2024 Sunflower Fields at Knoxville’s Forks of the River Wildlife Management Area
The Knoxville sunflowers are back for 2024! If you love sunflowers and taking walks in nature, the sunflower fields at Knoxville and the Sunflower Festival is for you.
Knoxville Sunflower Fields 2024
About 40 minutes from our house is one of the most stunning sights I’ve seen. Well, there are several sights like that near me but this one is like no other.
Over the years we’ve visited the Forks of the River Wildlife Management Area near Ijams Nature Center several times. It has over 70 acres of stunning sunflowers in South Knoxville. It’s breathtaking, to say the least.
The flowers usually bloom in early July and it’s a sea of golden yellow. There are a few different varieties with some as tall as 6 feet! Others are 3 to 5 feet with smaller flowers and more delicate petals, like the ones above and below.
These are the giant 6′ tall flowers.
There’s so much pollen! If you suffer from allergies, make sure you’re aware of the amount of pollen these flowers produce and take any medications needed.
2024 Knoxville Sunflower Festival
After giving the sunflower fields a rest last year, they’re back for 2024! Although you can see them any day, the Sunflower Festival will have some special events. Here’s what you can expect:
- Bike Rides
- Guided hikes every hour
- Food trucks at Ijams Quarry
- 70 acres of spectacular sunflowers
Where are the sunflower fields in Knoxville?
The fields are located at the Forks of the River Wildlife Management Area, 3140 McClure Lane, Knoxville, TN
When is the 2024 Knoxville Sunflower Festival?
The sunflower festival will be held on July 13th from 9 am – 12 pm.
Where can I park to see the Sunflower Fields during the festival?
There will be limited parking at Ijams Nature Center or Ijams Quarry for $5. Or you can park at the Maynard Glenn Ballfields, 2100 McClung Avenue, for free and ride a shuttle.
Can I visit the Sunflower Fields any time?
Yes! The fields are open during the week. You can park at Ijams Nature Center and walk along the gravel roads and paths or wander through the fields at the Forks of The River Wildlife Management Area.
What to bring to the sunflower fields:
- Water bottle
- Sunscreen
- Tick repellant
- Camera
- Hat
- Comfortable shoes – there are over 70 acres of flowers!
- Wear lightweight, light colored clothing
- Be patient, sometimes there are a lot of people there and parking is very limited
When is the best time to see the sunflowers?
The sunflowers are usually in bloom during late June or early July when it’s very hot in this area. So the best times to view them are early in the morning.
MORE SUNFLOWER FIELDS: There are several other privately owned sunflower fields in the area. Here are some other ones for you to visit if you’re interested:
- Nightfall Acres in Philadelphia, TN – Sunflower Festival from June 27th through July 28
- Smith-Perry Berries in Ooltewah, TN – details about their sunflower fields and visiting hours are on their Facebook page
- Narramore Farms in Kingston, TN – visit their Facebook page for more information
The best thing to do when you go to the sunflower fields? Have fun and enjoy the view!
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Have you ever been to this or any other sunflower fields? I’d love to know where you’ve been. Leave me a comment below and let me know!
Went to both North and South Dakota last year and loved the flowers . I live 2 hours from you so plan to be there next week. Are the flowers in full bloom yet? So looking forward to our visit.
Mary
Hi Mary.
The sunflower fields at the Forks of the River won’t be in bloom this year. They give the fields a break every few years and this is the year. There are a few other sunflower fields you can visit that are within an hour from Knoxville. I’ve updated the post and added links to their information. Enjoy your visit!!
If you ready the story you will get all of your answers 👏🗣
Will it be open to the public this year?
Hi Erica. As far as I know it’s open to the public but I don’t think they’re in bloom yet. They usually start to bloom sometime in late June through mid-July. Check with Ijams nature center to find out for sure.
Love nature art.
That's such a sweet nickname. These sunflowers were on public land and were free to visit. I'm not sure about any other ones but I hope you get to visit some.
I have never got to go to a Sunflower field before. I have been wanting to take my daughter for the longest cause she loves Sunflowers due to her nickname from my parents was sunshine. My father passed away a year ago and I'm wanting to take her to one and take pictures. I know nothing about these fields. Do they cost to visit?