Wildflower viewing heats up when temperatures cool down in Gatlinburg. Every autumn, “Wildflower National Park” (AKA The Smokies) enthralls hikers, flower seekers, and casual visitors with a striking show of floral splendor.

Many come for the fall foliage and keep returning for the mesmerizing wildflower vistas. Beyond the 100 species of trees and another 100 species of shrubs, Great Smoky Mountains National Park is home to 1,500 species of flowering plants. That’s more floral species than any other destination in North America!

Planning a trip to Gatlinburg this autumn? Make time to stop and admire the wildflowers! We’ve rounded up some of the most beloved seasonal blooms.

Goldenrod

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Goldenrod fall wildflowerExploding across the Smokies in late summer and early fall, Goldenrods earn their name honestly. Shooting from the ground like tall rods festooned in gold, the plants fill the gap between summer and winter with warm wonder. Many of the nearly 100 species are native to North America. Much more than a roadside weed, goldenrod is disease resistant and provides a glorious show in golden hour.

Black-eyed Susans

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Black-eyed Susans fall wildflowerTravelers of all ages enjoy perennial Black-eyed Susans, popping up across mountain ranges with delightful yellow blooms punctuated by chocolate-brown centers. Spot them on the edges of woodlands, in mountain meadows, and across wide-open spaces. Birds and butterflies love them as much as we do!

Blue Gentians

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Blue Gentians fall wildflowerPronounced “gen-shuns,” these pretty periwinkle wildflowers bloom in the Smokies from fall through the end of the year. Three different gentians grow around Gatlinburg, all bearing blue to purple tubular-shaped flowers. 

Joe-Pye-Weed

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Joe-Pye-Weed fall wildflower

With such a manly moniker, you might never guess that Joe-Pye-Weed’s nickname is “Queen of the Meadow.” It’s true – Joe’s tall, regal, and beautiful. Autumnal in season and coloring, Joe-Pye-Weed thrives in meadows (as its nickname suggests) and along low-lying spring beds.

Choose your favorite, save the memories, but do not pick the flowers! Wildflower picking is illegal in Great Smoky Mountains National Park and forbidden elsewhere around Gatlinburg. Whether you’re planning a wildflower hike or just passing through in your vehicle, make time to savor fall wildflowers in Gatlinburg – while leaving them where you found them.

Wildflowers

Whether you’re a hardcore hiker or just love a quiet walk in the woods, there are plenty of pathways into the forests of the Smokies. There are more than 100 species of trees and another hundred species of shrubs–more than in all of northern Europe combined.

Yellow fringed orchid