Best Places to get Engagement Photos taken in Asheville
- yourjcmphotography
- 11 hours ago
- 17 min read
A comprehensive look at the best engagement photo locations in & near Asheville
When it comes to beautiful areas like Asheville and WNC, there are a plethora of scenic options for engagement photo locations! Having shot here professionally for the last 10 years, it's not uncommon for some clients to just tell us, “We trust your judgement, just pick a spot and we’ll meet you there.” It’s one of the situations where the blessing can be the curse as there is so much to choose from. Our goal with this blog was to provide a comprehensive overview of some of the most popular locations amongst our clientele. To help keep everything organized, we’ve broken them down into 4 types of locations. Mountain views, Water, Scenic options, and Urban. If you already know you’re 100% sure you want a mountain location but you're just not sure which one, this will allow you to skip through those other sections. In addition to the visuals we will provide from each location, we will also go over some basic information that will be relevant for your planning such as how far each spot is from town, if it requires a hike, and any other information that we think you would find helpful! As you’re looking through all of these locations, be sure to pick a back up location or two. For anyone that has spent a decent amount of time in this area, you already know mountain roads close all the time, rock/mudslides can happen, rogue snowstorms in the middle of spring can shut down access roads like the parkway, etc. In any event, if you have more questions about your engagement session, or any of these specific locations, just give us a shout!
Mountain views
Mountain locations are by far our most popular requested option for engagement photos in the Asheville area. Having been tourists here ourselves years ago, we know how easily the natural beauty of this region can pull you in! One thing we like to let everyone know, almost all of the popular mountain locations for engagement photos are actually slightly outside of Asheville. That may seem crazy as it’s a town completely surrounded by mountains but unless you’ve booked a private property or have property in the area, almost all of the popular mountain locations for engagement sessions are outside of the town itself. Some require a strenuous hike and hours of driving, and some are a little easier to access. Many of these locations are remote and definitely outside of cell signal so always be sure to do your research on these locations and make sure you’re prepared with things like spare tires, extra food, water, etc. That may seem like overkill but we’ve done some winter sessions in the Linville Gorge area and we've seen plenty of 4x4 and AWD vehicles that slide off the mountains roads and get stuck in a ditch 3 to 4 ft deep in snow. Always be prepared in these more remote locations. The last thing we will say about these mountain locations for engagement photos, you can likely hop on a google or the Blue Ridge Parkway website and find all kind of locations listed. The locations we’ve chosen are popular amongst our clients, year after to year (as well as many other photographers) and lend themselves well to shooting an engagement session. We are not picking random pull offs with a sidewalk and 10 sq ft of space. Trust us when we say, just because another location exists, it doesn’t mean it’s worth shooting at. Okay, I lied, last tidbit before we dive in. If it says “Yes” for year around accessibility, please note that this is always weather dependent. We can get black ice, heavy snow fall, landslides, and roads closures. Yes means we have experience going to these places in the winter. It does not mean it’s always guaranteed to be open/accessible no matter what. Do your research and consult your photographer. Conversely, if it says "no", it’s not saying it’s physically impossible. For instance, the first location on our list below can be hiked to in the winter with the right fitness and navigation plan, but instead of an hour drive, you’re likely looking at a 6-8 hour hike. Possible? Yes, practical for 99.9% of people? No. For these types of locations, for simplicity we just put a “no.”
Black Balsam Knob
There is a reason this location is at the top of our list. Over the last 10 years it has easily been the most popular mountain location amongst our couples seeking that perfect spot for their engagement photos. The diverse terrain here offers a little something for everyone. Whether you’re looking for open fields with mountains in the distance, cool rock formations, or the enchanted forest at the base of the hike, this is one location that checks most if not all of the boxes for most people. On a 1-10 we would say the hike is probably a 5 in terms of difficulty or fitness level needed to reach the views. There are several options for “mountain tops” or plateaus here with great views. You don’t necessarily have to go all the way to the top. In our experience, going at an average pace non-stop it would probably take most people 20-25 minutes to get to the top. There are a few options long before that and you can usually count on amazing views around 10-15 minutes in as you climb through the forest.
Distance from Asheville - Roughly an hour; all paved
Hike required: Yes, 12-30 minutes (difficulty moderate)
Parking: Very limited (not recommended for weekends or holidays)
Bathrooms on site: No ***(Graveyard Fields Falls about 3 minutes down the road does have facilities)
Accessible Year Round: No
Max Patch
Max Patch is another wildly popular mountain location for engagement photos in WNC. With it’s proximity being right on the lines of Tennessee and NC, it attracts hikers, campers, outdoor enthusiasts, and photographers from all around. Max Patch is definitely a little off the beaten path and does require several miles of gravel road driving no matter which direction you plan to travel from. In the winter or when it’s had heavy rain, be sure to choose a vehicle with decent ground clearance and AWD/4WD. We have driven up here in the snow and freeze melt and it can get a little sketch without the right vehicle. On a dry warm summer day, we’ve seen everything up here from sedans to minivans. Max Patch is known for its massive open mountain top (Bald) and 360 mountains views. Given it’s popularity over the years, it has gone through some closures, and improvement projects so if you decide to utilize this beautiful location, please be mindful of leave no trace and signage. We’d hate to see this location shut down a again. The layers of mountains you can see at the top on a perfect night seem infinite. The hike here is a little shorter and a little more straight forward than that of let’s say Black Balsam. On average I would say it usually takes 9-12 minutes to get to the top for most people.
Distance from Asheville: 80-90 minutes; paved and gravel
Hike Required: Yes, 9-12 minutes (difficulty moderate)
Parking: Very Limited (not recommended for weekends and holidays)
Bathrooms on site: None
Accessible Year Round: Yes
Hawksbill mountain
This popular mountain location has the distinction of being the spot we get asked about the most as people tend to fall in love with it once they see engagement photos from this location. To us it feels the most like a big mountain location or canyon that you might see when you’re out west. It is by far the most epic location we generally shoot at in WNC. The cliff outcropping, vast open views, and remoteness of this spot make it feel like you’re on top of the world. It also has the distinction of being the spot most couples say “Oh, yeah maybe not,” to once we tell them about the hike. You’re already in for about a 90 minute drive if you’re coming from Asheville. Once you arrive, you’re in for around another 40 minutes of hiking. It can be done faster, but in our experience most of our couples like to shoot along the way and hit a few of the scenic spots where it opens up. In general though, expect at least 40 minutes on most days. We’ve done this hike in every season in NC and each one presents its own challenges. If it’s summer, definitely prepare to sweat. If it’s winter, you could be hiking up through 6-12 inches of snow. If it’s fall, expect it to be crowded no matter which day you choose, and spring can be a bit of an overall wildcard. Even considering all of the above, we are still of the opinion that this is the best mountain engagement location in North Carolina, if you’re willing to put in the effort. Bring a headlamp and flash light if you’re shooting at sunset as it is a long hike back down in the dark.
Distance from Asheville: 90 minutes; paved and gravel
Hike Required: Yes, 40 minutes (difficulty strenuous, parts are very steep and may require a break)
Parking: Very Limited (not recommended for weekends and holidays)
Bathrooms on site: None
Accessible Year Round: Yes
Rough Ridge
Rough ridge is definitely one of our favorite locations to shoot! The cliff outcroppings and overall layout of this location make it absolutely epic when it comes to mountain engagement sessions near Asheville! The elevation and depth of mountain views here really make it stand out in our minds. This spot is also known for gorgeous color if you can time it right for peak fall foliage. The hike to the first overlook is probably 10-12 minutes from the parking lot. To get to the main cliff overlook, it’s closer to 25-30 minutes for most people. The only drawback for this location is the terrain itself makes it a little tight on space, especially if the small parking lot is full!
Distance from Asheville: 90 minutes; paved
Hike Required: Yes 20-30 minutes (difficulty moderate)
Parking: Very Limited (not recommended for weekends and holidays)
Bathrooms on site: None
Accessible Year Round: No
Craggy Gardens (Pinnacle Trail)
If Black Balsam (above) was our number 1 draft pick for most of our couples, Craggy would definitely come in at a strong #2 overall. With it’s proximity to town and overall look, Craggy Gardens is truly a location that is hard to beat. The hike itself is pretty moderate and short, the Pinnacle Trail has a few overlooks to choose from, but our favorite is the lower overlook, for shooting. In general this spot has a little more room than the very top, and overall you can’t tell the difference in photos. Friendly heads up, you’re not allowed to hop the wall to get to the cliff up top. But trust me, there is still plenty of options for epic engagement photos including 3 other cliff/overlooks. This place can get a little nuts in peak season and much like Rough Ridge, the terrain can be a little tight so avoid weekends and holidays. The only negative thing I have for this location is the weather. We joke that this is our 50/50 location. Meaning half of the time, it will be perfect, the other half of the time it will be completely engulfed in clouds with no end in sight. We’ve been in Asheville on a 75 degree sunny blue sky day, and we’ve driven up to Craggy only to find rain and 40 degree wind. Guess that's the cost of planning a session at 6,000+ ft above sea level. Always be okay with a back up plan if you choose Craggy because there’s a pretty good chance you’ll need it.
Distance from Asheville: 40 minutes; paved
Hike Required: Yes 12-20 minutes (difficulty moderate)
Parking: Yes, plenty (Still not recommended for weekends and holidays)
Bathrooms on site: Yes (stop at Craggy Visitor’s Center about 1/4 mile up the road before you reach the pinnacle trail parking lot)
Accessible Year Round: No
Wiseman’s View
Wiseman’s View is arguably one of the best scenic mountain views in Linville Gorge! We personally love this option for elopements, but Wiseman’s View can be a beautiful spot for an engagement as well. It’s probably the easiest hike on the list, and has almost immediate payoff when it comes to the views! It’s a mix of paved and trail so expect a little bit of both if you want to access certain cliffs. We strongly recommend an AWD/4x4 vehicle with decent ground clearance. We’ve actually had client’s get stuck trying to get up this gravel road when it gets rutted out. It’s one switchback in particular. There are times of the year when the forest road has been maintained and it’s pretty smooth and there are other times when the rain and traffic takes a toll. We’ve bottomed out a Rav4 and Crosstrek on this part of the trail when it’s rough.
Distance from Asheville: 90 minutes; paved and grave;
Hike Required: Yes, 5 minutes (difficulty easy/paved)
Parking: Yes, plenty (Still not recommended for weekends and holidays)
Bathrooms on site: Yes
Accessible Year Round: Yes
Roan Mountain
Ok, let’s get this part out of the way immediately for the purists, this location is in Tennessee, not event NC. But, given it’s relatively close proximity to Asheville, and it’s popularity among our couples over the years, we would be doing an injustice if I didn’t mention Roan. Craver’s Gap is specifically where you’ll want to navigate too. Be sure you have everything you need when you visit Roan. You’re only 80ish minutes from Asheville but when you get close, there’s rarely a phone signal or anything close. The hike up is moderate in difficulty but you’re rewarded pretty quickly with long range mountain views. You’ll pass through a forest section that’s usually great for a few shots, and then once you reach the opening, you’re in for a real treat! The views get better and better until you reach the very top where you’ll essentially have 360 degree mountain views. I feel like we’ve always captured a great sunset at this location, and we’ve also had some of our coldest shoots at this location. If you’re wanting your engagement session during the winter, Roan is a great option. Just bring your coat!
Distance from Asheville: 80-90 minutes
Hike Required: Yes, 20-25 minutes (difficulty moderate)
Parking: Yes, moderate amount of parking; (We’ve never been to this place when it was crowded but we try to avoid weekends and holidays)
Bathrooms on site: Yes
Accessible Year Round: Yes
The Devil's Courthouse
This unique location can be a bit of a hidden gem for engagement sessions. The views from the top are cool! You’re one of the highest points in the immediate area by a significant amount so it feels like you’re looking down. It’s still an amazing view! The one drawback of this location would be the limited space at the top.
Distance from Asheville: 75 minutes; paved
Hike Required: Yes, 12-15 minutes (Strenuous, it’s a short one but it’s very steep at certain parts; partially paved)
Parking: Yes, moderate amount of parking; (Can get very crowded on weekends and holidays)
Bathrooms on site: No
Accessible Year Round: No
Biltmore
The Biltmore is a location you will see on our list multiple times because it technically has a perfect mix a of a few categories. For mountain views specifically, you’ll either want to hit up the South Terrace, or the open grassy area next to it which we just call the ‘side hill’. For being right in the middle of town, the mountain views on the back side of the Biltmore are great! It can be hit or miss shooting at this exact spot if there are construction/landscaping projects. Their is an admission fee so double check their website for the latest rates. We have been at The Biltmore when it feels like we have the entire place to ourselves, and there have been times where it felt like we couldn’t get away from crowds. All that to say, it can be busy at The Biltmore, but there are times you can get lucky. We recommend starting your session as soon as the grounds open and you can get in to avoid most of the crowds. Weekends and holidays here are usually a no go. Just because people ask, no, you cannot shoot inside of the Biltmore House itself.
Distance from Asheville: 5-10 minutes (depending where’s you’re at in Asheville)
Hike Required: No but you can do some hiking or a lot of walking (low to moderate depending where you go)
Parking: Yes, (avoid on weekends, and holidays)
Bathrooms on site: Yes
Accessible Year Round: Yes
Water
Triple falls
This is our favorite waterfall location to shoot! Triple falls is a relatively easy to moderate hike and takes most people probably 15ish minutes. As you get closer, you can hear the powerful rumble of the falls, and when you finally turn the corner and see them, it’s pretty jaw dropping the first time. Given the open space, gorgeous falls, and secluded feel, this is one of the most popular among our couples.
Distance from Asheville: 52 minutes (depending where’s you’re at in Asheville)
Hike Required: Yes, 15 minutes (low to moderate difficulty)
Parking: Yes, (definitely avoid on weekends, and holidays)
Bathrooms on site: Yes
Accessible Year Round: Yes
Looking glass falls
Looking Glass Falls is probably one of the most popular locations for anyone visiting Asheville. It’s one of those iconic staple locations you just have to visit! With it’s proximity to the road and easy access, it’s also a location you can add on to your engagement session if you plan on hitting multiple locations, but it’s not uncommon to just do your entire session here either. Over the years the terrain has continued to change just from natural erosion, floods during storms, etc. Right now it has plenty of room to stand down in front of the falls. Careful if you climb up on the rocks as it can be very slick! For most people it’s about a 1-2 minute walk including some stairs. This is one of those locations we definitely never recommend for weekends or holidays. We made the mistake of doing a surprise proposal here on the weekend during peak season when we first moved to the area. Let’s just say there were about 150 people scattered about in a spot that is comfortable for about a dozen. Definitely stick to the weekdays here!
Distance from Asheville: 45 minutes (depending where’s you’re at in Asheville)
Hike Required: No, 1-2 minute paved walk with stairs
Parking: Yes, side of the road (definitely avoid on weekends, and holidays)
Bathrooms on site: No
Accessible Year Round: Yes
Graveyard Fields Falls
We feel like this waterfall location doesn’t get enough credit and we’re okay with that. This is one of the waterfall locations that you can usually count on being very low in terms of foot traffic on an average day. Just like any waterfall location, expect it to be crowded on the weekends and holidays but for most week days it’s very low key. With this location there is a variety of terrain from paved trail to rock hopping near the falls, to dirt trails in some spots. This is also another great location to add to a session if you plan on doing multiple hours/locations. It’s a deceptive hike and by that we mean, it’s all down hill from the parking lot to the falls. From there, it’s an up hill hike all the way back. For the way out, it’s low intensity, and for the way back, it’s mostly moderate intensity but there are a couple of steep sections with stairs that will definitely get your HR up. We especially love this spot in the fall when the color is peaking!
Distance from Asheville: 75 minutes (depending where’s you’re at in Asheville)
Hike Required: Yes, 8-12 minutes out and 10-12 minutes back (low to moderate intensity with two steep stair sections)
Parking: Yes (definitely avoid on weekends, and holidays)
Bathrooms on site: Yes
Accessible Year Round: No
Lake Lure
Lake Lure used to be a bit of a hidden gem for engagement sessions! You had the lake itself, the boardwalk and docks, open grassy fields, tree covered paths, the flowering bridge, as well as the option to hop down on the rocks into the river in certain sections. After Hurricane Helene, much of the geography of this region changed due to the amount of flood damage and destruction. With that, we did shoot our first wedding in the area in a while after the storms, it was May of 2025 and for the areas we went during the wedding with our couple, they were beautiful! There was still certain sections that were going to need more recovery and love so keep that in mind if you visit.
Distance from Asheville: 1 hour (depending where’s you’re at in Asheville)
Hike Required: Not really a hike, just walking around wherever you decide to go
Parking: Yes, because the lake area in Morse Park is so wide open, this is one of the few spots you can get away with shooting on the weekends.
Bathrooms on site: Yes
Accessible Year Round: Yes
Lake Junaluska
It seems like we end up shooting an engagement session at Lake Junaluska every year or two. It’s one of those spots that probably qualifies as a hidden gem. It’s very popular for people just out for their evening walk, kayaking, and even family portraits but it’s definitely a spot you can rock for engagement photos! There’s a variety around the lake, mountain views, paths, a wooden bridge, etc, and for whatever reason, it seems like there’s always a great sunset at Lake Junaluska! The only negative about this location in our experience is certain times of the year the geese are more active than others and there can be a lot of goose poop in certain spots.
Distance from Asheville: 30 minutes (depending where’s you’re at in Asheville)
Hike Required: Not really a hike, just walking around wherever you decide to go
Parking: Yes
Bathrooms on site: Yes
Accessible Year Round: Yes
Scenic
NC Arboretum
There’s a special place on our list for spots that are just great overall scenic locations. The NC arboretum does have some mountain views on the backside of their property, beautiful paths and forest areas but the real reason most of our couples love to shoot engagements here is for the flowers and overall foliage at this location. The quilt garden is to die for if you’re craving those fun pops of floral color for your session! The hours can be limited, and there is an admission fee so just a friendly heads up! If you’re not looking to hike, and want at least a little mountain view, as well as staying close to town, the NC Arboretum can be a great choice!
Distance from Asheville: 17 minutes (depending where’s you’re at in Asheville)
Hike Required: Not really a hike, just walking around wherever you decide to go
Parking: Yes
Bathrooms on site: Yes (limited hours)
Accessible Year Round: Yes (limited during winter months due to Christmas lights display)
Biltmore
As we mentioned earlier in this list, you would be seeing the Biltmore again! The real allure of the Biltmore is not just it’s beautiful mountain views, but the historical architecture, the gardens/conservatory in the spring, water options with ponds on the back side of the property, open fields, and just the overall variety. If you’re looking for an engagement session to have it all or multiple looks all in one relative space, it’s hard to beat the Biltmore Estate.
Distance from Asheville: 5-10 minutes (depending where’s you’re at in Asheville)
Hike Required: No but you can do some hiking or a lot of walking (low to moderate depending where you go)
Parking: Yes, (avoid on weekends, and holidays)
Bathrooms on site: Yes
Accessible Year Round: Yes
Urban
Downtown AVL
We usually end up doing a downtown engagement every year or two. In general, most people are traveling here from their city because they desire the mountain views and scenery. That being said, downtown Asheville can be a great option for your engagement session if that’s the vibe you’re going for! Be careful where you park, I’ve received 2 parking tickets over the years for either parking in the wrong spot or parking backwards when you weren’t supposed to. It’s easy to miss so take your time.
Distance from Asheville: 0 minutes - you’re in Asheville
Hike Required: No, really just walking around town as far as you want to go
Parking: Yes, (avoid on weekends, and holidays - - sunrise is the best time to shoot downtown for your engagement session in Asheville)
Bathrooms on site: Yes, there are some public restrooms spread throughout downtown
Accessible Year Round: Yes
Breweries
We’ve shot engagement photos at a handful of Asheville and WNC breweries over the years and if you’re a craft beer fan or want that laid back vibe for your engagement, breweries can be an excellent option for your Asheville engagement session! A couple of things to know/check on before you dive right in for a brewery engagement. Always reach out to get permission before you just decide to show up and shoot. Many businesses do not allow this or allow it if prior permission is granted. Be sure to get the name of the employee you talked to with regards to who gave permission as we’ve seen this go awry as well. Oftentimes they will have time slots they require, or a copy of your photographer’s COI to prove they are insured.
Distance from Asheville: Varies
Hike Required: No, really just walking around town as far as you want to go
Parking: Most breweries in downtown settings in our experience are going to have limited parking so plan accordingly.
Bathrooms on site: Yes
Accessible Year Round: Yes
Now that you’ve made it this far, you probably have a good idea of the type of vibe you’re going for, for your engagement session! Asheville (and the overall Western North Carolina for that matter) is an excellent choice for your engagement photos! As we mentioned previously and you probably saw, most of the epic scenic locations that people want are technically going to be outside of the city a pretty good distance but there are also some options that are closer by. In any event, this should help you get started but always be sure to do your research, double check for closures, and be sure to slow down and enjoy the view no matter where you end up going!