Nature and Outdoor Photography Locations at Foto Fest

Western North Carolina is blessed with a multitude of photographic opportunities, and few people know them better than Bill Lea and Kevin Adams. In fact, a primary reason for selecting Montreat as a location for Foto Fest is because of all the great photo ops nearby. They knew you would want to come early and stay late to take advantage of at least some of these fabulous opportunities. To help you plan and gain the most from your Foto Fest experience, we've listed a few of the better photo opportunties that are within reasonable driving distance of Montreat. Please contact us for more details about any of these locations. We're happy to help!

Appalachian Medley Scenic Byway

From I-40 west of Asheville, take N.C. 209 north through a pastoral and forested landscape that somehow has escaped the commercial development and second-home craze that other areas of the mountains suffer from. The highway itself has even managed to avoid the bulldozers of the North Carolina Department of Transportation. Except for paving, the road hasn’t changed appreciably since the 1920s. From I-40 it is 33 miles to the small town of Hot Springs. The drive will take you a few hours, though, because you’ll be stopping all along the way to take pictures. Once in Hot Springs, you’ll want to explore the town and the French Broad River that runs through it. (Yes, a river runs through it!) The Appalachian Trail passes through “downtown” on main street. After a short hike on the trail north of town, there is a fine view from Lovers Leap. You can make a loop drive from Asheville by returning via U.S. 25/70.

Asheville

Metropolitan Asheville might not be an ideal photo location for nature photographers, but it has a lot to offer those who like to broaden their views beyond strictly nature. Asheville has perhaps more historic architecture than any city in North Carolina outside Wilmington, including the incomparable Biltmore House and Gardens. The downtown area is vibrant with outdoor cafés, street art, and striking urban scenes. Also downtown is the Thomas Wolfe Memorial, a North Carolina Historic Site. If you do want to mix a little nature with your city shooting, two first-class facilities in Asheville offer good photo opportunities: Western North Carolina Nature Center and North Carolina Arboretum. And of course the Blue Ridge Parkway passes right through Asheville, providing a quick escape once you’ve had your fill of city lights.

Big Creek

This is a great location for classic Smoky Mountain hardwood forests, streams and waterfalls. Huge boulders, deep water holes (Midnight Hole) and waterfalls make ideal photo subjects all along Big Creek. You need to be here on an overcast day and preferably a light rainy/misty day. Take I-40 west to the Tennessee/North Carolina border, exit at #451 (Waterville) and follow the signs to Great Smoky Mountains National Park and Big Creek Picnic Area. Restrooms, picnic area, campground and a parking lot are available. Follow Big Creek Trail to at least Mouse Creek Falls (2 miles) and enjoy the photo opportunities along the way.

Blue Ridge Parkway

Passing through Asheville, the 469-mile Blue Ridge Parkway is the premier outdoor photography destination in the region, offering incredible photo ops from the road itself, as well as providing easy access to other great photo spots. Good views are around every curve, but several spots along the road offer exceptional opportunities within easy driving distance of Asheville. North of the city are Craggy Gardens and Mount Mitchell, mentioned elsewhere on this page. South of Asheville are Mount Pisgah and the Graveyard Fields area. Of course, if you want to drive farther out from the city, there are countless opportunities. The parkway runs for about 80 miles south of Asheville to Great Smoky Mountains National Park and about 390 miles north from the city to Shenandoah National Park in Virginia. Kevin calls it a “469-mile-long photo opportunity”.

Cataloochee Valley

This is a “must-see” location in Great Smoky Mountains National Park and the month of September is a perfect time to visit. Re-introduced elk are in full rut and there is nothing like the call of an elk challenging another bull. Arrive early to see the elk and more importantly to catch the morning fog. Elk, meadows, historic structures and just grand scenes all make for wonderful photo subjects. Catching a glimpse of wild turkeys, whitetail deer and an occasional black bear are real possibilities here. Cataloochee Valley will remind you of a small Cades Cove. Take I-40 west from Asheville to Exit 20. Head south on U.S. 276 for about 0.1 mile and turn right on Cove Creek Mountain Road. Follow the signs along this winding mountain road that turns into the Park road that eventually leads to Cataloochee Valley.

Cradle of Forestry

If you enjoy looking back in time and photographing the past, then the Cradle of Forestry is a place you will want to visit. There are cabins, an old sawmill, a Shay Engine and logging train with loader, schoolhouse and other various structures associated with the first School of Forestry in America. There is also a first-class visitor center here with lots of interesting displays, including a simulated helicopter ride. The Cradle of Forestry is located in the heart of Pisgah National Forest. From Brevard, take U.S. 276 North towards the Blue Ridge Parkway and Waynesville for approximately 14 miles. The entrance to the Cradle will be on the right hand side of the road. Along the way you will pass great forest scenes, streams, and wildflowers. Looking Glass Falls is located beside the road about 5 miles from Brevard, and a mile farther up the road is the trailhead for Moore Cove Falls.

Craggy Gardens

This popular destination along the Blue Ridge Parkway offers a beautiful mix of grass and heath balds, so characteristic of the Southern Appalachian Mountains. Of course, the best time to visit Craggy Gardens is when the Catawba rhododendron are in full bloom (June), but it is always a great place to escape the summer heat while experiencing the beautiful scenery associated with a mountain bald. Take the Blue Ridge Parkway north from Asheville to about milepost 365. There is a small visitor center and restrooms located at Craggy Gardens. The parking area at the visitor is a good location to photograph the sunset, but for the best view you should hike the 0.75-mile trail to the top of Craggy Pinnacle. The summit also makes a great spot to shoot the sunrise.

Forest Heritage Scenic Byway

A fantastic loop drive through Pisgah National Forest begins in Brevard. Follow U.S. 276 north toward the Blue Ridge Parkway, passing by Looking Glass Falls and the Cradle of Forestry. From the parkway at Wagon Road Gap, U.S. 276 descends to N.C. 215, where you will turn left and head south. N.C. 215 passes by Lake Logan and then through the “Yosemite of the East”, the West Fork Pigeon River Gorge, on its way back to the parkway at Beech Gap. From here N.C. 215 descends to U.S. 64, from where you can turn left and head back to Brevard. All along this route you’ll find gorgeous mountain scenery, waterfalls, hiking trails, historic sites, and much more.

Hickory Nut Gorge

Long before Dirty Dancing and Last of the Mohicans splashed across the silver screen, the Hickory Nut Gorge region of North Carolina had been a hit with visitors from all over the world. Its sheer rock cliffs, impressive waterfalls, and idyllic mountain lake make for a great photo location. Within the gorge is Chimney Rock State Park, home to 350-foot Hickory Nut Falls and inspiring views from the top of Chimney Rock. Several scenes from Last of the Mohicans were filmed in the park, including the climactic fight scene between Chingachgook and Magua. Lake Lure, where Baby learned to dance in Dirty Dancing, is just down the road from Chimney Rock. A lakeside park provides great photo opportunities, including a good spot to shoot the sunrise over the lake. Two North Carolina Scenic Byways take you to the gorge from the Asheville/Black Mountain area. From Asheville, the Drovers Road Scenic Byway follows U.S. 74 along a pastoral route before climbing through Hickory Nut Gap and descending to the gorge. From Black Mountain, take N.C. 9 along the Black Mountain Rag Scenic Byway, which also passes by pastoral mountain scenery on its way to the gorge.

Mount Mitchell State Park

If you follow the Blue Ridge Parkway north from Asheville to about milepost 355 (10 miles north of Craggy Gardens), you’ll come to the entrance to Mount Mitchell State Park, home to the highest mountain in the eastern United States. The new observation tower on Mitchell’s summit provides great 360-degree views. In September, the mountain will be ablaze in fall wildflowers—asters, goldenrods, thistles, gentians, and others. Hiking trails abound, giving access into the Fraser fir and Fraser fir-red spruce forests that dominate at this high elevation. While most of the mature trees have succumbed to acid rain and an introduced pest, young trees are growing back, providing a glimpse of what these dark and mysterious forests once looked like.

Zebulon B. Vance Birthplace

Tucked into Reems Creek Valley northeast of Asheville, Zebulon B. Vance Birthplace State Historic Site honors the former Civil War officer, North Carolina Governor, and U.S. Senator. The site features a reconstructed log house and farmstead that offer great photo opportunities. The farmstead is located at 911 Reems Creek Road in Weaverville. From Asheville, take I-26 north and look for the signs to the historic site. Just before you reach the site, Ox Creek Road turns to the right and leads to the Blue Ridge Parkway at Ox Gap, a few miles south of Craggy Gardens. This provides a good option for making a loop drive.