Fred Hamilton Rhododendron Garden

The Fred Hamilton Rhododendron Garden is a botanical garden on Lake Chatuge's shore with over 3,000 plants from 400 varieties of azaleas and rhododendrons. The site spans 33 acres and also contains dogwoods, ferns, and magnolias throughout its grounds.

The garden was founded in 1982 by Fred Russell Hamilton and his wife Hazel, who brought an extensive plant collection from their travels. This personal legacy of over 1,000 cultivars forms the foundation of what exists today.

The garden hosts an annual Rhododendron Festival from April to May, drawing nature lovers with live music, art shows, and food from the region. This season brings the most visitors and celebrates the blooming cycle that defines the place.

Visitors can walk several trails ranging from one to two miles, each offering different views of the plantings. The site has parking areas, restrooms, and self-guided maps available at the entrance.

The site holds the largest collection of native azaleas and rhododendrons in the southeastern United States, a distinction many visitors overlook. The combination of this rare plant collection with the lakeside setting creates something uncommon in the region.

GPS coordinates: 35.01750,-83.79111

Latest update: December 14, 2025 14:23