Our Secret Guide to the Prettiest Places in Western North Carolina
Welcome to our list of the most photogenic spots in Western North Carolina! We have put this guide together to help you find the perfect place to capture your love for each other. Each location will have a description of its location, difficulty of reaching it, and its accessibility throughout the year.
Happy scouting!
Mountain Views
Black Balsam Knob
This breathtaking lcoation offers 360 degree views of mountains, and the further you hike the more beautiful it gets! It also has a very photogenic and private forest at the beginning of the trailhead, and restrooms about 3 miles down the road.
Location - Blue Ridge Parkway, mm 420
Difficulty - moderate. 15 min hike, steady incline
Accessibility - closed in inclement weather / icy roads (check BRP website)
Waterrock Knob
The perfect hike for those staying in the Cherokee / Maggie Valley area. This hike is absolutely gorgeous with a short walk to the rock wall, but if you’re up for a little more adventure, the views at the top are “top notch”.
Location - Maggie Valley, NC
Difficulty - Moderate. Some steep areas will get the blood pumping
Accessibility - occasional winter closures. check BRP website
Max Patch
You can't go wrong with Max Patch, overlooking NC & TN mountains in every direction possible. The parking lot is small here, so carpooling is recommended. 360 degrees of mountains surround you once you are at the top. Super cute drift wood fence also at the top!
Location - Hot Springs NC
Difficulty - moderate. 15 min hike, steady incline.
Accessibility - open year round, road is gravel and subject to potholes
Sams Knob
This open valley surrounded by mountains is a fan favorite, especially if your furry companions will be joining you! A lot less populated of a trail than Black Balsam, Sam’s Knob is a great place to run around and be free. The forest at the beginning of this trail is also very unique. There is bathroom access in the parking lot.
Location - Waynesville, NC
Difficulty - moderate, gravel path
Accessibility -closed in inclement weather / icy roads (check BRP website)
Mountaintop at The Parker Mill
A privately owned property with a little adventure- with this spot you will be taken up on an ATV and will be guaranteed to have the place to yourself. With breathtaking mountain views, and a beautiful platform, this place has both elegance and natural beauty on its side.
Location - Whittier, NC
Difficulty - the easiest
Accessibility - open year round, most week days. Must check with their calendar. Fee applies
Sylva Park
A "hidden gem" just a mile down the road from downtown Sylva, is the perfect place for a short walk to a river and a loop trail by the Appalachian women’s history museum. Most people dont take the time to walk down the trail and miss out on a fun view of the Dillsboro rock quarry.
Location -Between Sylva and Dillsboro
Difficulty - easy, short, but a little steep. 2 min walk from parking lot
Accessibility - open year round. closes at sunset.
Jump Off Rock
A public park open for reservations for ceremonies. If hiking isn't your thing but you still love the mountains, this is a great option! This spot can accommodate many guests as well if you are in need of a ceremony location.
Location - Fletcher, NC
Difficulty - easy, handicap accessible
Accessibility - open year round
Point Lookout Vineyards
Who doesn’t love mountain views and vineyards? We love this vineyard specifically for its easy access to the vineyard from the winery and stunning mountain views.
Location - Hendersonville, NC
Difficulty - easy walk from parking lot (depending on how much wine you have)
Accessibility - open year round
Wayah Bald
An old fire tower looking over the mountains, this is a popular spot for couples to say "I do". You can climb up the tower and get en even greater view of the blue ridge mountains.
Location - Franklin, NC
Difficulty - easy. short paved walk from parking lot
Accessibility - open April-December
Wiseman’s View
Often referred to as the "Grand Canyon of North Carolina", Wiseman’s View is a beautiful spot with two stone wall overlooks, and great views of the green canyon below.
*There is a $100 additional fee for this location*
Location - Linville NC
Difficulty - easy, 1 min paved walk from parking lot
Accessibility - open year round. need vehicle with 4WD & good ground clearance
Darnell Farms
Right in the heart of Bryson City, Darnell Farm is famous for their hay rides, pumpkin patches, sunflower fields, and freshly grown produce. Along the riverside in a valley surrounded by mountains, you really can't go wrong here! In the spring and early summer time, you can pick your own strawberries and cool off with one of their iconic dream whips, and in late summer and fall time, you can pick your own sunflowers and go on a hayride to a pumpkin patch and go through a spooky corn maze. In the winter they have Christmas trees for sale as well as handmade wreaths and other holiday decor.
Location - Bryson City, NC
Difficulty - easy. 1 min walk from parking lot
Accessibility - open year round
Gardens
Biltmore Estate
Right in the heart of Asheville, Biltmore really has it all! With a gorgeous quilt garden, conservatory, mountain views, a waterfall, and in late summer, a sunflower field! Starting in late October, there is a giant Christmas tree in the front lawn.
Location - Asheville, NC
Difficulty - easy. All walkways and trails are paved.
Accessibility - open year round. Need grounds passes.
NC Arboretum
A beautifully maintained arboretum in Asheville, this spot is gorgeous year round with mountain views, gardens, and a greenhouse!
Location - Asheville, NC
Difficulty - easy, walk through a park.
Accessibility - open year round. $27 parking pass
Asheville Botanical Garden
This location has several trails to follow with a stream running throughout the park. Two different beautiful bridges to walk across and a gazebo- this place is perfect for elopements and micro weddings, and for feeling like you are in nature while being close to downtown Asheville.
Location - Asheville
Difficulty - easy, stroll through a park. Technical footwork to get down to the river if you wish to do so.
Accessibility - open year round, no admission fees
Waterfalls
Looking Glass Falls
This waterfall is definitely one to remember! At 60ft tall, you can feel the mist from the falls on your skin standing ankle deep in the waters. You can even swim here in the water in the warmer months!
Location - Brevard, NC
Difficulty - easy. a couple sets of stairs from parking area
Accessibility - open year round
Tom Creek Falls
This waterfall is right on top of an old mica mine, and is one of the more hidden waterfalls in our area. At the top of the falls there is a little pool of water, perfect to take a dip to cool off and get some romantic intimate photos together. This spot pairs well with Chestoa Overlook, Rough Ridge, and Wiseman’s view for those who want a waterfall and a Mountain View for their session!
Location - Marion, NC
Difficulty - easy, well maintained trail
Accessibility - open year round
Triple Falls
Located in the waterfall capital county in North Carolina, Triple Falls is a roaring waterfall conveniently located near Pretty Place Chapel. With an awesome bridge and nature filled trail leading up to it, this location is a perfect one for couples that want to add a little more adventure to their lives.
Location - Brevard, NC
Difficulty - moderate, well maintained trail with some maneuvering around rocks
Accessibility - open year round
Mingo Falls
This waterfall is one of the tallest and most spectacular in the southern Appalachians, at 120' tall. You can stick to the boardwalk and bridge if you like, or venture out amongst the rocks and feel the mist of the falls on your skin.
Location - Cherokee, NC
Difficulty - easy, just a bunch of stairs
Accessibility - open year round
Cityscapes
Downtown Sylva
The Jackson County Courthouse is the most photographed courthouse in all of North Carolina, for obvious reasons! The old courthouse on the hill is the most iconic part of Sylva- the perfect backdrop for your engagement session or elopement before you go grab a beer at one of the local breweries! Sylva also has a social district, so you are able to bring your beer into the streets and shop around with it, if you so desire. There is a cute little park down the road with some mountain views and access to the Tuckaseegee River.
Downtown Bryson City
Where the Great Smoky Mountain Railroad takes off, Bryson City is a great place to grab a beer on a rooftop, or an ice cream at a 50’s diner, or sit by the river and watch the cars go by.
Downtown Asheville
There is a lot of variety when it comes to a city.. the possibilities are endless! A few honorable mentions go to the famous “Love is alive in AVL” mural, and the Asheville Courthouse. The courthouse is covered in beautiful architecture - one of the prettiest in the area!
Uptown Charlotte
Uptown Charlotte has a lot of diversity, all within walking distance! Fountains, florals, walkways and cute alleyways, it really has it all! And bonus, there are lots of yummy places to eat afterwards!
