6. Log in. 107 Park Headquarters Road As you drive across the mountains on Newfound Gap Road you will notice that the brilliant swatches of white and pink seem to be almost endless. Considering the fact that there are so many different varieties of the rhododendrons and azaleas, you need to understand that the plant can bloom at various times during the year. It's also the time of year when some famous flowering shrubs native to the Smokies begin to bloom. Catawba rhododendrons magenta flowers appear to paint rhododendron-covered ridges with a beautiful, purple wash. Like all other plants, your rhododendron is also going to require a considerable amount of care. Before you go: Now is the perfect time to start tracking your gardening progress, and I created a garden journal to do exactly that. Nights are mild, making it a great time of year to tent-camp or backpack. On Andrews Bald the peak is usually in early July. Give them what they need, and theyll give you what you need (without having to chase them) every spring. They are one of the most popular blooms to see in the park. Our mission at Wildlife Informer is to share free information and pictures of wildlife with our readers. The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is known around the world for its wildflowers with over 1,500 kinds of flowering plants, more than any other North American national park, according to its website. If you plan accordingly, you could enjoy these blooms for almost half a year or more! "You think you're stopping for these great mountain views and these mountain vistas, if you just stop to take in the great view, but if you look down at your feet, too, sometimes you'll find some amazing little gems right at your feet. Cup-shaped flowers, up to two inches across, are borne in clusters in shades of pale pink and white. The mountain laurel start blooming in May. 2016 William Britten Photography. In colder climates, the same can occur between the months of April and May. Where are the largest trees in the Park? Blooming time is April and May in the pine and oak forests at low to mid-elevations, but not until June or early July on the mountain tops. A number of species are cultivated . There are certain types of rhododendrons that are able to survive in temperatures as low as minus 25 degrees F. There are only a few other flowering plants that are able to survive in temperatures this low, and come out and bloom the next year as the seasons begin to change. The colors come from the species, not the weather. And where can I see them? As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Needless to say, when you visit, you'll be getting the best Tennessee has to offer. To avoid that, make sure you add a bit of peat moss or vermiculite into the mix as well. As has been said, each year is different so YMMV, as they will bloom at different times in different elevations. This cookie is set by Facebook to deliver advertisement when they are on Facebook or a digital platform powered by Facebook advertising after visiting this website. Come prepared, with hiking boots with good tread and a rain jacket. So what makes the Rhododendrons in Great Smoky Mountains National Park so special? Go Auto Touring on Historic Park Roads. Photos of wildflowers grouped by color will aid in identifying species found in the park. Porters Creek Trail. Learn where to to see the best spring wildflowers, Blood RootButtercupsColumbineDutchmans BreechesHepaticaJack-in-the PulpitMayapplePepper RootRed MapleSpice BushSpring BeautySquirrel CornTrout LilyVioletsWild PlumWind FlowerYellow-Root, ArbutusBlack HawBleeding HeartBlue SageBluetsBrook LettuceButtercupsColumbineCrested Dwarf IrisCucumber TreeDogwoodDutchmans BreechesFire PinkFoam FlowerFringed PhaceliaGolden RagwortIndian PaintbrushIronwoodJack-in-the-PulpitLarge FloweredBellwortMayappleMeadow Rue (early)PhloxRedbudService TreeSilverbellSolomons SealSpring Beauty (uplands)Squirrel CornStone CropTrailing Trillium (various)Trout LilyTulip PoplarVioletsVirginia BluebellWild GeraniumWild MustardWood Sorrel, Bleeding HeartBluetsBrook LettuceCalycanthusColumbineCrested Dwarf IrisCucumber TreeFlame AzaleaFoam FlowerHobble BushIndian PaintbrushLarge FloweredBellwortMagnoliaMountain LaurelPainted TrilliumService Tree (uplands)Silverbell (uplands)Solomons SealStone CropWhite AzaleaWild CrabWild GeraniumWild IrisWild Orchids (incl. It can be found from the south of Maine down to northern Florida, and as far west as Indiana and Louisiana. Beard-Tongue These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously. If peak color isnt as important to you, visit in September or November to get the same benefits with fewer crowds. Its also the parks driest time of year, with little precipitation and humidity decreasing. While several types of rhododendron exist, including azaleas, three are very often responsible for electrifying the views from Carolina trails. The cookie is set by addthis.com to determine the usage of Addthis.com service. The cookie also tracks the behavior of the user across the web on sites that have Facebook pixel or Facebook social plugin. The main drawback of visiting in autumn is the crowds. The blooms usually peak around the third week of June. Mountain Ash: June-July (bloom) Sep-Oct (berry) Higher elevation spruce-fir forests, Mt. These plants have a considerably longer blooming period, as we have already discussed, and you should know that the plant expends a considerable amount of energy each day just to maintain the blooms. Add an answer. Love the pictures,I never have been to the smokies in the summer I know the plants must be so beautiful this time of year. Rosebaby rhododendrons are also popular, and they tend to . But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. While folks flock to see the spectacular rhododendron displays in June, a short hike at Craggy Gardens along the Blue Ridge Parkway reveals a variety of wildflowers all summer long. When do Rhododendron, Flame Azalea, and Mountain Laurel bloom? The peak blooming period begins in early June at the 3,500 ft elevation. Catawba Rhododendrons are native to the eastern United States and grow mainly in the southern Appalachian Mountains, beginning in southern Virginia down through northern Alabama. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other. Get a free Great Smoky Mountains National Park trip planner for inspiring itineraries and essential information. Rosebay Rhododendrons are native to the Appalachians in eastern North America from Alabama up through Nova Scotia. 2009-01-06 21:22:54. Mountains Create. It is found only at elevations greater than 3,500 feet (1,067 meters) in the park, often alongside other rhododendrons on treeless shrublands call heath balds. The gardens are simply beautiful. Hi! The Appy Trail runs through it. One to four cubs are born during the mother's winter sleep, usually in late January or early February. Want to see pictures? Media Properties. In the Smokies the Laurel bloom primarily during May, while the Rhododendron come along in June and July. However, the peak wildflower season is mid-to-late April when the spring ephemerals make their appearance. Both can offer some early spring bloom sightings. Many popular park roads also close in the winter, including the road to Clingmans Dome and the Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc. These are just a few of the beautiful wildflowers you might spot while hiking in the Smoky Mountains. Over 200 different species of rhododendrons can be found high up in the Hengduan Mountains. Another perk of visiting in the spring is watching . While you might experience balmy and cloudless 70-degree days, you might also encounter rain or even snow flurries at higher elevations. No one knows the origin of the mountain's name. If time allows during your Smoky Mountains vacation, please stop in at the William Britten Gallery on Glades Rd in Gatlinburg where my complete display of photos may offer you a special Smokies memory to take home! A brilliant flowering shrub-tree, the rhododendron has more than a thousand species, although only 27 (including azaleas) are native to North America. October, when the foliage is at its peak, is usually the second highest visitation month of the year. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The blooms appear first at the lower park elevations in June, but can be seen at all elevations < 5,000 ft by July and August. This is used to present users with ads that are relevant to them according to the user profile. Example video title will go here for this video. Throughout most of the year, both types of rhododendrons are dark green with oily looking leaves. Like most national parks, summer is the most popular time of year to visit Great Smoky Mountains. Different rhododendron species bloom at different times of the year, normally from late March to late June. On Gregory Bald the colorful display peaks in late June or early July. The Great Smoky Mountains are truly a sight to behold. They like to grow on rocky slopes and in mountainous forest areas. The third weekend of June is also home to two Rhododendron Festivals. As long as you take care of these things, your plant is going to grow and reward you with beautiful blooms for several months! We did this hike today (over 14 miles up Bullhead trail to Mt LeConte and down Rainbow Falls trail). This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. Thats much longer than any other kind of flower out there, and its a great way to keep your garden in beautiful condition. Bead Lily, Speckled Wood Lily Blooms: May-June Clintonia umbellulata Common in rich, moist deciduous woods. The selected locations are referenced to Parkway milepost markers beginning with Milepost 0 at Rockfish Gap in Virginia and ending at Milepost 469 in North Carolina. They typically bloom from mid-March through April, with large green leaves and 6 to 10 white petals that open in full sun and close at night. The hike is more than 5.6 miles and the elevation climbs quite a bit. Your experience may vary, but now that you know the primary variables temperature, elevation and date you should be able to chase the bloom yourself. They register anonymous statistical data on for example how many times the video is displayed and what settings are used for playback.No sensitive data is collected unless you log in to your google account, in that case your choices are linked with your account, for example if you click like on a video. If you're wondering when the best time to visit the Smoky Mountains is so you can see the wildflowers, start planning your trip soon! With towering trees, bustling waterways and rolling mountainsides, it is truly a shining example of nature's beauty. If you are looking for the very best place to be in a rhododendron garden, then north of the GSMNP in the Cherokee National Forest is Roan Mountain. Rhododendron maximum, also known as Big Laurel, forms dense thickets, some as high as 20 feet, that are critical to the health of Southern Appalachian forests and the wildlife that dwell there. Blooms: August-September Angelica triquinata Commonly found in North Carolina Mileposts 294.7, 339.5, 355 Also at Craggy Gardens and Nature Trails Aster Blooms: September Aster spp. When pioneer botanist William Bartram discovered flame azaleas in 1791, he described the plant as certainly the most gay and brilliant flowering shrub yet known. Rhododendrons in bloom on the Alum Cave Trail in Great Smoky Mountains National Park (Photo: Andrea Neal) Like most national parks, summer is the most popular time of year to visit Great Smoky Mountains. The Mountain Laurel are similar to, and often mistaken for, Rhododendron. Ephemerals appear before deciduous trees leaf out, when full sunlight is streaming to the forest floor. Are the rhododendrons blooming in the Smokies? Ultimately, what this means is that the flowering period is susceptible to change from one year to another. Flame azaleas bloom at the low and mid-elevations in April and May. In addition to certain standard Google cookies, reCAPTCHA sets a necessary cookie (_GRECAPTCHA) when executed for the purpose of providing its risk analysis. The leaves of Rhododendrons are similar to Mountain Laurel, but the buds and blooms are different. Includes information on suggested walks, hikes, and drives in the park, as well as wildflower conservation. Parking tags may be purchased online, or on-site. Alternatively, you may use, Baymont by Wyndham Gatlinburg on the River, Holiday Inn Club Vacations Smoky Mountain Resort, an IHG Hotel, The Park Vista - a DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel - Gatlinburg, Westgate Smoky Mountain Resort & Water Park. My name is Lisa, and Im on a mission to expand my plant knowledge. The Rhododendron in the Smoky Mountains fall to two types: Rosebay and Catawba. This garden has one of the best collections of rhododendrons you will find in the Smoky Mountains. The Porters Creek Trail is a moderate 7 mile out and back trail that is a popular destination in the spring because of its stunning wildflower displays! At a Glance General Information (Heres What to Expect), not going to be able to sustain the blooms. What is blooming now in Smoky Mountains? Mountain laurel is often confused with rhododendron, but is in a different genus, Kalmia. Found predominantly on grassy balds in the southern Appalachians. I have seen people report that if you want to drive by a nice mix of both Catawba and Rosebays, you can drive on Newfound Gap Road from the Sugarlands Visitors Center to Oconaluftee Visitors Center. Rain and afternoon thunderstorms are common, so keep an eye on the weather and plan to get your hiking done early in the day. Its all part of the thrill for those chasing the bloom, but the rewards are the exquisite colors and fresh scents of the flowers. . The famous displays on Gregory Bald bloom in mid to late June and on Andrews Bald in late June. Other plants and shrubs vary according to the elevation so along the Cherokee and GSMNP. . Another great choice, as you can probably tell by the name, is the Laurel Falls Trail. The flowers appear earlier in the southern reaches of the Appalachians, so Pennsylvania often doesnt see rhododendrons until June or even July. Full of expansive views, gorgeous trees and flowers, great hiking, plentiful history and abundant wildlife, Great Smoky Mountains National Park is a must to add to your East Coast bucket list. Spring in the park is one of the best times of year to visit. But, this is a general estimate, and you need to understand that not all varieties of the rhododendron will bloom in spring. The colors vary, and if you have several kinds of rhododendrons in your garden, it wont be long before the entire garden is covered in different hues. There are primarily two types to look for. Later in summer sourwood, a tree prized for the honey that bees produce from its small bell-shaped, white flowers, begins to bloom. Click into your cross-country skis and take in the breathtaking views from the top of Clingmans Dome. In Cataloochee, you might hear the sounds of elk bugling or see bulls tussling during the annual elk mating ritual known as the rut. Harvest festivals abound in the nearby towns, and orchards around the park are awash in apples and pumpkins. Your email address will not be published. Reply. Wondering if the trails you want to hike are currently covered in snow? In fact, the park is sometimes referred to as the Wildflower National Park. From the earliest hepaticas and spring-beauties in the late winter to the last asters in the late fall, blooming flowers can be found year-round in the park. There were several pull offs along the river to stop and enjoy them. Trusses of white and pale pink were everywhere, arching over the trail and framing vistas of waterfalls along the stream. The famous displays on Gregory Bald bloom in mid to late June and on Andrews Bald in late June. Many rhododendrons bloom when the snow is still melting, and the temperatures tend to fall relatively low during the nighttime. Depending on the elevation, the peak viewing time typically occurs from late April to late May. Along the highest peaks it flowers in late June. There are two main types of rhododendron that grow in our Smoky Mountains. Flame azalea can also be seen on Balsam Mountain Road. For the best views, take a low-elevation hike by the end of June and a hike at higher elevations in July. Like so many plants this spring, the dogwood blooms are about three weeks earlier than usual. Rhododendrons bloom in June and early July, and mountain laurel in May-June. No How To Tell if a Cat is Feral 6 Things To Look For, 6 Types of Water Snakes in Illinois (Pictures), Roan Mountain at the top there is a Rhododendron garden full of Catawbas. The tallest Purple Rhododendron in the nation grows in the Smoky Mountains at a height of 25 feet! The Catawba rhododendron is the source of the pinkish swatches of color that cover the high elevations. Temperatures and other weather conditions can trigger an early season or a late season, while different rhododendron species typically blossom at different times. The rhododendron thrives beautifully in climates that receive a higher amount of rainfall, and the plant does equally well during the moist summers. If youre willing to brave the cold, volatile weather and road closures though, youll find uncrowded trails and a magical wonderland when the snow falls. There are so many amazing wildflowers to enjoy in the Smokies! If the soil starts to become waterlogged, this could lead to a bunch of problems with the plant. To use our mobile site, please enable JavaScript. Eleven species of native shrubs in the Rhododendron genus live in the park: rosebay rhododendron, Catawba rhododendron, Carolina rhododendron, Piedmont rhododendron, flame azalea, smooth (or sweet) azalea, Cumberland azalea, pink azalea, early azalea, clammy (or swamp) azalea, and minniebush. Its flowers are an interesting roundish cup shape. Rhododendrons are native chiefly in the north temperate zone, especially in the moist acidic soil of the Himalayas and into Southeast Asia to the mountains of New Guinea. The Catawba rhododendron is native to the eastern edge of the United States, and they tend to have bright pink and purple flowers. Makes for a great family hike. Females with newly born cubs usually emerge from their winter dens in late March or early April. The predominant species are the Catawba and Rosebay. Mountain laurel blooms in early May through June, according to the park. Heres our guide to the pros and cons of visiting Great Smoky Mountains National Park in every season. They are both beautiful shrubs and among the most eagerly awaited wildflowers blooms in the Smokies. You need to understand that most gardeners generally break up the blooming periods into different seasons, typically characterizing them as the early season, the midseason, and the late season.. Catawba rhododendron, which lives primarily at elevations above 3,500, reaches it peak of bloom in June. The cookie is used to store information of how visitors use a website and helps in creating an analytics report of how the website is doing. Rhododendron Creek Trail. When Do Geraniums Bloom? Moderate 4.3 (562) Great Smoky Mountains National Park. These relatively small flowers are native to the Eastern United States and grow best in partly sunny locations, such as deciduous hardwood forests. Craggy Gardens. The second most popular location to view the Flame Azaleas is to hike the Andrews Bald in late June. This is when many families take their summer vacation, so park visitation is usually close to its peak. Spring Ephemerals Are The Big Kahuna of Smoky Mountains Wildflowers. Get access to more than 30 brands, premium video, exclusive content, events, mapping, and more. The higher you go in the mountains, the later the bloom season. Print/PDF map. The main source of these colors are the vast quantities of rhododendrons that cover the landscape. In the mountains of central Pennsylvania, rhododendron usually bloom in late June and early July. Some of the largest are found in the Greenbrier section of the Park. While wildflowers are visible roadside along Highway 441, and many of the other sideroads, the best place to see the numerous varieties of wildflowers and spring blooms are the on the hundreds of miles of hiking trails in the park. Used to track the information of the embedded YouTube videos on a website. Some of its most famous species are mountain laurel, rhododendron and flame azaleas. The Blue Ridge Parkway, which runs through the Appalachian Mountains from southwestern North Carolina up into Virginia, provides excellent vistas for flower-chasers. Great Smoky Mountains Association 2010.Catawba Rhododendrons, a favorite flowering shrub of park visitors, are blooming right now in the Great Smoky Mounta. They can often be found growing along streams and in shaded ravines, even roadsides. These are just a few things that you should keep in mind when it comes to caring for the rhododendrons and making them grow properly while extending their blooming period as well. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics". The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance". The best thing about these blooms is that they can actually last quite long. Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. The trail was strewn with delicate blossoms knocked off by recent rains. Although azalea shrubs are grouped in the Rhododendron genus (members of the heath family), most people think of rosebay or Catawba when they consider rhododendron. A common question asked by people visiting Great Smoky Mountains National park during the spring and summer months is, when do the Rhododendrons bloom in the Smokies? Amazon has updated the ALB and CLB so that customers can continue to use the CORS request with stickness. Flame Azalea blooms can be found in many colors, mainly peach, yellow, orange and red. What time of the year do rhododendrons bloom in North Carolina? Below shows the pineapple-shaped bud of a Rhododendron. The park is famous for its displays mountain laurel, rhododendron and flame azaleas. Leave it there for somebody else to enjoy.". Great Smoky Mountains National Park is a world-renowned preserve of wildflower diversityover 1,500 kinds of flowering plants are found in the park, more than in any other North American national park. Since the rhododendrons colors are most vibrant when they first blossom, finding them is a time-sensitive matter. Great Smoky Mountains Association 2010.Spring is here and the Flowering Dogwood trees are in full bloom! The strenuous trail takes hikers to the prestigious Gregory Bald, which is one of the most popular hiking spots in the Great Smoky Mountains. You will want to make sure that you provide a high-quality liquid fertilizer and add it after every few weeks to the plant. The blooms usually peak around the third week of June. Many rhododendrons bloom when the snow is still melting, and the temperatures tend to fall relatively low during the nighttime. Growing up with a mom who filled her home (inside and out) with all sorts of plants, Lisa got her start in gardening at a young age. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. Wildflower . When blooming, they have bright pinkish-purple flowers. Rhododendrons bloom in clusters. Good places to see it include Andrews Bald, Alum Cave Trail, the Blue Ridge Parkway, and above the Chimney Tops Trailhead. Johns WortTurtle HeadWild Asters (early species)Yellow-fringed Orchid, Asters ( various)Blue GentiansBonsetFleabaneGerardiaGolden AsterGoldenrodIronweedLobeliasSunflowersYarrow, Bryson City - Swain CountyChamber of Commerce 210 Main StreetP.O. So a clump that you were particularly taken with last year may not bloom at all this year. more information on current conditions mountain laurel, rhododendron and flame azaleas. You should know that the plant usually requires at least three weeks to turn a conventional bud into a full grown flower. The White, or Rosebay, variety is most often seen along the creeks at all elevations. "To protect and preserve, we really need to respect those trails and take into consideration what stepping off the trail is actually doing. People. Its white and pink flowers bloom from early May through June on trails and roadways throughout the park. Search out clumps of them in the park and take some pictures, use them as a backdrop for your family portraits or maybe even plop down and have a picnic at the side of a stream near a rhododendron in full bloom. 47: No. Showy trees such as serviceberry, silverbell, flowering dogwood, redbud, Fraser magnolia, and tuliptree soon follow. On Jun 22, 2021 June is a popular time of year to visit the Smokies! They are usually found only at elevations at or above 3,500 ft. A true high mountain bloomer. To get to Spence Field, hike the Anthony Creek trail to the end, then pick up the Bote Mountain Trail all the way to the top. The Purple, or Catawba, variety is more often seen at high elevations along hillside trails. The higher in elevation you go, the later the peak bloom time is. It thrives around streams and in ravines at elevations below 5,000 feet. Pisgah. Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. There are perks to visiting in the warmer months, but if you can avoid the crowds and heat of the summer months, wed suggest it. Azaleas bloom in pink, red, orange, yellow, white, purple, and lavender. Traveling on weekdays helps to avoid the heavy traffic during the spring flower season on the parkway. This cookies is set by Youtube and is used to track the views of embedded videos. Thanks! Catawba is the rhododendron of the Smokies high mountains. The gardens usually peak the third week of June. Parking Program Info, More than 1500 species of wildflowers are native to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, more than any other national park. These cookies are set via embedded youtube-videos. You will have to make sure that you provide some frost protection, and when you do that, you will notice that the bloom period will be slightly extended. 37738, Download the official NPS app before your next visit. In 1799, the plant collector John Fraser discovered Catawba Rhododendron growing in the Great Smoky Mountains on a summit "which commands a view of five states." Fraser and his son brought plants back to Britain in 1809 where it soon became a valuable Rhododendron for breeding with species from Russia and the Himalayas. The blooms appear first at the lower park elevations in June, but can be seen at all elevations < 5,000 ft by July and August. Blooming time is April and May in the pine and oak forests at low to mid-elevations, but not until June or early July on the mountain tops. June 16-18, 2023 Two Rhododendron Festivals (North Carolina and Tennessee) are held in the Roan Mountain area ( see our Roan Mountain Guide) on the third weekend of June. When blooming they produce beautiful white flowers. ", RELATED: Pickers and pics hurt wildflowers in Smokies, Appalachian Trail: access at Newfound Gap or Clingmans Dome; 2-mile section between Newfound Gap and Road Prong Trail has good flowers from mid-April through May, Cades Cove: one of the most popular destinations in the park; on the Blount County side; several trails connect here, Chesnut Top: strenuous difficulty; 8.5 miles roundtrip; in the Townsend area; several species bloom throughout the spring, Chimneys Picnic Area: off Newfound Gap Road; closes at 8 p.m. April 30 - Aug 31 and at sunset on other dates, Cosby Nature Trail:easy difficulty; roughly 1.1-mile loop; near Cosby in Cocke County, Tennessee; March and April are peak months for wildflowers, Cove Hardwood Self-Guided Nature Trail: easy difficulty; less than 1-mile loop; begins are Chimneys Picnic Area on Newfound Gap Road; offers some of the best spring wildflower viewing in the park, Huskey Gap Trail:moderate difficulty; 10 miles roundtrip; near Gatlinburg; best wildflower viewing times between April and May, Kephart Prong Trail: moderate difficulty; 4.2 miles roundtrip; North Carolina side of the park, Little River Trail: easy difficulty; near Elkmont; first 2 miles of the Little River Trail provide good wildflower viewing from mid-March through April, Middle Prong Trail: moderate difficulty; 8.3 miles round trip; near Tremont on the Blount County side of the park; leads to Indian Flat Falls; first 2 miles you may see foamflower, toothwort, violets, wood sorrel and trilliums, Mingus Mill:near Oconaluftee Visitor Center; near Cherokee, North Carolina, Oconaluftee River Trail:easy difficulty; 3 miles roundtrip; near Cherokee, North Carolina; peak time to see wildflowers in April, Porters Creek Trail: moderate difficulty; 4 miles roundtrip; on the Sevier County side in the Greenbrier area; flowers peak in late March through April in the first 1.5 miles of the trail, Whiteoak Sinks:easy difficulty; 4.6 miles roundtrip; near Townsend, RELATED: Great Smoky Mountains temporarily limits group sizes for Whiteoak Sink, Andrews Bald:moderate difficulty; 3.5 miles roundtrip; near Clingmans Dome; Catawba rhododendron and flame azalea peak in early July, Gregory Bald:strenuous difficulty; 11.3 miles roundtrip; access in Cades Cove;one of the most popular and stunning wildflower displays typically in the summer around mid-June.