Location Guide for Kyle and Jackie's
Engagement Session in the Smokies
I loved reading all of your answers! Based on your answers to the questionnaire, here is a list of beautiful locations for your engagement session. Check out your options below!
here are my top recommendations for your engagement session starting with the most recommended:
Foothills Parkway
About 50 minutes from Gatlinburg along a beautiful scenic mountain road
Tucked away along the Foothills Parkway near Townsend, there’s a few stunning overlooks that offer sweeping views of the Tennessee Valley. Facing west, it’s the perfect front-row seat to a golden-hour show, with the sun slowly sinking behind the distant Cumberland Plateau. The dramatic light, rolling mountain ridges, and endless skies make this spot an absolute dream for an engagement session—think epic silhouettes, warm glows, and a backdrop that feels straight out of a love story. We can stop at a few different overlooks and there are a few spots along the road that are really neat and capture the vastness of the Smokies! Here, we will be above the valley looking out to the mountains and will experience less crowds!
Cades Cove*
About 1 hour from Gatlinburg
Cades Cove is pure magic at sunset, making it an incredible spot for an engagement session. As the sun dips behind the rolling mountains, the entire valley glows with warm golden light, casting long, dreamy shadows over the open fields. The mix of lush meadows, rustic barns, and winding roads creates endless opportunities for stunning, romantic portraits. Wildlife often roams in the evenings, adding to the natural beauty and peaceful atmosphere. Here you will be in the valley, completely surrounded by the mountains! In May, we should have some wildflowers in bloom but with that comes a steady stream of cars also making their way around the loop, especially on a Saturday, so be prepared for some crowds.
*Cades Cove is an 11 mile loop road with multiple locations for photos. Because of its unique location, large crowds, and no way to skip the loop, Cades Cove will be an additional $100.
Gatlinburg Trail/Bypass Overlook
About 5 Minutes from Gatlinburg
The Gatlinburg Trail is a scenic two-mile path that winds along the river, offering a peaceful and picturesque setting. As the only dog-friendly trail on the Gatlinburg side of the national park, it’s perfect for you if you do end up bringing your pup, Minnie, along for the adventure. The trail follows the river the entire way, creating a dreamy, wooded backdrop. Plus, it’s close enough to a stunning overlook that I consider it part of the same location—so you get both intimate riverside moments and vast mountain views, making it an incredible spot for an engagement session. The overlook does not face west, so the sunset will not be as dramatic as other spots, but there will still be a beautiful alpine glow on the mountains behind you. This spot is a bit more popular, so expect a crowd at the overlook and quite a few people walking along the trail.
Kuwohi (formerly Clingman's Dome)
About 45 Minutes from Gatlinburg plus a short but steep hike
Kuwohi stands as the highest peak in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, making it an unbeatable spot for both sunrise and sunset views. After parking, we will have to hike a short but steep half-mile paved trail which leads to the observation tower, where you’ll be greeted with a jaw-dropping 360-degree view of the mountains bathed in golden light weather permitting, of course. I have made it to the top for a complete cloud soup. For a more adventurous engagement session, the panoramic vistas, dreamy lighting, and sense of being on top of the world create a stunning, unforgettable backdrop. This is a very popular spot, so there will likely be large crowds here.
