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#6 on this list
Great Smoky Mountains National Park
North Carolina / Tennessee
Spring wildflowers start in the low elevations.
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#7 on this list
Hill Country
Texas
Bluebonnet season peaks late month along country roads.
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Specs side by side
| Spec | Great Smoky Mountains National Park | Hill Country |
|---|---|---|
| Elevation Range | 875 to 6,643 feet | — |
| March Temperatures | Valley highs near 60°F; crest lows below freezing | — |
| Land Area | Over 522,000 acres | — |
| Entry Fee | Free entry; paid parking tag required | — |
| Backcountry Rules | Permits and designated site reservations required | — |
| Primary Access Corridors | US-441 via Gatlinburg, TN and Cherokee, NC | — |
| Primary Terrain | — | Karst limestone uplands, spring-fed rivers, savannah |
| March Weather | — | Highs in low 70s F, lows in upper 40s F |
| Public Land Ratio | — | Under 5 percent; mostly state parks and river easements |
| Signature Flora | — | Texas bluebonnet, Indian paintbrush, Ashe juniper |
| Key River Corridors | — | Guadalupe, Frio, Llano, Pedernales |
| Park Access Rule | — | Online day-use reservations required at major state parks |
What our reviewers liked and didn't
Great Smoky Mountains National Park
- Lower valley trails showcase the country's best early-season wildflower blooms
- Thinned deciduous canopy opens wide panoramic views hidden in summer
- Far fewer visitors and vehicle backups compared to peak summer and fall
- High creek levels create dramatic waterfall flow across the park
- Frequent weather closures on high mountain corridors like Newfound Gap Road
- Widespread mud and saturated trails demand technical footwork and gaiters
- Harsh elevation-dependent temperature drops create high hypothermia risks
Hill Country
- Mild early-spring temperatures ideal for hiking before brutal summer humidity sets in
- World-class late-March wildflower blooms across rural farm-to-market road cuts
- Reliable spring river levels for paddling before seasonal summer dry-downs
- Distinctive granite and limestone geological formations across regional parks
- Severe lack of public backcountry land due to private ranch holdings
- Heavy weekend crowds require booking state park day passes weeks in advance
- Sudden spring storms create dangerous flash flood conditions at low-water crossings
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