Rhododendron Gardens

Absolutely breathtaking! I’d always seen photos from the Rhododendron Gardens but had never made it there to see it myself. Photos just don’t do this beautiful place justice. If you’re going during busy season, definitely get there early, especially if anyone in your party has trouble walking. It was pretty busy when we went up, but still had a great experience and everyone was very kind.

We were past the peak blooms, but some of the bushes were still very pretty. Cost $3 to park (pay rangers). Bathrooms available. Hiking involved.

Hit this after driving up to carvers gap on a Monday in July. It was 69 degrees ! Was amazing considering middle of summer. Did a short walk around the sidewalks after parking in the little lot. Spent prob 30 mins total. Only saw a few other people

It was a wonderful experience. A warm sunny Sunday about 10 degrees cooler at the gardens than it town. I picked up a beautiful anniversary gift for my wife at the festival

A beautiful park, but it was devastated by Helene. The rhododendrons were an amazing sight.

Concrete sidewalks meander down to a nice observation deck above the rhododendron. Well maintained.

This was a great hike with a great view and beautiful trails! The drive there is beautiful too. We went there the last week of June and it seemed the rhododendrons were already past their prime, but they were still bloomed and pretty! It was extremely cold and windy at first, but getting into the trail it was comfortable. It was quite foggy when we went, but it made for quite the enchanted forest scene! Definitely want to go again!

The rhododendron gardens are beautiful. You can drive straight up to the gardens with 2 parking lots and public restrooms at both parking lots. The upper parking lot also has a picnic area. The whole garden features sidewalks so wheelchairs/strollers will have no problem. We visited mid June 2023 and the rhododendrons were not really blooming yet. It was still a lovely garden but if you can make it when the rhododendrons are blooming I bet that is a site to see! You can also park in the lower Carvers Gap main parking lot and hike up to the garden which is about 3 miles. This is what we did. The trail intersects the Appalachian trail. You pass a shelter on the trail. The trail is well established. You encounter roots. Most of the trail is like walking thru a creek bed. We encountered flowing water in part of the trail. No problem to walk through. Where you turn to go to the gardens there is a short trail that goes to a lovely vantage point.