If you have never been to the Great Smoky Mountains during spring, you should definitely plan a trip and come during this time of year! Flowers are starting to bloom, leaves are turning green, and everything just feels fresh and new again. You will find that there are plenty of fun things you can do in the national park in the spring. Here are the top 3 reasons you should visit the Great Smoky Mountains in the spring:
1. Warm Weather
When spring comes to the Great Smoky Mountains, so does warmer weather. All of the ice from winter melts, and you can enjoy being outdoors without the biting chill of cold weather. Since the weather is warming up, there are so many activities you can enjoy. Pack a cooler full of sandwich stuff or another meal you can enjoy and head out to the picnic areas in the park. You can spend time with your family while enjoying a meal out in nature. Then after you eat, you can go on a nature walk! If you want to see a little more of the national park, the warmer weather is also a great time to go for a longer hike. Go see Grotto Falls or check out The Sinks if you want to see cool water features.
2. Wildlife Coming Out
Spring is a great time to come if you want to see wildlife in the Great Smoky Mountains. All the animals that hibernate are waking up and getting out to find food. People who birdwatch come in the spring since birds are out and about trying to find the perfect place to build a nest. Bees and butterflies are out pollinating among the wildflowers. Early in the morning you might see white tailed deer out in a meadow looking for food. Other animals you might see include rabbits, elk, and even black bears. Spring is a great time to come if you want to see wildlife!
3. Wildflowers are Blooming
People come from all over the country to the Great Smoky Mountains to see the incredible variety of wildflowers in the spring. There’s a whole event dedicated to it called the Spring Wildflower Pilgrimage. However, you don’t have to participate in this event if you want to see wildflowers. We want to share some of the best places you can go to see a variety of wildflowers in the mountains!
Porters Creek Trail
Porters Creek Trail is a 7 mile out and back trail that is considered easy. You’ll find historic buildings along this trail, and you’ll walk along the creek. Some wildflowers you can see include white trillium, violets, May apples, and Jack in the Pulpits.
Schoolhouse Gap
Schoolhouse Gap Trail is a 3.8 mile trail that is considered easy. Some wildflowers you will see include Virginia bluebells, beaked violets, pink lady’s slippers, and sun drops.
Rich Mountain Loop
Rich Mountain Loop is located inside Cades Cove. It is considered difficult and is 8.5 miles roundtrip. However, it has the most variety of wildflowers than other trails. You will find black-eyed Susans, butterfly weed, mountain laurel, flame azalea, and violets.
Middle Prong Trail
Middle Prong Trail is an 8.3-mile roundtrip hiking trail that is considered difficult. You can see a couple of waterfalls along the trail, and wildflowers you will see include violets, crested dwarf iris, wood sorrel, and trilliums.
There are so many reasons why you should visit the Great Smoky Mountains in the spring. Here are the top things to do in the Smoky Mountains in the spring you should try!
