2017 Spring Wildflower Pilgrimage in Great Smoky Mountains set for April 11-15, 2017 in Gatlinburg | May We See in Spring New Shades of Green We’ve Never Seen Before!

Many have asked if the wildfires would prevent the 67th Annual Spring Wildflower Pilgrimage in the Great Smoky Mountains and the answer is no way! The popular event is scheduled for April 11-15, 2017 in Gatlinburg. Several trails were affected by the fires and the event planners are currently making adjustments to some of the outdoor programs. Registration for the Spring Wildflower Pilgrimage will begin on March 1, 2017 at 8:00 a.m.

2017 Spring Wildflower Pilgrimage in Great Smoky Mountains set for April 11-15, 2017

The 67th Annual Spring Wildflower Pilgrimage in the Great Smoky Mountains is a four-day special event that offers 100+ guided walks and indoor presentations that explore the Smokies’ lush, natural environments at one of the best times of year!

Guided walks and hikes are led by naturalists and National Park staff allowing participants to view first-hand the awe-inspiring beauty of the Great Smoky Mountains and learn more about the most biologically-diverse place on planet Earth! Indoor sessions take place at Mills Conference Center at the Gatlinburg Convention Center. This is an excellent opportunity to learn all about the wonders of the Smokies in springtime! There will be programs on wildflowers, trees, mosses, fungi, butterflies, bugs, birds, bears, cultural heritage, and more!

Registration is required for the 67th Annual Spring Wildflower Pigrimage in the Smoky Mountains either online at www.springwildflowerpilgrimage.org or onsite at Mills Conference Center at the Gatlinburg Convention Center. Follow the Annual Spring Wildflower Pilgrimage on Facebook.

Fire reminds us that nature is not static.  Ecosystems are processes, constantly changing from one state to another, with an ever-changing cast of characters fulfilling the vital roles of producers, consumers, and decomposers.  No matter how much we want it to, not even rock stays the same, eventually broken down by wind and water, tree roots or lichen.  Trying to keep things exactly the same is just a waste of time. Rachel Carson Center for Environment and Society.

We’re looking forward to seeing what new wonders the spring season will bring to the Smokies following last year’s wildfires. As a resilient Gatlinburg resident has said, “May we see in Spring new shades of green we’ve never seen before.” Join us for the 67th Annual Spring Wildflower Pilgrimage in the Smoky Mountains in April 2017!

In the meantime, take a peek at some beautiful Smoky Mountain wildflowers as filmed in the Greenbrier section of Great Smoky Mountains National Park and an area just outside the park!

More Hey Smokies Features:

No thumbnail available
LeConte Lodge 100th Birthday...
LeConte Lodge 100th Birthday. Nestled among the misty peaks of the Great Smoky Mountains, Mount LeConte Lodge stands as a testament to both[Read More >>]
No thumbnail available
Smoky Mountain Spring Time Activities...
Smoky Mountain Spring Time Activities. Spring is in the air in the Smoky Mountains! In addition to fine dining, go karts and live music get[Read More >>]
No thumbnail available
The Island St. Patrick's Day Celebration...
The Island St. Patrick's Day Celebration. The Island will host a free St. Patricks Day celebration with a jam session with Tuatha Dea. Tuat[Read More >>]
No thumbnail available
Cades Cove Burns...
Cades Cove Burns. Harnessing Fire: The Ecological Benefits of Prescribed Burns in Cades Cove. Nestled within the expansive Great Smo[Read More >>]
Blue Ridge Parkway
Blue Ridge Parkway...
Did you know that the Blue Ridge Parkway is connected to Great Smoky Mountains National Park? That's right; another National Park is attached to[Read More >>]
Smoky Mountain Full Wolf Moon
Smoky Mountain Full Wolf Moon...
Smoky Mountain full wolf moon is on the rise! Smoky Mountain Full Wolf Moon. Full Wolf Moon to rise on January 25, 2024. Mother Nature is g[Read More >>]
Wilderness Wildlife Week 2024
Wilderness Wildlife Week 2024...
Wilderness Wildlife Week 2024. Wilderness Wildlife Week is a week-long event that celebrates the natural beauty and wildlife of the Great S[Read More >>]
Smoky Mountain Black Bears Winter
Smoky Mountain Black Bears Winter...
Smoky Mountain black. bears. Always stay at least 50 yards away from Smoky Mountain wildlife. Smoky Mountain Black Bears Winter. Nestled wit[Read More >>]
No thumbnail available
New Year Black-eyed Peas And Greens Recipe...
New Year Black-eyed Peas And Greens Recipe. What is behind the Southern tradition of eating black-eyed peas and collard greens on New Years[Read More >>]
New Year's Eve Celebration At The Island In Pigeon Forge
New Year's Eve Celebration At The Island In Pigeon Forge...
Join the fun this New Year's Eve at The Island in Pigeon Forge! New Year's Eve Celebration At The Island In Pigeon Forge. The Island in Pige[Read More >>]
Christmas Cookie Recipe
Christmas Cookie Recipe...
Christmas Cookie Recipe. When the holidays arrive in the Great Smoky Mountains there are many HeySmokies sweet treat favorites but the tradition[Read More >>]
No thumbnail available
Smoky Mountain Parking Pass Scam Alert...
Smoky Mountain Parking Pass Scam Alert! Great Smoky Mountain Park officials are investigating an online scam selling fraudulent parking tag[Read More >>]
Aerosmith Rocks Smoky Mountains
Aerosmith Rocks Smoky Mountains...
Aerosmith Rocks Smoky Mountains on January 13, 2024. Get ready to welcome rock royalty, Knoxville! Aerosmith, the iconic band that has def[Read More >>]
Fun Filled Christmas Activities At Biltmore Mansion
Fun Filled Christmas Activities At Biltmore Mansion...
Fun-Filled Christmas Activities at Biltmore Mansion. As the holiday season sweeps across the Blue Ridge Mountains, the Biltmore Estate tran[Read More >>]
Smoky Mountain Campfire Ban Expires
Smoky Mountain Campfire Ban Expires...
Smoky Mountain Campfire Ban Expires beginning Wednesday, November 29, 2023. Precipitation, cooler temperatures and shorter days allow for [Read More >>]
Smoky Mountain Aero Club
Smoky Mountain Aero Club...
Smoky Mountain Aero Club. Since 1936 Radio controlled model airplanes have been cruising the skies at local airfields across the country. M[Read More >>]
No thumbnail available
Smoky Mountain Lakeview Drive Opens...
Smoky Mountain Lakeview Drive Opens. GSMNP is rehabilitating Lakeview Drive in North Carolina through Great American Outdoor Act funding. L[Read More >>]
Cades Cove Loop Lope
Cades Cove Loop Lope...
Cades Cove Loop Lope Cades Cove Loop Lope will be held Sunday, November 12, 2023 at 11 a.m. The park’s philanthropic partner, Friends of the[Read More >>]
Smoky Mountain Veterans Day Free Parking
Smoky Mountain Veterans Day Free Parking...
Smoky Mountain Veterans Day Free Parking! In honor of Veterans Day, visitors to Great Smoky Mountains will not be required to display or bu[Read More >>]
Gatlinburg Winter Magic And Chili Cookoff
Gatlinburg Winter Magic And Chili Cookoff...
Gatlinburg Winter Magic And Chili Cookoff. Join us for the kickoff of Gatlinburg's Winter Magic at the 34th Chili Cookoff presented by Bush[Read More >>]