Great Smoky Mountain Wildflowers

Great Smoky Mountain Wildflowers

Trails To See Wildflowers - Area Hiking Info - Wildflowers by the Month - See Park Service Map

Banner: Great Smoky Mountains WiLdflowers, David O'Dell
View from foothills parkway - Take A National Park Wildflower Walk

The arrival of spring is marked by a symphony of birds and the colorful majesty of blossoming wildflowers. Spring here abounds with tender sprouts and blooms some of which are seen nowhere else than the Great Smokies such as the native Flame Azalea. By summer, the hills, coves, and valleys take on a rich green, tinged with the blue haze that gives the Smokies their name. Botanical and animal life abound. The wildflowers of the Great Smoky Mountains are amazing in their diversity. The Park is home to over fifteen hundred kinds of different flowering species, and over three hundred rare plants. The latitude involved, different elevations, and amount of rain, attributes to the diversity of these native plants. Also we have the National Park Service to thank for their efforts in art of preservation.

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Smokies Flora, Fauna, and Culture-Wise!

January: Black Bear cub are born. Winter birds present include; Ruffed Grouse, Belted Kingfisher, Cedar Waxwing, Golden-Crowned Kinglet, Purple Finch, Red-Breasted Nuthatch, Pine Siskin, Black-Capped Chickadee, Winter Wren, American Goldfinch, Barred Owl, and Wild Turkey.

Photo: Purple Finch, Courtesy Google images

Purple Finch (male)

February: Red Maple trees bloom. Trailing Arbutus may bloom along trail edges. Spicebush blooms. Mourning Doves are courting.

March: Wildflowers that may bloom this month include; Spring Beauty, Sharp-lobed Hepatica, Bloodroot, Vinca Minor, and several species of Violets. Arriving migratory birds include Brown Thrasher, Solitary Vireo, Yellow Throated Warbler, Black and White Warbler, and Louisiana Water thrush. Redbud and Serviceberry trees bloom along Little River Road.

Photo: Periwinkle flowering in spring

Blooming Periwinkle

April: Flowering Dogwood trees reach their peak of bloom about mid month, April 22-28- Annual Wildflower Pilgrimage. Dozens of woodland wildflowers are in bloom, including Foamflower, Columbine, Fire Pink, Dutchman's Britches, Trout Lilly, White Trillium, Yellow Trillium, Crested Dwarf Iris, White Fringed Phacelia and Wild Geranium. Many Warblers and other migratory birds arrive to spend the summer and breed. They include; Ruby-Throated Hummingbirds, Veery, Wood Thrush, Yellow-Throated Vireo, Chestnut-Sided Warbler, Blackburn Ian Warbler, Canada Warbler, and Scarlet Tanager.

PHOTO: White Trillum, Wildflowers of the Smokies, courtesy of Smokies Visitor Center

White Trillium

May: Mountain Laurel is in bloom, Flame Azalea is in bloom at the lower elevations. Silverbell trees and Tulip trees are in bloom as well as Umbrella and Fraser Magnolia trees. Woodland wildflowers in bloom include Creeping Phlox, Wake Robin, Snowy Orchids, Yellows Lady's Slipper, Galax and Woodland Bluet.

June: Catawba Rhododendron reaches it's peak of bloom. Rosebay Rhododendron reaches it's peak at the lower elevations. June 15 - 30th Gregory Bald, a nine mile hike out of Cades Cove is ablaze with Flaming Azaleas. As William Bartram, a noted botanist of the eighteenth century said, "This is certainly the most gay and brilliant flowering shrub yet known."

Flame Azalea
(One of the 30,000 plant species native to the Great Smoky Mountains)

July: Wildflowers in bloom include; Butterfly Weed, Yellow-Fringed Orchid, Cardinal Flower, Purple-fringed Orchid, and Fly Poison. Rosebay Rhododendron reaches it's peak of bloom at the middle and higher elevations. Sourwood trees bloom.

August: Wildflowers in bloom include Joe-Pye-Weed, Turk's Cap Lily, Pink Turtlehead, Heart-Leaved Aster, Nodding Lady's Tresses, Canada Goldenrod, Bee Balm, and Touch-Me-Not. Fruits are ripe on Pin Cherry trees

September: Flocks of migrating Broad-winged Hawks may be seen from Clingman's Dome and Look Rock Tower. Wildflowers in bloom include Mountain Gentian, New York Ironweed, and Wide-Leaved Sunflower.

October: During the first half of the month, fall colors will reach their peak at the higher elevations. Colors will reach peak at the lower elevations during the second half of the month. Bulk Elk are bugling.

November: Oak Trees continue to show good color early in the month. Watch for the possible arrival of Evening Grosbeaks. Deciduous leaves of Buffalo Nut remain bright green. Many Fall Asters continue to bloom.

Photo: Great Smokies Buffalo Nut, courtesy: Google images.

Buffalo Nut
(Pyrularia pubera) Poisonous

December: December 8th - The Festival of Christmas Past at Sugarlands Visitor Center. Mammals in various states of deep winter sleep include Black Bear, Woodchuck, Chipmunks, and Jumping Mouse. Witch-Hazel, a small tree, blooms with bright yellow flowers.

Smoky Mountain Wildflower Trails
Trail information courtesy: NPS

Gregory Ridge Trail
The first two miles of this trail offer good wildflower viewing. To get there, take Cades Cove Loop Road just past the Cable Mill area. Turn onto Forge Creek Road and follow it to the end.

The Kanati Fork Trail begins about 1⁄8 mile north of the Kephart Prong footbridge on the Newfound Gap Road (US-441), eight miles north of Oconaluftee Visitor Center. The Kanati Fork Trail climbs for three miles to intersect with the Thomas Divide Trail on Thomas Ridge. You don't need to walk the whole way to see good wildflowers. The first mile or two have the best displays, especially in early spring.

Schoolhouse Gap Trail
An easy trail that gently climbs 2.2 miles from Laurel Creek Road to School House Gap. This route includes a wide array of spring and summer flowers, including some unusual species. The trailhead is 3.9 miles west of the Townsend “Y” on the road to Cades Cove.

Appalachian Trail
The two-mile section between Newfound Gap and Road Prong Trail has good flowers from mid-April through May. Park at Newfound Gap and cross the road to the trail sign.

Little River Trail
The Little River Trail is a relatively wide and level footpath which follows the scenic Little River toward its headwaters. The trailhead is located on a side road which begins just before you enter Elkmont Campground. The first two miles of the Little River Trail provide good wildflower viewing from mid-March through April. By adding the Cucumber Gap and Jakes Creek trails, you can make a pleasant 5.1 mile loop hike.

Middle Prong Trail
A walk on this old road will reward the hiker with flowers as well as waterfalls. In the first two miles you may see foamflower, toothwort, violets, wood sorrel, and trilliums. The trail starts at the end of Tremont Road, which begins just west of the Townsend “Y.”

Cove Hardwood Self-guiding Nature Trail
This 3⁄4 mile loop trail offers some of the best spring wildflower viewing in the park. It begins at Chimneys Picnic Area, 4.4 miles south of Sugarlands Visitor Center on the Newfound Gap Road (US-441).

Porters Creek Trail
This trail often has spectacular wildflowers from late March through April. The trailhead is located in the Greenbrier area (follow highway US-321 about six miles east of Gatlinburg). The first 1.5 miles of trail offer good wildflower viewing. Trail information courtesy: NPS

Trails To See Wildflowers - Area Hiking Info - Wildflowers by the Month - See Park Service Map