Off the Beaten Path: The World’s Largest Natural Rhododendron Gardens
Straddling North Carolina and Tennessee, Roan Mountain is located along the border of the Pisgah National Forest (NC) and Cherokee National Forest (TN). Unless you’re an avid hiker and familiar with popular sections of the Appalachian Trail, you’ve probably never heard of Carver’s Gap, which is the jumping off point to reach the amazing Catawba rhododendron gardens on the mountain.
The area is loaded with scenic hikes, including wide expanses of highlands with unobstructed views of the knobs and the five summits along Roan Mountain. To reach the gardens, park at the Roan High Bluff Trail Head parking area, located on State Road 1348 in Bakersfield, North Carolina. The ideal time to visit is from early to mid-June, when the flowers are in full bloom.
Spend a little more time in the area by booking a cabin at Roan Mountain State Park, located at the base of the mountain in Tennessee. Time your visit to attend the NC Rhododendron Festival on June 16-18, 2022, and the Roan Mountain Rhododendron Festival on June 18-19, 2022.
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