Tennessee is one of the most beautiful states in the country no matter the time of year, but there are just some spots in the Volunteer State that you just have to visit in the springtime. From field after field of blooming flowers to beautiful, verdant drives with mountain views, we’ve put together the best spots that you just absolutely have to visit this Spring before you won’t be able to experience them until next year. Once you see them, it’ll be easy to see why spring in Tennessee attracts visitors from across the world year after year.

1. Cheekwood Estate & Gardens

Cheekwood, 1200 Forrest Park Dr, Nashville, TN 37205, USA
Cheekwood / Facebook
Just on the outskirts of Nashville, Cheekwood Estate & Gardens is absolutely stunning in springtime. Their annual Cheekwood in Bloom event runs from March through April and features over 150,000 blooming flowers across the grounds.

2. Cades Cove

Cades Cove, Tennessee 37882, USA
Jared / Flickr
One of the most popular spots in the Great Smoky Mountains, Cades Cove is a beautiful drive any time of year, but in the Spring is when the wildflowers shine.

3. Roan Mountain State Park

Roan Mountain State Park, 527 TN-143, Roan Mountain, TN 37687, USA
Roan Mountain State Park / Facebook
Roan Mountain is known for its extensive rhododendrons across the mountain. The flowers bloom in late Spring, culminating in the annual Rhododendron Festival every June.

Hike the Raven Rock Trail in Roan Mountain State Park in this video from OnlyInYourState:

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4. Natchez Trace

Natchez Trace Parkway, Nashville, TN 37221, USA
Chris M Morris / Flickr
The famous route from Nashville to Natchez, Mississippi is a beautifully wooded drive any time of year, but the Spring features unique pops of colors that you won't find any other time of the year.

5. Ocoee River

Ocoee River, Tennessee, USA
Torrey Wiley / Flickr
The Ocoee River in Southeast Tennessee was home to the 1996 Olympic white water kayaking course, and if you visit the river in the Spring when the water is the highest, it's easy to see why this is one of the most intense rivers in the world.

6. Shelby Farms

Shelby Farms Park, Memphis, TN 38018, USA
rmskoke / Flickr
Memphis's largest park, Shelby Farms, is a great spot to escape from the city. The Spring is the perfect time to go when you can enjoy the freshly verdant grounds and walk the park's many trails.

7. Lookout Mountain

Lookout Mountain, TN 37350, USA
Jared / Flickr
Chattanooga's most prominent spot, Lookout Mountain comes to life in the springtime. Be sure to check out the beautiful gardens at Rock City.

Spring in Tennessee is a truly beautiful time of year. What are your favorite places to explore each spring in Tennessee? Share a story or two in the comments.

Once it gets hot outside, stay cool by exploring this little-known fossil cave in Tennessee. Don’t forget the snacks!

Few People Know About This Fossil Cave Hiding Right Here In Tennessee

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Springtime In Tennessee

Chris Muras | February 23, 2024

What are some things to do in Tennessee in spring?
Tennessee wakes up in the spring with wildflowers and wildlife peeking up from its winter hiding spots. Here are some things to do in Tennessee in spring that we think you'll enjoy:

  • Flowers and Food Festival, Pigeon Forge, TN: Dollywood is a popular theme park in the beautiful Smoky Mountains and this flower and food festival is pretty special. The entire theme park is decked out in colorful flowering plants and plant sculptures from elaborate peacock-shaped bushes to giant butterflies looking over the flower garden. The Umbrella Sky is also pretty amazing with a canopy of brightly-colored umbrellas seeming to float in the sky. The food aspect of the festival shouldn't be forgotten either with incredible BBQ, specialty mac n cheese, and sweet treats for everyone.
  • Cherry Blossom Festival, Nashville, TN: Another fantastic spring event comes to Nashville when the cherry blossoms burst into life with a fragrant splash of color. Look for the event around mid-April. The cherry trees in Nashville were a gift from Japan in which 100 trees were planted each year over a ten-year period. The ongoing celebration is an incredible event not only of natural beauty but friendship between the two nations.
  • Standing Stone Lake Trail, Hilham, TN: Going for a spring wildflower hike in Tennessee is one of our favorite activities. You'll find Standing Stone State Park in northern Tennessee. Standing Stone Lake Trail is a 4.4-mile loop trail that is perfect for a morning hike when the sun filters through the trees and the wildflowers wake with a dew-filled shimmer. You'll also enjoy multiple small creek crossings, wooden bridges, and even an old boathouse.

If your idea of a wonderful spring day includes walking through nature, you'll love our epic list of Tennessee hiking trails. Grab a map from AllTrails+ and start exploring.

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