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Smoky Mountain spring wildflowers in Cades Cove meadow

4 Can’t-Miss Smoky Mountain Spring Events

February 4, 2025

There are so many great things happening in the Smoky Mountains this spring! From exciting outdoor activities to friendly competitions to educational opportunities, there’s something for everyone to enjoy this season! Keep reading to discover some of the can’t-miss Smoky Mountain spring events that you’ll want to add to your calendar.

1. Start of Smoky Mountain Rafting Season

group of people raftingOne of the most exciting Smoky Mountain spring events is the start of white water rafting season! Our Upper River Rafting trips start in March and include an exciting 6.5-mile ride down the Pigeon River. You’ll encounter anywhere from class 1 to class 4 rapids, providing a thrilling trip that you won’t soon forget! You’ll be paired with a certified guide to safely navigate your raft during the entire trip down the river. This is an excellent way to bond with family and friends, as each raft holds up to 7 guests! You won’t want to miss this exciting adventure this spring!

2. Spring Wildflower Pilgrimage

Another one of the favorite Smoky Mountain spring events is the annual Spring Wildflower Pilgrimage. This four-day nonprofit event features professionally guided walks, exhibits, and other opportunities to learn about the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The event includes photographic tours, natural history walks, art classes, indoor seminars, and more! You’ll learn about wildflowers, fungi, medicinal plants, insects, wildlife, photography, journaling, and the history of the national park. If you love the Great Smoky Mountains and want to learn more about this fascinating ecosystem, you won’t want to miss this spring event!

3. Gatlinburg Springfest

Gatlinburg sign with spring flowersGatlinburg Springfest takes place from mid-March through mid-May. This Smoky Mountain spring event celebrates the beauty of the season throughout downtown Gatlinburg. Local businesses decorate with spring-themed decor, each with their own unique flair. As you walk the streets of Gatlinburg, you’ll see vibrant flowers and spring displays everywhere you turn! Participating businesses compete for the title of Best Spring Decorations through the Gatlinburg Springfest People’s Choice Awards. You’ll have the chance to vote for your favorite spring decorations, and the business with the most votes wins!

4. Dollywood’s Flower & Food Festival

One of the popular Smoky Mountain spring events is Dollywood’s Flower & Food Festival. Celebrate the splendor of springtime as the theme park blooms to life with spectacular colors! You’ll see beautiful blossoms throughout the park, including larger-than-life Mosaicultures and artful displays! Savor the flavors of spring with offerings such as the Honey Garlic Chicken Skillet, Honey & Peach Bar-B-Q Sandwich, Lemon Cannoli, and Dragonfly Lemonade. There are also entertaining springtime performances across the stages and streets of the theme park, with live music floating around every corner. Don’t forget to capture a photo beneath the picture-perfect Umbrella Sky!

These are just some of the exciting Smoky Mountain spring events that you won’t want to miss. There are so many other great things to do and see this time of year, too, and you’ll want to experience it all! Find out even more reasons to look forward to spring in the Smoky Mountains this year and start planning your trip!