Cherokee Botanical Garden and Nature Trail

The Cherokee Botanical Garden stretches along Mount Noble slopes with a nature trail running through mixed pine and hardwood forests. Along the path, visitors pass mossy rocks and small streams in this wooded setting.

The garden was established in 1953 to showcase native plants of the Great Smoky Mountains and preserve knowledge about the region. This founding was part of a broader effort to make Cherokee history and culture accessible to visitors.

The garden displays plants that have been grown in this region for generations, including corn and beans significant to the Cherokee community. Visitors can see how these plants thrive in their natural surroundings and understand their role in daily life.

The garden sits next to the Oconaluftee Indian Village and is accessible from Route 441. Wear comfortable shoes as the trail goes over rocks and under trees.

Many plants in the garden grow in their original natural habitats rather than in artificial garden beds. This creates a genuine, unmanaged forest experience for visitors.