When you think of the Great Smoky Mountains, you probably think about some of the best mountaintop views, and you’d definitely be right. There are voluminous waterfalls, mossy trees and rocks, and (of course) mountain views for days. If you want to add a little something to your computer or your phone that depicts the beauty of the Smoky Mountains, we’ve got plenty to share.
Here are 15 unbelievable pictures of the Smoky Mountains to put as your desktop background!
Rainbow Falls Trail
If you are wanting a background that will calm you and lift your spirits, Rainbow Falls Trail has some of the scenic sights you’re looking for. Casually unlock your computer and witness the water falling gently over the rocks as it makes its way down to the mossy-covered ground. If you’re unfamiliar with this trail, it is a moderate trail in the Smokies — only 5.4 miles round trip!
Charlies Bunion Hiking Trail
Ah, the mountain views. Charlies Bunion Hiking Trail is a difficult 8.1-mile hike roundtrip, but you shouldn’t always have to trek the hike to view the beauty of its mountains. Having this background will leave you feeling accomplished and inspired as you go on about your day!
Clingmans Dome Hike
The highest point in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, the Clingmans Dome hike sits at over 6,000 feet! Have the depth of forested trees on your background with misted mountains in the background and light clouds overhead in the sky. This hike is one of the most popular attractions of the National Park.
Twin Creeks Trail
Because who doesn’t love some lush vegetation as their screensaver? If you are a nature lover, use this Twin Creeks Trail picture as your background and you will constantly be in awe. The Smoky Mountains has some of the most incredible flowers and plants along each path, capturing your attention and leaving you breathless each step of the way. Twin Creeks Trail is only a moderate hike and is a round trip of 4.5 miles if you want to try to spot some beauty along the way yourself.
The Jump Off
A moderate hike in the Smokies, The Jump Off has mountain views that can never be forgotten. 6.5 miles round trip if you have never been, this trail offers views of Charlies Bunion, Mount Guyot, and the Appalachian Trail — so, you will really be able to enjoy the most of the National Park without all the fuss!
Ramsey Cascades Trail
This photograph is ideal for many reasons; the water is seamlessly flowing throughout the rocks, fall color has taken over the trees in the background with its bright yellow, and fall leaves have gently made their way onto the rocks below with their oranges taking dominance over this photo. Definitely an incredible photo of Ramsey Cascades Trail for those who love the fall season and nature.
Mount Cammerer Trail
We might have a slight obsession with fall colors when it comes to the mountains, but can you blame us? Mount Cammerer Trail is 6 hours of extreme difficulty — so if you choose to hike it, use caution and be fully prepared for this 11.1-mile hike round trip. A wonderful photograph inspired by the bright orange throughout the trees and mountaintops, but don’t let that keep you from keeping this as your background year-round!
Brushy Mountain Trail
When it comes to Brushy Mountain Trail, we had a hard time narrowing it down to one picture/ 6.8 miles round trip, this difficult hike usually takes around 4 hours to complete there and back. There are mossy trees and wild leaves — making it feel almost like a jungle in the mountains. Not only is there plenty of forestries, but there is also a waterfall to enjoy if you were wanting to take some pictures yourself of this delightful trail.
Cades Cove
Cades Cove, a truly incredible and historic spot that everyone should visit at least once in their lifetime. If you can’t visit, however, or if you did visit and didn’t manage to get a good picture — we have a picture for you! Overcast clouds and miles of green manage to capture the magnificence of Cades Cove in one shot.
Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail
Some of the best shots come from little significant parts of nature. Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail has an abundance of waterfalls, but also moss that covers pretty much everything. Indulge in the smaller part of this trail on your desktop background and appreciate the detail and color of this naturally inspiring trail.
Mount Leconte
While Mount Leconte has several ways to get to, the Boulevard Trail brings a different light to this hike. If you want to try this hike yourself, block off roughly 9 hours of your day for this 15.6-mile round trip hike is an extremely difficult one. Once you get to the top, however, it is completely worth every mile and step of the way as you look out into the bushy forest of colors and the mist that gently surrounds the mountains.
Little River Trail
Let stunning butterflies fill your desktop frame with grace as you save this photo of Little River Trail. An easy hike of the Great Smoky Mountains, if you want to hike this trail is a merely 4.9 miles round trip. This desktop is essential for those who want to feel a little lighter each day, but still, always want to keep learning about the world around them.
Rocky Top Trail
We couldn’t imagine a better picture if we tried. The clouds happens to be perfectly shaped and aligned at the moment this photograph was taken. At the same time, the wildflowers were in their crimson red bloom, and the mountains were at their peak during fall foliage season. Take in the sheer wild fascination of Rocky Top Trail. This trail is an extremely difficult hike in the Great Smoky Mountains and takes roughly 8 hours to complete there and back. Completely worth having a mountain worth singing songs about as your desktop.
Newfound Gap Road
The sunlight is barely peeking through the branches of the trees as you catch a glimpse of the mountains at Newfound Gap Road. 31 miles of extreme brilliance, who wouldn’t want to look at this photo every day? If you want to see this in person, drive through the road and make your way from the Sugarlands Visitor Center to Cherokee, North Carolina!
Gregory Bald Trail
Last, but definitely not least, Gregory Bald Trail is the golden hour of photos. This is another extreme hike in the National Park, but 6 hours of pure serenity. One of the most popular hiking spots in the Smokies, this trail has an elevation gain of over 3,000 feet and is full of wildflowers (like blooming azaleas) and tall grass and meadows.
Get inspired and feel elated each day as you look at one of these pictures. These are all such jaw-dropping locations and pictures that will leave you breathless each time you look at them. Wondering what other views the Smoky Mountains has to offer? Check out Nine Great Summits!
