A highlight of the spring season in the Smokies is the gorgeous wildflowers that bloom throughout the region! The best way to celebrate these magnificent flowering plants is with the Spring Wildflower Pilgrimage, an annual event in Great Smoky Mountains National Park that features professionally-guided walks, exhibits, and other learning opportunities to explore the region’s rich natural and cultural resources! Here are the top 4 things to know about the Spring Wildflower Pilgrimage:
1. What to Expect
The Spring Wildflower Pilgrimage is an annual nonprofit event that welcomes guests from all over the world to learn more about the stunning wildflowers and other natural wonders in Great Smoky Mountains National Park! During the event, there are many guided walks and other activities to explore features of the park such as fungi, ferns, trees and shrubs, medicinal plants, insects, salamanders and snakes, birds, and mammals. There are also multiple programs that focus on activities such as journaling, art and photography, and park history. The spring event takes place in early May each year.
2. Planning to Attend Activities
Before registering for the event, attendees should browse through the program for the Spring Wildflower Pilgrimage. This detailed program lists all of the activities, as well as a detailed description of each activity, time, location and logistics. Select the activities that you would like to attend on each day, and then plan to have a few alternatives (the event is very popular and space is limited for each program).
3. Registering for the Event
Once you have selected a list of potential programs, you are ready to register for the Spring Wildflower Pilgrimage! If you see a program on the registration portal, it will have at least one spot available. Once a program or hike has filled, it will automatically close and no longer show up on the registration page. If your desired program is no longer available, keep your eye on the registration system as people can modify their itineraries up until a week or so before the event! Note that if you are registering multiple people, each person in your party needs an independent registration tied to an independent email address.
4. Staying Close to the Program Locations
Stay close to the Spring Wildflower Pilgrimage program locations with affordable lodging at our hotel in downtown Gatlinburg! We are situated just minutes away from Great Smoky Mountains National Park, as well as dozens of shops, restaurants and attractions outside of the park! We offer a variety of comfortable room types to meet your needs, all which include balconies overlooking a mountain stream, gas fireplaces and Keurig coffee makers! While staying with us, you can also take advantage of our excellent amenities such as a free continental breakfast, complimentary wireless Internet access and free parking!
Check out all of the rooms at our hotel in downtown Gatlinburg today to stay close to Great Smoky Mountains National Park and the Spring Wildflower Pilgrimage! We look forward to seeing you soon!
