Spring Wildflower Pilgrimage in Great Smoky Mountains National Park April 19-23! Online Tickets Available Now!
Make plans for the 66th Annual Spring Wildflower Pilgrimage in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park April 19-23, 2016. Tickets are now available online and there are some great free programs too! The Spring Wildflower Pilgrimage is held at one of the most incredible times of the year to be in the Smokies. Be sure to put this pilgrimage on your 2016 Bucket List!
The Spring Wildflower Pilgrimage is a fabulous five-day event celebrating springtime in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. As an International Biosphere Reserve, the Smokies’ lush, one-of-a-kind forest really springs to life in April!
Most of the programs for the pilgrimage are held out on the trails with expertly guided hikes exploring the park’s gorgeous display of wildflowers, abundant wildlife, cultural curiosities and natural history. Hikes are available for all skill levels.
All programs will be held rain or shine; worry not, there are plenty of motorcade trips with short walks and lots of outstanding indoor programs and workshops available at Mills Conference Center in downtown Gatlinburg and nearby Sugarlands Visitor Center Training Room.
Some of the free events that are open to the public with no registration required are:
Spring Wildflower Pilgrimage Artist-of-the-Year Reception @ Arrowmont School of Arts & Crafts
Wednesday, April 20, 2016 @ 5:30 – 7:30 pm
Nelson Zieglar’s painting “Roaring Fork” was selected for this year’s pilgrimage brochure and commorative t-shirt. His artwork will be exhibited in the Wolpert Gallery on Arrowmont’s campus until April 24, 2016.
A Celebration of People and Their Land with Bill Landry @ Mills Conference Center
Wednesday, April 20, 2016 @ 7:30 – 8:30 pm
Bill Landry shares his archive of videos of people telling about their lives during and before the formation of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Landry has legions of fans from his award-winning television program, The Heartland Series seen locally on WBIR-TV Channel 10. Landry is also the author of several popular books on Southern Appalachian culture including “Tellin’ It for the Truth.”
Live Team Great Smoky Mountains Trivia with The Trivia Guys @ Mills Conference Center
Thursday, April 21, 2016 @ 7:30 – 8:30 pm
Do you know how many different kinds of Trillium are found in GSMNP? You may be surprised to found out how many… (just in case the guys ask, it’s 25) Join all the fun with Andy Key with Knox Trivia Guys tests your knowledge of our national parks and more! Learn cool trivia you didn’t know and win some great prizes for your current database of knowledge. Cash bar and free refreshments!
Celebration Our National Parks Through Images with Steve Bohleber @ Mills Conference Center
Friday, April 22, 2016 @ 7:30 – 8:30 pm
Nature photographer Steve Bohleber shares his awe-inspiring journey of our treasured National Parks from Maine to Hawaii through his personal photography collection. Additionally, Bohleber has hiked more than 500 miles in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and has some captured some unique images with his camera.
For a complete list of the 140+ programs and workshops for the Spring Wildflower Pilgrimage, download the 66th Annual Spring Wildflower Pilgrimage Brochure. After you’ve reviewed the variety of morning, afternoon and evening programs and workshops, visit Online registration for the 66th Annual Spring Wildflower Pilgrimage!
All events are covered by Registration Fees: Adults $50 for 1 day or $75 for 2 or more days; Students $15 for 1 or more days (college/high school status will be verified with ID at on-site registration); Children 12 and under are free when accompanied by a registered adult. All children must be registered for programs they’re attending as well.
Check out this awesome video of the Annual Spring Wildflower Pilgrimage 2013 produced by the Great Smoky Mountains Association.
