24th Annual Wildflower Saturday
Friday, May 6th & Saturday, May 7th, 2016 |
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 Wildflower Saturday is an annual event held in DeSoto State Park atop Lookout Mountain in Fort Payne, Alabama.
Springtime at DeSoto State Park is truly beautiful, with wildflowers & trees blooming around every corner. Join DeSoto State Park staff & guest speakers for a wonderful weekend of learning about the many species of blooming plants found on Lookout Mountain. Choose to stay the whole weekend, or just come for the day to enjoy the hikes and programs.
Times: Friday Welcome Social-6:00 till 7:15 p.m. at DeSoto State Park Lodge
Saturday: 9:00, 1:00, & 3:00 hike times, with a presentation at DeSoto's Lodge at 7:15 p.m (All times are Central Time Zone)
Fee: Free & Open to everyone. No pre-registration required.
FRIDAY NIGHT PROGRAM:
 Watching Monarchs
Join Christine Bock from the Tennessee Aquarium to hear the fascinating story of the monarch butterflies long journey from Mexico to Canada and back (via GA) .Learn some simple steps you can take to protect monarchs and their habitat! Free milkweed and butterfly flower seeds (as supplies last)
Date: Friday, May 6, 2016
Time: 6:00 p.m.
Where: DeSoto State Park Lodge
Fee: Free & open to everyone. Great for all ages!
Saturday Night Program:
 Wildflowers of Alabama
Few states have the diversity and variety of wildflowers that are found in Alabama. From the northern mountains to the southern coastal plains, Alabama's landscape is blanketed with a diverse array of wildflowers and native plants. Many species found in Alabama are also common throughout the southeastern United States, including spring-blooming flowering trees and shrubs. Join botanist Wayne Barger from the State Lands Division of the Dept. of Conservation & Natural Resources for a photographic tour of many species of plants found throughout our beautiful state.
Date: Saturday, May 7, 2016
Time: 7:15 p.m.
Where: DeSoto State Park Lodge-Fort Payne, Alabama
Fee: Free & open to everyone. Great for all ages!
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Saturday Hikes: DeSoto's trails can vary from fairly flat terrain to slightly steep inclines & rocky ground. Each hike is marked for its difficulty level. Be sure to wear appropriate footwear & bring along water & snacks along on the hikes. Throughout the course of the day you will be able to choose from 3 separate hikes during the day, each hike with different leaders.
Trail Maps & Wildflower Checklists can be found at the Lodge, Country Store and Nature Center.
All presentations & hikes are free to the Public and no registration required!
We ask that groups over 10 please RSVP to help us make everyone's wildflower experience better.
2016 Hike Leaders:
Wayne Barger, Christine Bock, L.C. Moon, Francine Hutchinson, Robert Carter, Steve Threlkeld, Jay Clark, & Brittney Hughes
Contact Info:
Brittney M. Hughes,
Park Naturalist at DeSoto State Park
7104 DeSoto Parkway NE Fort Payne, AL. 35967
Office: 256.997.5025 OR Fax: 256.845.8286
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 Starts on DeSoto's Azalea Cascade Boardwalk and ends at the Country Store.
Meets behind DeSoto's Country Store on the deck
Hike Times: 9:00 a.m.
1:00 p.m.
3:00 p.m.
Easy to Moderate
This hike has the easest terrain, suitable for people with limited mobility or younger children. Starts out along the Talmadge Butler ADA-Accessible Boardwalk Trail & continues along for both an elevated & ground-floor view of the hardwood forest. Ends at Azalea Cascade, with an option to venture off of the boardwalk on a trail that ends back at the country store.
Various plants to see: Pink Lady Slipper, Mountain Laurel, Wild Ginger, Catesby’s Trillium, Galax, Trout Lilly, Sweet Shrub, Mountain Honeysuckle, Yellowroot, Dwarf Iris, New York Fern, Wild Geranium, Cucumber Magnolia, Wild Azalea, and much more. |
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 Starts at Indian Falls, follows the yellow trail and circles back to Indian Falls.
Meets outside DeSoto's Country Store on grass.
Hike Times: 9:00 a.m.
1:00 p.m.
3:00 p.m.
Moderate to mildly strenuous
Also classified as moderate to mildly strenuous, this hike starts at Indian Falls & goes down a slight incline to follow along the West Fork of Little River. Terrain is rocky with some minor rock-hopping next to the river. Trail curves around & starts a gradual curve up to the bluff above Little River & ends back at Indian Falls.
Various plants to see: Mountain Honeysuckle, Mountain Laurel, Catawba Rhododendron, Nuttall’s Rayless Goldenrod, Yellowroot, Oakleaf Hydrangea, Indian Cucumber Root, Wood Sorrel, Tag Alder, Ashy Hydrangea, Oxeye Daisy, Coral Honeysuckle, Flatrock Onion, Neverwet, Royal Fern, Joe Pye Weed, Cinnamon Fern, Rattlesnake Plantain and much more. |
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| The Rhododendron Trail Hike |
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 Goes from Country Store towards DeSoto's pool area and down the yellow trail, ending at Indian Falls. Meets at DeSoto's Nature Center
Hike Times: 9:00 a.m.
1:00 p.m.
3:00 p.m.
Moderate to mildly strenuous
Classified as Moderate to mildly strenuous because of the length and slightly rocky terrain; this hike is great for walking under the forest canopy & among flowing creeks. Follows along the bluff line overlooking the West Fork of Little River, and ends at scenic Indian Falls.
Various plants to see: Catawba Rhododendron, Wild Camellia, Rosebay Rhododendron, Yellowstar Grass, Wild Huckleberry, Mountain Laurel, Trailing Arbutus, Bluets, Solomon’s Seal, Catesby’s Trillium, Galax, Sweet Shrub, Fringe Tree, Partridgeberry, & much more. |
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Schedule At A Glance
Friday, May 6th~
6:00-7:00-Welcome Social & presentation by horticulturist Christine Bock-Lodge
Saturday, May 7th~
7:00 am-DeSoto’s Mountain Inn Restaurant begins serving breakfast buffet
9:00 am-Hikes start at DeSoto’s Country Store
11:30 am-DeSoto’s Mountain Inn Restaurant begins serving lunch
1:00 pm-Hikes start at DeSoto’s Country Store
3:00 pm-Hikes start at DeSoto’s Country Store
5:00 pm-DeSoto’s Mountain Inn Restaurant begins serving dinner buffet
7:15 pm-Presentation by state botanist Wayne Barger
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About Alabama’s State Parks System
The Alabama State Parks is a division of the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. The division operates and maintains 22 parks encompassing approximately 48,000 acres of land and water. These parks rely on visitor fees and the support of other partners like local communities to fund the majority of their operations.
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