Fallen rhododendron petals line a trail on Grassy Ridge Bald, Pisgah National Forest, North Carolina, USA

Follow the petal-strewn path

Pisgah National Forest, in the US state of North Carolina, boasts 500,000 acres of mountainous peaks and cascading waterfalls that attract hikers, anglers, mountain bikers and more. But from mid-May to mid-June, the crowds flock here to hit trails that lead to incredible views of acres of native Catawba rhododendrons in full bloom.

This particular trail leads to Grassy Ridge Bald, one of several treeless, grassy ridges found in Pisgah’s Roan Mountains. The area boasts not only Catawba rhododendrons, but also huge swaths of orange flame azaleas and wildflowers. If you’re lucky, you may even spot the rare Gray’s Lily, which was first discovered on Roan Mountain.