2009 Spring Wildflower Pilgrimage

The annual Spring Wildflower Pilgrimage in Great Smoky Mountains National Park will take place from April 22 thru April 26 this year. The pilgrimage is a five-day event consisting of a variety of wildflower, fauna, and natural history walks, motorcades, photographic tours, art classes, and indoor seminars. Most programs are outdoors in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, while indoor offerings are held in various venues throughout Gatlinburg.

There will be more than 150 programs this year.

Registration begins on March 9. Fees for adults are $25.00 for one day; $40.00 for 2 or more days. Student fees are $10.00 for one or more days and children under 12 years of age are free.

For more information, visit www.springwildflowerpilgrimage.org or phone 865-436-7318 (ext. 222).

The Smoky Mountains are home to more than 1600 species of flowering plants. Wildflowers explode during the brief window just prior to trees leafing out and shading the forest floor (from about mid-April thru mid-May).

The following is a sample of some of the wildflowers you could possibly see:

Need help identifying all those flowers?

Check out Southern Appalachian Wildflowers. This would be a nice companion to have during the pilgrimage to help you identify the many wildflowers you'll be seeing. This field guide features wildflowers from the southern tip of the Appalachians in Georgia and Alabama to the Blue Ridge Parkway and includes Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Please click here for more information.

Jeff
HikingintheSmokys.com Detailed information on trails in the Smoky Mountains; includes trail descriptions, key features, pictures, video, maps, elevation profiles, news, and more.

Smoky Mountain Day Hikers Store Quality gear and apparel from some of the best outdoor brands.