Just imagine looking out and seeing beautiful tall, yellow sunflowers as far as the eye can see! There are a few spots in East Tennessee where you can do just that! Knoxville Moms rounded up a list of the local sunflower fields and farms including details about what you can enjoy and expect when you visit.
Keep in mind, the sunflower season is short. It’s about two weeks once they start blooming. That means you and your family should start making your plans to see this incredible natural wonder right in our own backyard!
Sunflower Fields in East Tennessee
Blue Fence Farms
3300 Douglas Dam Road
Kodak, TN 37764
(865) 207-0871
A third-generation family farm in Kodak has a new beginning in growing sunflowers. This will be the second year for sunflowers so be sure to check the Blue Fence Farms Facebook page for the latest information. Admission, which includes one sunflower, is $8.00 for adults and $4.00 for children ages five to 11. Children four and under are free. Military and group discounts are offered. Additional flowers and vases will be available for purchase. Cash and cards are accepted.
Nightfall Acres
13100 West Lee Highway
Philadelphia, TN 37846
(423) 781-6191
This will be the second year for this Loudon County sunflower farm but the farmers are no stranger to the area. Nightfall Acres is a project of the family behind the popular Halloween attraction Dead Man’s Farm. The new endeavor is scenic, not scary. This year Nightfall Acres is holding a Sunflower Fest from June 27th to July 28th. Visitors can explore the sunflower fields, take plenty of pictures and even pick a bouquet of sunflowers or zinnias to bring home. There will also be photo ops, hayrides, farm animals, food and more! Adult tickets are $8.00. Admission is $5.00 for children ages four to nine and children three and under are free. Cash, credit and debit cards are accepted.
Rustic Gate Farm
830 Dunlap Hollow Road
Friendsville, TN 37737
(423) 228-0774
This you-pick flower farm offers sunflowers and other flower varieties like zinnias. A quart jar bouquet is $20/$25, a vase of flowers is $28, and a kid’s jar is $10. Cash and cards are accepted. Rustic Gate’s hours vary so be sure to check the farm’s Facebook page before you make the drive.
Smith-Perry Berries
9626 Ooltewah Georgetown Road
Ooltewah, TN 37363
(423) 228-0774
This sunflower spot may be a further drive from Knoxville, but Smith-Perry Berries is well-known for a reason. The farm typically plants about 34-acres of sunflowers. That’s about 850,000 blooms! The farm is open during daylight hours for guests to view, pick and photograph the sunflowers. It is free to visit and you can purchase a bucket and cut as many sunflowers as you like for $15. The sunflowers are expected to be ready in mid-July. The exact opening date hasn’t been set yet, so follow along on the Smith-Perry Facebook page for updates.
Forks of the River Wildlife Management Area
3140 McClure Lane
Knoxville, TN 37920
1-800-332-0900
After a year off, Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency officials said there will be sunflowers at Forks of the River in 2024. This year will be a spectacular show. Crews planted close to 30-acres with sunflowers. To mark the occasion, the Legacy Parks Foundation is hosting a “Sunflower Celebration” on Saturday, July 13th from 9:00am-12:00pm. There will be guided walking and bicycle tours of the sunflower fields. In addition, there will be vendors and food trucks. For more information on the celebration, visit the Legacy Parks Foundation website. There are no fees to visit Forks of the River. It’s open during daylight hours. Forks of the River is located just past the Ijams Nature Center.
