Springtime is one of the best times to visit Tennessee, but it's over quickly and sometimes shows up late. She's a fickle friend, here in the south, and Roan Mountain has come to explode with blooms not in the heart of spring, but the very end of it, near the brink of summertime. It seems a strange time for the eastern part of the state to color itself with flowers, but this beautiful mountaintop knows exactly what it's doing, and shows off year after year.
Roan Mountain in East Tennessee is beautiful at any time of year. With plenty of trails covering the face of the mountain, there are dozens and dozens of breathtaking views just waiting to be discovered. But there's one time of year when the mountain particularly shines.
Every year in late May or early June, the mountains natural rhododendron garden bursts to life, covering the mountain with patches of the beautiful purple flower.
The thing that makes this spot so special is that Roan Mountain is actually the largest natural rhododendron garden in the world! It's no wonder folks from all over flock to this tiny town every year.
Every third weekend in June, the town of Roan Mountain, located at the base of the mountain, even holds a festival to honor the blooms and the local heritage of the area.
The mountain itself is more than 6,200 feet tall, making it one of the tallest mountains east of the Mississippi. If you can make it to the top, you'll be well rewarded.
Roan Mountain itself is a state park, complete with campsites, cabins, and more than 12 miles of trails across the face of the mountain.
The festival for the rhododendrons happens but once a year, but you can see the beautiful blossoms for yourself pretty much any time in the first half of June. We'll see you out there!
The mountain is lovely, but these seven magical hiking trails will also give you a glimpse of the wildflowers in Tennessee.
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