Fire on the Mountains! Gregory Bald is in Flames!


The fire on the mountains in the Smokies seen in June and July can be deceiving. Those fiery bright patches of orange, red, and white are actually Native Azaleas! Flame Azaleas (Rhododendron calendulaceum) are the prominent bright orange blooms. Flame Azaleas are native to the Appalachian Mountains with ranges from southern New York to Alabama and as far west as  southeastern Ohio. In the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Gregory Bald is one of the best places to see a spectacular display of native azaleas.

There are four known varieties of native azaleas on Gregory Bald; and due to the perfect combination of the right elevation (4,950), an open grassy area, and an abundance of pollinators like bees and butterflies, these native azaleas hybridize to produce an unparalleled variety of colors in shades of orange, red, pink, yellow and white. You can find Sweet Azalea (Rhododendron arborescens) that is white, Swamp Azalea (Rhododendron viscosum)  also white and smells like honeysuckle hence it’s also known as Honeysuckle Azalea. And the Cumberland Azalea (Rhododendron cumberlandense); it blooms orange and is often confused with the Flame Azalea, but it blooms in late June through August. These boisterous, deciduous shrubs create amazing displays of color on the high mountain ridges in the summer.

Hiking To Gregory Bald

Gregory Bald may be accessed via trail only. Drive half-way around the Cades Cove loop and turn right onto Forge Creek Road just past the turn to the Cable Mill Visitor Center. At the end of the road turn onto Parson’s Branch Road (a one-way road) and continue approximately 7 miles to the trailhead. The trail stretches 4.5 miles to reach Gregory Bald and climbs slightly over 2,000 ft. to an elevation of 4,950 ft. above sea level. In June, on the hike up, you will see the evergreen Catawba Rhodendron in bloom with its enchanting pink blossoms. In addition to these spectacular flower displays there are beautiful unobstructed views of Cades Cove! If you undertake the climb to the Bald be sure bring water and your 10 Essentials for hiking. The water source on this trail is often dry so be prepared. Gregory Bald is comprised of 14 acres for you to wander, so consider the time spent hiking around the bald in addition to the 9-mile roundtrip hike. It’s a good idea to begin your hike early in the day.

Native Azaleas on the Blue Ridge Parkway

If you’re not up for the 9-mile roundtrip hike to Gregory Bald, you can also enjoy the beautiful displays of Flame Azaleas along the nearby Blue Ridge Parkway. The Parkway is easily accessed at its southern terminus in Cherokee, NC. Beginning here at Blue Ridge Parkway Mile Post 469 (MP 469) you can drive along the mountain high country to Mt. Pisgah at MP 408 and see some exquisite displays of flora. This 61-mile trek will take around 2 hours one-way to drive since the speed limit on the Parkway is between 35-45 mph and there are many interesting sites to stop and see along the way. Be sure to visit the Waterrock Knob Visitor Center and Richland Balsam which is the highest point on the Parkway at 6,047 ft. elevation. For Blue Ridge Parkway Weather and Road Information, call 828-298-0398. For more info visit BlueRidgeParkway.org.

History of Gregory Bald

Gregory Bald is named after Russell Gregory. Gregory’s family, like other pioneers in the Smokies, were shattered by the outbreak of the Civil War. Most families on the Tennessee side of the mountains remained loyal to the Union while those to the South sided with the Confederacy. The Gregory family was fractured when Russell’s son, Charles Gregory, decided to join the Southern cause. Southern troops routinely raided areas like Cades Cove to steal supplies and conscript residents into the army. Cove residents devised a plan to warn themselves of approaching danger. Children were sent to the entrance points of the cove to play. When enemy troops were spotted the children would blow a warning on their horn. It was during one of these incursions that Charles Gregory recognized the sound of his father’s long rifle as their attack was repelled. Charles identified his father and the next day soldiers snuck back into the cove and murdered Russell Gregory. Russell is buried at the Primitive Baptist Church in Cades Cove. Decades after the murder the community forgave Charles for his transgressions and he was buried along side his father.

More Hey Smokies Features:

Five Best Hikes To Mount LeConte
Five Best Hikes To Mount LeConte...
Five best hikes to Mount LeConte. LeConte Lodge is the only overnight lodging, other than camping, available within the borders o[Read More >>]
Cades Cove Car Ban
Cades Cove Car Ban...
Cades Cove car ban is under way. Cades Cove Car Ban will end September 24, 2024.  Cove visitors are encouraged to arrive in the afternoons a[Read More >>]
Gregory Bald Native Azaleas
Gregory Bald Native Azaleas...
Gregory Bald Native Azaleas. Gregory Bald, a crown jewel of the Smokies, is renowned for its breathtaking displays of native azaleas and un[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 >>]
LeConte Lodge 100th Birthday
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 >>]
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
Synchronous Fireflies in Great Smoky Mountains June 2024...
Synchronous Fireflies in Great Smoky Mountains June 2024. These aren’t your average backyard lightening bugs; these particular bioluminescent b[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 getting[Read More >>]
No thumbnail available
Ramsey Cascades Closed...
Ramsey Cascades Closed beginning April 15, 2024. GSMNP will close Ramsey Cascades Trail on weekdays while trail crews finish the full-scale[Read More >>]
No thumbnail available
Eighties Throwback Party At The Island...
Eighties Throwback Party At The Island. This will be a fun night of nostalgia for the entire family. Mark your calendar for May 18, 2024 [Read More >>]
No thumbnail available
Smoky Mountain Skunk Washing Competition...
Smoky Mountain Skunk Washing Competition! Nothing smells like spring in the Smoky Mountains like the annual skunk washing competition! No-one n[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. Tuatha D[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 Smoky M[Read More >>]
No thumbnail available
Smoky Mountain Full Wolf Moon...
Smoky Mountain Full Wolf Moon. Full Wolf Moon to rise on January 25, 2024. Mother Nature is getting ready to howl as the Full Wolf Moon rises [Read More >>]
No thumbnail available
Smoky Mountain Black Bears Winter...
Smoky Mountain Black Bears Winter. Nestled within the misty expanse of the Great Smoky Mountains, a population of black bears thrives in a habi[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 >>]
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 >>]
No thumbnail available
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 defined[Read More >>]
No thumbnail available
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 transfor[Read More >>]
No thumbnail available
Smoky Mountain Campfire Ban Expires...
Smoky Mountain Campfire Ban Expires beginning Wednesday, November 29, 2023. Precipitation, cooler temperatures and shorter days allow for camp[Read More >>]