Photo Essay: Splash!

Flying high above a gorgeous sunset at Smith Mountain Lake.

Our contributing photographers present the best of the region’s falls and lakes, rivers and swimming holes, and more!

Photo Above: Flying high above a gorgeous sunset at Smith Mountain Lake. © Doug Van Sant photography

Eagle Falls is located along a trail in Cumberland Falls State Park near Whitley, Kentucky. The falls drops about 44 feet into a turquoise-blue pool of water. This mile-and-a-half walk is worth it.
Eagle Falls is located along a trail in Cumberland Falls State Park near Whitley, Kentucky. The falls drops about 44 feet into a turquoise-blue pool of water. This mile-and-a-half walk is worth it.
©Bill Lea
Shot from a helicopter, this Horseshoe section of the Watauga River is along Wilbur Lake, Tennessee. The Appalachian Trail traverses the over 6,000-acre Big Laurel Branch Wilderness along the ridge-top in this photo.
Shot from a helicopter, this Horseshoe section of the Watauga River is along Wilbur Lake, Tennessee. The Appalachian Trail traverses the over 6,000-acre Big Laurel Branch Wilderness along the ridge-top in this photo.
©Todd Bush
View of Blackwater Falls from the steps descending to the viewing platform; Blackwater Falls State Park, Tucker County, West Virginia.
View of Blackwater Falls from the steps descending to the viewing platform; Blackwater Falls State Park, Tucker County, West Virginia.
©Connie Manchester
Hurricane Falls plunges into the 1,000-foot-deep Tallulah Gorge in Northeast Georgia. Tallulah Gorge State Park has over 20 miles of hiking trails and is a great place to bring the family.
Hurricane Falls plunges into the 1,000-foot-deep Tallulah Gorge in Northeast Georgia. Tallulah Gorge State Park has over 20 miles of hiking trails and is a great place to bring the family.
©Christian Murillo
Fontana Lake is the largest lake in Western North Carolina, and is surrounded by the Great Smoky Mountains.
Fontana Lake is the largest lake in Western North Carolina, and is surrounded by the Great Smoky Mountains.
©Dana Montgomery
Elakala Falls in Black Water Falls State Park, West Virginia, captured on a warm summer day.
Elakala Falls in Black Water Falls State Park, West Virginia, captured on a warm summer day.
©Nicholas Moore
Linville Falls in North Carolina was huge after several days of heavy rain in October 2019. It is one of the most popular locations along the Blue Ridge Parkway.
Linville Falls in North Carolina was huge after several days of heavy rain in October 2019. It is one of the most popular locations along the Blue Ridge Parkway.
©Sallie Woodring





The story above appears in our July/August 2020 issue.

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