As the winter fades into a memory, the colors of spring blossom throughout the Smokies in the form of the famous Smoky Mountain wildflowers! While these flowering plants can be found almost year-round in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, the spring is the prime season to view these beautiful wildflowers. Here are the top 3 ways to enjoy the Smoky Mountain wildflowers during your spring vacation:
1. Attend the Spring Wildflower Pilgrimage
Explore the wildflowers at the Great Smoky Mountains National Park with a professional guide at the Spring Wildflower Pilgrimage! This popular annual event features 165 programs over the course of four days where you can learn more about wildflowers, trees and shrubs, birds, insects and more. Most of the programs are conducted on the trails within the park, while some evening events take place at the Mills Conference Center in Gatlinburg. There are also some night walks where you can search for owls or learn about how bats function in the ecosystem. It is recommended that you register as early as possible for this event because some of the walks may fill to capacity! You can register for events online or register in person at the Mills Conference Center starting on Tuesday, April 24 at 5 p.m.
2. Take a Wildflower Walk at the National Park
Another fantastic way to see the Smoky Mountain wildflowers is by taking one of the wildflower walks in Great Smoky Mountains National Park! Although the gorgeous wildflowers can be seen in most areas of the park, these hiking trails in particular are recommended for wildflower viewing! One of the closest trails near Gatlinburg is the Porters Creek Trail in the Greenbrier section of the park, which is located just 6 miles east of Gatlinburg on Highway 321. The first 1.5 miles of this trail provide excellent viewing opportunities, so be sure to bring along your camera! Another recommended nearby trail is the Little River Trail, a relatively wide and level footpath with good wildflower viewing along the first 2 miles. The trailhead is situated on a side road that begins just before entering the Elkmont Campground.
3. View the Wildflowers Around Your Cabin
You never have to look too hard to find the spring wildflowers in the Smoky Mountains, and you may even find them near your cabin at Chalet Village! Kick back on your cabin’s private deck as you listen to the delightful sounds of nature and look to see what wildflowers you can find. Another fun way to search for wildflowers is by exploring the grounds of Chalet Village, where you can also find our outdoor swimming pools and tennis courts! After your hunt for wildflowers, return to your cabin for a delicious home-cooked meal in your cabin’s fully equipped kitchen or a relaxing evening in the bubbling hot tub. Come find out for yourself why guests love staying at Chalet Village for their vacation to the Smoky Mountains!
Check out all of our cabins in Gatlinburg TN today to plan your vacation during the peak season of the Smoky Mountain wildflowers! We look forward to seeing you this spring at Chalet Village!
