Fall Creek Falls State Park Wildflower Pilgrimage slated

Fall Creek Falls State Park announces its annual Wildflower Pilgrimage set for April 5, 6 and 7. What better way to shake off the long winter?

There will be a variety of hikes, slide shows and talks that celebrate the Spring Awakening. Spring wildflowers such as trillium, bloodroot, trout lily and others should be breathtaking.

Planned are both easy rambles and all-day hikes into the park’s backcountry. There will also be several hikes, both easy and strenuous, into the park’s new acreage, areas that were acquired to protect the abundance of both plant and animal life. Other fun programs include pontoon boat cruises across Fall Creek Lake.

Keynote speaker Friday night will be University of Tennessee researcher Keith Bowman, who will discuss the park’s primitive plants. A night hike is also slated.

Chris Fleming will share his progress in identifying all of the park’s flowering plants Saturday night followed by a Star Talk for those wanting to get out into the fresh mountain air.

For more information about the Wildflower Pilgrimage, or other programs at the park, please call Betty Dunn Nature Center at 423-881-5708. For reservations at the Park Inn, call 1-800-250-8610.