The best way to experience the Smokies’ wildflowers is to take a hike or stroll down one of the Park’s many clearly marked quiet walkways. However, several park roads also provide good wild-flower viewing from your vehicle. The following are some of the best park roads for viewing wild-flowers.

Laurel Creek Road - This paved, winding route fol-lows scenic Laurel Creek for seven miles from the Townsend "Y" (near the Townsend entrance to the park) to Cades Cove. Plants in bloom include fringed phacelia, columbine, blood-root, fire pink, Fraser sedge, yellow trillium, and many other species. Early April – May

Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail (opens April 1) - From Gatlinburg, TN, turn off the parkway at stoplight #8 and follow Airport Road into the park. Roaring Fork is a paved, but narrow, one-way loop road. No motorhomes or trailers. Wildflowers include spring-beauty, yel-low trillium, hepatica, large-flowered trillium, and violets. Early April – May

Clingmans Dome Road (opens April 1) - This seven-mile paved road runs from Newfound Gap to near the summit of Clingmans Dome. Plants in bloom include ser-viceberry, fire cherry, silverbell, witch-hobble, fringed phacelia, bluets, and spring-beauty. Mid- to Late May.

 

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