Rocky Top Sports World – Photo Ops
Gatlinburg, Tennessee, is a major tourist destination because it borders the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. With views as breathtaking as those mountains, it’s no surprise that Gatlinburg welcomes nearly 11 million visitors annually. And you can bet most of those tourists are taking pictures of the beautiful mountainous landscape!
The good news is that when you visit the Rocky Top Sports World, you are right up against the Great Smoky Mountains National Park so you can get some great photos too. In fact, you’ll be able to see amazing views right from the venue, but why stop there? You’re in a great location to experience both the wilderness and the city. Both offer perfect locations for photography. Get ready to take pictures to remember your trip and show some off on Instagram. Below are some of the most Instagrammable spots in Gatlinburg.
Clingmans Dome
This first destination is a bit far, but some of the most iconic photos of the mountains come from this location. Clingmans Dome is roughly an hour drive from Rocky Top Sports World. At 6,643 feet high, it is a sight that is truly unforgettable.
When you arrive at the Clingmans Dome Visitor Center, you will have to hike to the dome itself. The hike up to the dome is a half mile on a paved trail, but it is almost entirely uphill. If you’re not an avid hiker, you’ll definitely want to pace yourself. There are plenty of benches and areas to rest along the way, however.
Once you reach the top of the observation tower, you’ll have a 360-degree view of the mountains for up to 100 miles in every direction. This is arguably one of the best spots in the area for landscape photography.
The Sinks
The next three stops are all waterfalls, each with unique aspects. The Sinks is the farthest from Rocky Top Sports World. Getting to The Sinks requires a 42-minute drive down Little River Road. Driving down this road through the Smokies won’t be bad though thanks to the gorgeous landscapes along the way.
During peak seasons, the parking lot nearby can fill up quickly, so you may end up needing to park elsewhere and take a walk over. This is a rather short waterfall, but it has a powerful cascade as it is the culmination of Little River.
Laurel Falls
Similar to The Sinks, Laurel Falls is a popular hiking destination. This can cause parking to be an issue in the high season, so visit this site either early in the morning or later in the evening. These will be the best times to get photographs because not only will it be less crowded, but the lighting will be optimal as well. To reach this waterfall, it is a 24-minute drive from Rocky Top Sports World.
When you park, you have to take a short hike to reach the 80-foot waterfall. The trail is two and a half miles long, and it takes roughly two hours to hike to and from Laurel Falls. While the trail is paved, years of erosion has caused it to break apart and become uneven in certain areas so watch your step! As for difficulty, it is considered a moderately difficult hike with some steep sections.
Keep in mind that bears do inhabit the surrounding area. It is possible that you could see a black bear. National Park Services ask that you do not litter or throw food, such as apple cores, on the trail because this will attract bears and make them associate humans with food. If you do by chance see a bear, do not approach or try to feed it.
Cataract Falls
Cataract Falls is one of the lesser visited waterfalls, so it is a great spot to get away from the crowds. Out of the three waterfalls, this is the closest to Rocky Top Sports World at about seven and a half miles away.
The trail to reach the waterfall is to the left of the visitor center. It starts off paved and then turns into gravel. In total, this trail is only three-quarters of a mile round trip, so it is a great hike for beginners or those with younger children. After the short walk, you will find the 25-foot-tall Cataract Falls. This particular waterfall is more impressive after a period of rain because the stream will be stronger. If you are visiting on at a dryer time, there may be little to no water flow.
Alum Cave Bluffs
Pictures don’t do the Alum Cave Bluffs justice, and there’s a lot to see on the trail. This trek could be a few hours or close to a half day depending on how much of the trail you want to hike. It’s home to some of the most stunning views the Great Smokies have to offer. If you are limited on time and want to pick a spot to hike, this is the place you should choose. It is a 35-minute drive to reach the trailhead from Rocky Top Sports World.
The entire trail is 11 miles and could take anywhere from seven to 10 hours to complete. Many tourists will hike up to the Alum Cave Bluffs and then turn back. Doing so will have you pass the Alum Cave Stream, Arch Rock, and Inspiration Point. Arch Rock is a prominent landmark consisting of black slate. The highly photographed Inspiration Point is at an elevation of 4,700 feet. Panoramic views of the mountain can be found there. The concave overhang of Alum Cave Bluff is beyond Inspiration Point, and it is the main spot to rest or turnaround.
If you choose to go further, you will eventually reach Mount LeConte Peak. This area is the steepest, so take your time. LeConte Lodge is located along the way. This is a guest lodge that serves both day hikers and those planning to stay overnight. As a day hiker, you can stop in to rest and get a sack lunch. The sack lunch contains a bagel, cream cheese packet, beef summer sausage, fruit leather, trail mix, cookies, and Gatorade drink packet. You can also buy a souvenir to remember your trek at the Lodge Gift Shop.
Gatlinburg SkyLift Park
Perhaps you want to get Insta-worthy pictures of the mountains without the hike. No problem! Head on over the Gatlinburg SkyLift Park to obtain some of the best views of the Smokies. This destination is only five miles from the Rocky Top Sports World.
When you arrive, you’ll start your adventure by boarding the SkyLift. The SkyLift takes visitors up 500 feet to the top of Crockett Mountain and drops guests off on the SkyDeck. At this point, you’ll get panoramic views of the mountain tops. This area has seating so you can hang out for a while and really take in the scenic views.
The entrance to the newly opened SkyBridge is found on the SkyDeck. It is the longest pedestrian suspension bridge in North America, spanning 680 feet across the valley. At the midpoint, you are 140 feet above the valley and can view the treetops below through the glass floor. Make sure to take all the photos you can at this awe-inspiring stop.
Gatlinburg Space Needle
In the same vicinity as the Gatlinburg SkyLift Park and five miles from Rocky Top Sports World, tourists can find the Gatlinburg Space Needle. Originally opened in 1969, this iconic observation tower gives you a chance to get a 360-degree view of the mountains and the city of Gatlinburg.
Take pictures of the needle itself and the view from the top as you ascend 400 feet high. While you’re up there, there is a ton of information about the Smokies and the city from the Higher Learning exhibits. This attraction is open all year long, so don’t miss out.
Ole Smoky Moonshine Holler
Ole Smoky Moonshine Holler, Ole Smoky Holler, or simply The Holler; whatever you call it, this should be a must-stop on your list for some quirky pictures. This moonshine distillery features a bar, concert stage, and gift shop. You can tour the distillery, shop, drink moonshine samples, and listen to live music. The setting is distinctly Southern, with rustic barn decor and smells of fermenting grains. Take a 15-minute drive from Rocky Top Sports World to get to Ole Smoky Moonshine Holler.
If you are near Pigeon Forge, which is another top spot for pictures, Ole Smoky Moonshine opened another location in that area called The Barn. The Barn is about 25 minutes away from Rocky Top Sports World. This building has a more modern feel with glass walls while still mimicking some of The Holler’s barn-like elements. Additionally, this venue is smaller, which makes the on-site still and tasting area to be more intimate. It does, however, still have an outdoor stage for live music performances.
The Island in Pigeon Forge
Old Smoky Barn is located in The Island in Pigeon Forge, and there’s plenty of photo ops to be found in this location. The Island in Pigeon Forge an excellent place to go on rides, dine, listen to music, and dance any time of day. However, the nighttime lights make for Insta-worthy shots. So if you’ve already made the 25-minute drive from Rocky Top Sports World to see The Barn, you might as well snag some other pictures at The Island.
The Island Show Fountain can make for a really cool snapshot. It features over 80 vertical nozzles that put on a water show as they dance and light up to music. The choreographed water dance lasts 14 minutes and runs every half hour. This is attraction is mesmerizing at night because you get the full effect of the picturesque colorful lights. You can even angle the picture in a way that allows you to capture the water show with the vibrantly lit Great-Smoky Mountain Wheel in the background.
Speaking of the Great-Smoky Mountain Wheel, you should also capture an image of this 200-foot-tall Ferris wheel up close. The wheel is situated in front of the Great Smoky Mountain National Park. Going on the Ferris wheel will give you beautiful views of the mountains from the all-glass gondolas.
In addition to The Barn, another dining spot you should stop by to take some pictures at is Margaritaville. This restaurant’s decor transports guests to a laid-back, tropical island. While you’re there, take a selfie with a signature cocktail in the unique dining area. Afterward, venture to the outdoor dining space that overlooks the Little Pigeon River for relaxing views and photo ops.
The Old Mill
Just a few minutes down the street from The Island and about 10 miles from Rocky Top Sports World is The Old Mill. This is one of the oldest continually operating grist mills in the United States. The area along Little Pigeon River where The Old Mill is located has quite a few photo ops.
The Old Mill General Store is one of the most photographed mills in America. It welcomes millions of visitors every year. Before entering the building, get a picture from across Little Pigeon River. You can capture a beautiful shot of the watermill next to the flowing river. As you approach the building, you can see the original door that is covered with tacks and nail heads. This is where notices of births, deaths, and weddings were posted. Inside you can buy freshly ground cornmeal and grits, flours, pancake mixes, homemade jams and jellies, and more.
Next to the general store is the Old Forge Distillery. In this building, you can get close up photographs of the copper pot stills that are used to heat alcohol. The gift store also has very creative displays that could make for a nice shot. During the holidays, the building is decorated with holiday lights, making for a quaint snapshot.
If it’s hot outside, you’ll probably want to stop at The Old Mill Creamery. While the building isn’t as unique as The Old Mill General Store, you could still take a photo of your perfectly scooped ice cream cone in front of their charming sign.
CLIMB Works
Away from the hustle and bustle of the city and a 12-minute drive from Rocky Top Sports World, you can go on thrilling tours at CLIMB Works. You can partake in three different exciting activities in the midst of the Smokies. This includes zip lining and biking. So how can you capture this experience as you zoom through the forest? Well, as long as you have a camera that straps to your body in some fashion, you can capture every exhilarating moment with pictures and videos.
There are two different zip line tours available. First is the Mountaintop Zipline Tour. During this tour, you will shoot down five zip lines above the treetops. Over the two hours it takes to complete this tour, you will get to walk along four sky bridges. In the second option, the Treetop Zipline Tour, you will ride down nine zip lines through the trees and walk on three sky bridges.
The third option is Mountain E-Biking. An E-Bike is a full-suspension mountain bike with electric pedal assist. This makes it easier for you to go uphill. CLIMB Works provides guests with an E-Bike to use on their world-class flow trail. Guests begin with a guided first loop and are then able to take on the flow trail, which is a third uphill, a second third smooth, and a final third downhill. The trail takes guests through the woods and over several wooden bridges.
No matter which option you choose, make sure you bring a camera that can strap to your body, such as a GoPro, to get action-packed videos and photos of your experience at CLIMB Works.