Step into the Smoky Mountains for a truly wondrous display of life. Great Smoky Mountains National Park, which straddles the borders of North Carolina and Tennessee in the southeastern United States, is renowned for its diversity of plant and animal life, the beauty of its ancient mountains, and the history of its Appalachian mountain culture.

For photographers, Great Smoky Mountains offers an array of opportunity. Abundant wildlife, like Black Bear, elk and an amazing amount of birds and amphibians are here for the taking. Views, vistas and trees seem to take center stage here, though. Great Smoky Mountains National Park is home to over 100 species of tree spread throughout five different forest types including Eastern Hemlock, Mountain Ash and various Maple Trees.

Landscape photographers will relish in views of misty sunrises from grassy balds overlooking a sea of mountains. Ethereal waterfalls under brilliant leaf covered canopies provide for wonderful composition. There is bewilderment in the amazing variety of plant life in the Smokies. It is truly incredible, no matter what time of year one visits. The trees and plants found here are what granite domes and waterfalls are to Yosemite, or what geysers and wildlife to Yellowstone.