Wander Through Wildflower Fields At This Unmatched Tennessee State Park
By Mina Elwell
VACATIONS
Often overlooked in favor of Great Smoky Mountain National Park, Tennessee's Frozen Head State Park and Natural Area is one of the most beautiful places in the area.
Getting its name from its snow-capped peaks, Frozen Head is an impressive 24,000 acres of dense forest that offers a taste of real wilderness, unaltered by humans.
The park bursts into colorful wildflowers in March, April, May, and June. There are various places for spotting wildflowers, such as the relatively easy Emory Gap Falls Trail.
You can also see the wildflowers from the road. The nearby route from Armes Gap to Historic Brushy Mountain State Penitentiary is often lined with flowers.
There are around 80 miles to explore in Frozen Head State Park and Natural Area, like the short, easy Debord Falls route that will take you by many small waterfalls along the way.
For a more challenging trail, take the Lookout Tower Trail. It will likely take you more than 6.5 hours, but the hike is through a beautiful forest with spectacular views.