Springtime in the Smokies is truly something to behold. Winter fades and is replaced by new life as the mountains are transformed into a vibrant and fragrant wonderland. The area’s temperate climate makes for an eye-popping variety of ephemeral wildflowers that appear in all their natural splendor each spring.

Wildflower season starts in late March at lower elevations with smaller blooms like white trillium, columbine, crested dwarf iris, phacelia, purple violets, and pink lady slipper orchids. Then, as days pass and temperatures rise, the fresh, vibrant colors unfold into higher elevations, which means you get a wide window of opportunity to glimpse these bright and multi-hued beauties.

With over 1,500 species of flowering plants in the Smoky Mountains, 80 percent of them are wildflowers. And you can discover them all in these incredible spots for viewing spring wildflowers.

  1. Porters Creek

    In Porters Creek, located in the Greenbriar area of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, you’ll find some of the most incredible natural displays of spring wildflowers anywhere in the world. The groundcover is teeming with bright colors, which makes for some amazing photographs. Fringed phacelia blankets the ground all the way up to the cascading Walking Fern Falls. Along the way, you’ll spot large clusters of purple dwarf irises, mayapples, and bishop’s caps. Later in May, the white trilliums, little white squirrel corn, and Dutchman’s breeches are in full bloom.

  2. Little River Trail

    If you have young children, Little River Trail is a great wildflower hike. Located in the park’s historical district of Elkmont, this 4.9-mile roundtrip hike is a wide, flat gravel trail that rambles beside a tranquil stream with scenic views, historic cottages, a stunning 20-foot waterfall, and of course, spring wildflowers. You’ll see vibrant rhododendrons, yellow trillium, Canadian violets, hepaticas, and trailing arbutus. (Local tip: Come back in June to see the world-famous synchronized fireflies that visit this area every summer!)

  3. Schoolhouse Gap Trail

    A 2.2-mile trail with scenic mountain views, Schoolhouse Gap Trail begins at Laurel Creek Road and gradually increases in elevation with a slight incline up to Schoolhouse Gap. You’ll see Virginia bluebells, pink lady slippers, golden aster, and a variety of trilliums with each step forward.

  4. Blue Ridge Parkway

    Over on the North Carolina side of the Smokies, head to the Blue Ridge Parkway. The area’s high rainfall, rich soils, and mild climate come together to form the perfect home for a wide variety of species. Graveyard Fields and Craggy Gardens are two popular spots for spring wildflower viewing in the Smoky Mountains. In early spring, the forest floor is covered with wild ginger, spring beauty, trout lily, trillium, larkspur, foamflower, and jack-in-the-pulpit. Later in the wildflower season, you’ll see blooms like Turk’s cap lily, meadow rue, evening primrose, impatiens, turtlehead, aster, black-eyed Susan’s and so much more.

  5. Pisgah National Forest

    Pisgah National Forest boasts two phenomenal spots for viewing spring wildflowers. The fittingly named Pink Beds Valley is known for its vast fields of pink wildflowers, like mountain laurel and rhododendron. From the balds of Roan Mountain, a 6,285-foot ridge that runs along the state line between Tennessee and North Carolina, you’ll experience breathtaking panoramic views of the colorful rhododendron fields in the valley down below.

  6. Spring Wildflower Pilgrimage

    Since 1950, the annual Spring Wildflower Pilgrimage in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park has drawn hundreds of people from all around the United States and several other countries. They offer wildflower walks guided by professionals as well as educational exhibits and other opportunities to explore the Smokies’ invaluable natural and cultural resources. While the event is virtual this year because of COVID-19, it is still being held from May 8-16, 2021. Visit their website to register.

As you venture out into the Smokies on your search for the perfect spring wildflower photograph, please remember the time-honored advice: Take nothing but pictures, leave nothing but footprints.

Where to Stay After Exploring Spring Wildflowers in the Smoky Mountains

You’ll need somewhere to rest up after frolicking through the fields of wildflowers. Visit the STAY section of Smokies Adventure for recommendations on accommodations from cabins and chalets to classic roadside motels.