillway — strong for intimate waterscape and seasonal-color shots. Best at golden hour (sunrise and sunset) for warm light and reflections; autumn brings vivid foliage. Easy access with roadside parking and paved paths; no entry fee. Weekday mornings are quieter. Paths and viewpoints are wheelchair-accessible in sections; expect occasional visitors from the lakeside community.
Dahlia Garden
Small community dahlia garden with dense beds of colorful, sculptural blooms—ideal for close-ups, pattern shots and seasonal field views. Peak bloom is late summer to early fall (Aug–Oct). Visit morning or late afternoon for soft directional light; overcast days enhance saturated colors. Garden is accessible from Freedlander Dr with modest parking; likely free or donation entry—confirm locally. Respect beds and local rules; expect pollinators and intimate compositions rather than wide panoramas.
Shining Creek Path Trail Head
Shining Creek Path Trail Head is a gateway to mossy creek scenes, dense hardwood forest and seasonal wildflowers—ideal for intimate creek compositions, long-exposure waterfalls and close canopy shots. Best at sunrise or after rain for saturated greens and mist; fall brings color. Small USFS parking at the trailhead, no permit typically required. Trails narrow; expect limited cell signal—pack water and a tripod.
Rose Walk
A short, well-kept rose garden along Lake Junaluska’s shoreline offering close-up floral shots, lake reflections, and distant Appalachian ridge lines. Best at dawn or golden hour for warm side/backlight and calm reflections; overcast days enhance color saturation for macros. Easy access from N Lakeshore Dr with nearby public parking and paved paths; quiet retreat community—respect private/quiet spaces. Blooms peak late spring through summer.
Waynesville Greenway Park
Small riverside greenway with wooded trails, boardwalks, and stone bridges framed by the Smoky Mountains. Great for intimate nature scenes, flowing water long exposures, seasonal color in fall and soft morning light. Easy access from Waynesville with free parking nearby; no entry fees. Best at sunrise or golden hour on weekdays to avoid walkers; accessible paths and short hikes to varied perspectives.
Valley Gardens Inc.
A compact botanical/nursery spot near Maggie Valley with curated plantings, seasonal blooms and mountain views — good for close-up florals, textured garden scenes and framing the Blue Ridge ridgeline. Best light: golden hour or overcast for even florals. Visit spring–fall for blooms; fall for foliage. Parking available on Aston Rd; paths are small and partly uneven—confirm hours/entry ahead. Less crowded on weekday mornings.
Windsor Sanctuary
Windsor Sanctuary offers intimate garden plantings, vintage sanctuary buildings and woodland edges with mountain views — good for close-up nature, resident birds and seasonal wildflowers. Best light is early morning or late afternoon; spring and fall give richest colors. Small on-site parking; check hours or call ahead for guided-access areas. Paths are mostly walkable but bring insect repellent and expect uneven ground.
Rotary Peace Pole
A small civic monument — the Rotary Peace Pole — offering a simple, symbolic subject framed by town greenery and seasonal foliage. Best at golden hour or soft overcast light to bring out inscriptions and textures. Easy roadside access and free parking on Freedlander Dr; no entry fees. Weekday mornings are quiet. Compact site — combine with Clyde town shots for context.
Bigfoot Statue
A kitschy roadside Bigfoot statue on Cove Creek Rd — great for character shots, scale comparisons, and playful travel portraits. Easy roadside access with informal pull-off parking; no entry fee. Best visited at golden hour or overcast days for moody light. Weekday mornings are quieter; watch traffic on the highway shoulder.