Hello Friends! Thanks for coming to check out this blog post for ideas on where to propose! My name is Sarah and I am now a mom of 2 kids. Before mom life, I was a Smoky Mountain Photographer and had a photography business called “A Lifetime Photography“. I photographed 100s of families, weddings and proposals here in the Smoky Mountains.I loved it but now that I have 2 little kids, It is not so easy to do anymore.
I am currently a stay at home mom now and have put my photography business on hold for the moment and honestly proposals are hard to plan when I mostly photographed tourist. Since I no longer offer these type of services I would like to share with you all the places in Gatlinburg I have photographed at and share my tips with these locations.
Now, We know you can propose anywhere but these locations were perfect since they have a beautiful backdrop for the photos. There are some pros and cons to these locations so be sure to read my tips.
I would also suggest in getting a parking pass for any location in the Great Smoky Mountain National Park. Here is more information about that HERE.
Another tip and thing to consider is the weather, If you plan to propose with a mountain view, remember we are the “Smoky Mountains” which means the mountains do become Smoky and can also be invisible. If the weather is calling for rain or it just rained, you may not see the mountains at that moment so plan a different day or wait for it to clear up.
Waterfalls are also a great choice for proposals but if we just got lots of rain, the waterfalls can be muddy looking and not very pretty to look at. If we just got A LOT of rain, wait a day or two to go to that location. We also may have got enough rain that would make the waterfall flowing very well. These are all issues I have encountered through my 15 years of being a photographer.
Ober Mountain
Ober Mountain in Gatlinburg was a popular location for several reasons. It wasn’t a location she would suspect due to it being an attraction so he could easily tell her they were going there and she wouldn’t suspect a thing. Most of the time, the proposal took place at the very top of the chair lift where you had a Mountain View! It was a beautiful spot. If you caught it at the right time usually early in the morning, you wouldn’t have a big crowd. People come and go pretty quickly so if there was a large crowd there, they didn’t stay long and would go back down on the chair lift. The only con of this place for a proposal is in the summer months they do that a live band. That’s not a big deal but it could be a little loud when you are trying to propose. Most of the time the band plays for 15-20 mins then take a break so maybe you could catch them for a few mins then when they stop, you can pop the question.
Space Needle
The Gatlinburg Space Needle was another spot guys chose because it is easy to get to. It is also an attraction and again she wouldn’t suspect it. It is covered if it does rain. You have a great view of the mountains from lots of angles. A lot of guys would tell their girlfriends they were going out for a nice dinner after they went to the Space Needle and it was a great reason for her to get dressed up.
A Con for this place is that they do close the observation tower if the winds are high or they are doing maintenance. Definitely call before hand just to double check the observation deck is open. We have had to scramble for a new location lots of times due to it being closed.
Gatlinburg Sky Park
The Gatlinburg Sky Park location is so beautiful and lots of fun. It is pretty to propose any time of the year. Summer and Fall is beautiful with green or changing color of trees then winter it is all decked out for Christmas and of course Spring is a great time as well. Most guys had a few spots they liked to propose. On the long suspending bridge, on the lookout of the mountains or on the walk way they built that takes you around in the mountains. There are lots of spots to choose from up there. My only tip is to go to these locations early in the morning. Crowds are much much lower when places just open so go early and then celebrate the rest of the day.
Anakeesta
Anakeesta was my number one request for locations to go to for a proposal. There are lots of places around Anakeesta that make for a beautiful background for a proposal. Most guys chose to ask infront of their heart stick arch with the mountains behind them, but I have also had guys ask in the garden, on top of the AnaVista Tower, in the green archway, on the wooded bridge and under the Christmas Lights in the Winter. There are lots of options. They do have a few restaurants up there that the guys suggest lunch or dinner at and in they hope the girl will dress up some. Again, another attraction location but no real way for her to figure out this is a set up for a proposal.
Laurel Falls
If you are looking for a more nature scenery when proposing then Laural Falls may be a good choice. The hike itself is not to long of 2.6 miles round trip and can take around a couple of hours to complete when taking your time. Once you make it to the 80 ft waterfall you can enjoy the scenery and relax on the large boulders up there.
This location became very tricky for me due to the limited parking available and they have cracked down on the people parking illegally. It’s best to try to go to these locations early in the mornings and during not to busy times. such as don’t go on a Saturday in the middle of July and October. Also, be sure you have a daily or annual parking pass, you can grab one at the visitor center on your way in.
Another con of choosing this location and something to consider is your girlfriend will be hot and sweating and probably not so happy with her outfit choice if you did plan to have it captured. It is definitely a beautiful location but the first thing out of girls mouth is “UGH! I look horrible.” so just keep that in mind.
Grotto Falls
Grotto Falls is another hike choice instead of Laurel Falls but just like the advice I gave with Laurel Falls, this location is the same. I personally love this hike better than Laurel Falls due to so much greenery on the trail. I love that you can walk behind the waterfall here and it is very beautiful. Grotto Falls is on the Roaring Fork Motor Nature trail and they do close the access to that road Nov-March.
Chimney Tops Picnic Area
Chimney Tops Picnic Area is such a beautiful place to explore and have a picnic. There is a beautiful river that runs along there and it has large boulders to stand on to get a great view of the river. The water can be very strong at times and flooding can occur as well. The water can be muddy after a rain storm as well so keep that in mind after we have a lot of rain.
Gatlinburg Overlook
The Gatlinburg Overlook is a popular place guys proposed. You pull up in your car and see a beautiful view of the mountains. There is a little bit of green grass to the side to stand but mostly it is all in front of you. Cars do come and go all day long so you could have lots of people there or just a few. This was a great spot because you got a beautiful view of the mountains with no hike.
Ripleys Aquarium
Ripley’s Aquarium actually offers Proposal Packages at 3 different locations in the aquarium. You can propose at their diving show, in the Shark Tunnel or in the Penguin Area. I have been apart of the diving show and it is very sweet. They ask for a volunteer and of course it will be you and your girlfriend. They have you do some signs to the diver with your hands and then when you make the last sign with your hands, the diver holds up a sign that reads “Will You Marry Me” That is your que to get down on one knee to propose. You get to keep the sign, a professional photo and a keepsake gift. It is in front of a large crowd but super sweet.
The Penguin Encounter would be very cool. On the website it says you do have to pay extra for the Penguin Encounter Experience but how cute would it be to have that. I believe this one is in front of others as well but maybe not as many as the diving show
The last one is actually private. You get to enter into the aquarium 30 mins early and you get a private tour. When you arrive in the Tunnel they will have tea light candles set up leading to a rose petal heart. You get a Professional Photo and a keepsake gift.
The Village
The Village is a super cute little town inside of downtown Gatlinburg right on the strip. They have a couple of fountains in the area that have been a great place for a proposal. The main area is usually decorated super cute for each season. It can be a crowded area as most any place in downtown Gatlinburg but early mornings are perfect for this spot.
Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail
Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail is a popular place to take her on a drive through the mountains. You can stop at a mountain overlook, the river, at a cabin or a beautiful flowing waterfall called “A Place of A Thousand Drips” all on the driving trail. The driving trail is around 3.5 miles long so if you don’t have a special spot in mind, the whole drive you can use your best judgement on where to do it and maybe when you find a quiet time with her, you can pop the question.
This trail is closed during the winter months from Nov-March
It can be crowded on the weekends but most days through the week you can drive through with no problem, but as always I recommend going earlier in the day.
The Sinks
The Sinks is a little hidden on your drive going towards Cades Cove but lots of people stop here to look at the beautiful waterfall. Parking is limited here in their small parking lot but it is a beautiful location to pop the question. You can see the waterfall from the observation deck or on from the large bolder rocks. There is also a pretty staircase that goes towards the trail you could pop the question on.
Noah Bud Ogle Place
Noah Bud Ogle Place has always been one of my favorite places to stop and explore. You can go walking around and look at the cabins or take a small hike down to the river. It usually isn’t very crowded and the place is big enough to spread out so you could have some privacy.
Clingman’s Dome / Morton’s Overlook
The drive up to Clingman’s Dome is amazing. and such a beautiful view. On the way to Clingman’s Dome is a stop I personally always suggested. It is right on the Tennessee/North Carolina state line. There is plenty of parking and lots of places to see the mountains.
If you choose Clingman’s Dome, The only con to this place is the hike. We all love hikes but they can leave you sweaty and tired especially if you plan to propose. The observation tower is not very big so it could be crowded and if you plan to have this photographed then just remember this wall at the tower at the top is pretty tall. I photographed one proposal up there and you couldn’t even see the view due to the large wall blocking it when you are down on your knee. My suggestion is to propose at the Morton Overlook as a photographer who is looking for the background (wink wink)
Greenbriar
Greenbriar is a beautiful area to explore. This location is not very crowded and a place you can say you would like to explore and see by car. There are a few parking lots you can stop at and get out to see the river or stop at for a picnic. The best place I personally like for a proposal is at the 2nd parking lot. Just walk across the street for a great spot at the river. There are lots of big boulder rocks to stand on and a great view of the river.
Myatt Park
Mynatt Park is a beautiful place to walk around and grill out. There is a place to play some basketball and a covered pavilion. There is a beautiful river that runs through the park and it makes a great private place to pop the question.
Gatlinburg Trail
The Gatlinburg Trail is 4 miles round trip. It is one of the only trails that allows dogs and bikes. It is a very easy trail to walk. It runs along the river and has many places to stop and pop the question.
Cataract Falls
You can park at Sugarlands Visitor center and do a quick half mile easy hike to this small waterfall called Cataract Falls. It is flowing really good after a heavy rainstorm and would be a great choice if you are looking to propose with a waterfall but don’t want to do a big hike.
We hope this list of ideas helps with making a decision on where to propose when you are in the Gatlinburg area.