This black and white photograph features a concrete structure known as Look Rock Tower. Located in the Smoky Mountains of Tennessee along the new section of the Foothills Parkway, near Townsend, it serves as both a weather station for monitoring air quality, and as an observation platform. It’s also available on prints in my gallery, so stop by sometime and see what you can find.
After a short 1/2 mile hike along a trail up the mountain, I could see Look Rock Tower through the bare trees of winter. Made of concrete, it has three long ramps to ascend and features panoramic views of the Smoky Mountains to the east, as well as the Cumberland Plateau, westward. Photographed here, a southerly view.
If interested, you can find prints available in my gallery. Thanks for stopping by!
After hiking, I drove north on US-321 and turned east onto the Foothills Parkway. It’s an 11-mile drive up and along the ridge line to Look Rock, an elevated platform from which to observe the Smoky Mountains. This was my second visit at this location, and, despite being mostly overcast, it’s always nice to have a look from above the clouds. You can visit my gallery to see more…
These photographs are available on fine prints and more in my gallery:
Thanks for visiting!
Prints are available in my gallery featuring these photographs –
Just across the street from the parking lot at Look Rock is the Look Rock Tower Trail. It’s a short 1/2 mile hike along a paved trail through the forest, though the grade is steep. At the end, you’ll encounter a very tall concrete structure…
On top, the observation area provides visitors with a 360-degree panoramic view, including the Smoky Mountains to the east and the Cumberland Plateau to the west. The spiral staircase is locked and off limits, with equipment for monitoring air quality and communications.
Though both the elevation and proximity to taller mountains are less than that of Clingmans Dome, the views are really wonderful and the area is much more peaceful…in fact, the only other people I saw were a couple leaving as I arrived.
Fine prints are available in my gallery at Pixels and would make an excellent accent piece for an empty wall – at home or in the office!
Located along the old section of the Foothills Parkway, near Townsend, Tennessee, approximately 11 miles from US-321, visitors can enjoy expansive views of the Smoky Mountains from both Look Rock, as well as Look Rock Tower.
While there are several spots along this route to park and appreciate the scenery, Look Rock is the only area with a designated observation platform. There are no restrooms or gift shop, but the view is great!
If interested in a print for your home, you can visit my gallery to review a variety of options available to meet your wishes. Thanks for visiting!
Crossing the Foothills Parkway into the forest, visitors can hike to the Look Rock observation tower along the Look Rock Tower Trail…
Phil Perkins • Photography 