The 5 Best Times to Visit The Great Smoky Mountains
Posted by Leif Palmer in Seasons Smoky Mountains
Each year, some 10 million people visit Great Smoky Mountains National Park, and an even higher number spend some amount of time in the neighboring communities of Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge and Sevierville. That's because in addition to the beauty and unspoiled nature of the national park, the outlying areas offer travelers so many options for having a little bit of vacation fun – from theaters and attractions to shops and restaurants.
But planning a trip to the Smokies usually involves choosing a time of year to make that journey. Honestly, any time is a good time to visit the Smokies, but some are better than others. Factors like number of visitors, weather conditions, special events and prices all come into play, which is why this week, we'll put in our two cents when it comes to prioritizing the best times to head to the mountains.
- Autumn – This is almost a no-brainer. That's when the leaves are changing colors, and the weather offers a mild transitional period between the heat of summer and the cold of winter. Most of the area attractions (except for water parks and the like) are still going strong, and there are lots of craft fairs and other fall-themed special events taking place. It's one of the peak tourist times of the year, but if you visit during the middle of the week, there won't be as much congestion as on the weekends. Many families traveling to the Smokies in autumn plan their trips to coincide with their children's school fall breaks.
- Spring – As in autumn, the weather is much milder, but in spring, the tourist numbers haven't quite reached full strength yet, so you can take advantage of shorter lines at restaurants and attractions. Plus traffic isn't so bad either. If you visit the national park, you'll get to see all the blooming wildflowers and other natural signs of spring's arrival, and it's the season when Dollywood theme park opens for the year. A lot of folks schedule their travel to coincide with their kids' spring breaks.
- Summer – Obviously, this is the peak season, because it's warm, and most families get their biggest chunk of vacation time in summer. Everything's open for business, from music theaters to water parks, and it's prime time for doing things in the national park like fishing, camping and hiking. Yes, the days can get a little warm and humid, and traffic can get fairly heavy in summer, but it's not the most popular season to visit the Smokies for nothing.
- Winter – Those who come to the Smokies in winter may miss out on a number of attractions that aren't open rest of the year, and yes, it can get a little chilly around here in winter, but lodging rates tend to be lower in this traditional off season, and Smoky Mountain Winterfest is a huge draw. The annual festival offers four months of winter- and holiday-themed special events as well as millions of lights on display from one end of the county to the other.
- This weekend – Why not? Not every trip to the Smokies has to be a huge family vacation. If you live close enough, maybe you just want to get away with the spouse for a couple of days or take the kids to play somewhere for the morning or afternoon.

About Leif Palmer
Leif Palmer loves residing in the Smoky Mountains. He is an avid outdoorsman: rowing for exercise on the lake, trail hiking, and free climbing rocks in the mountains. He indulges his arty side by periodically beating up pieces of marble by sculpting. He is always frustrated by his inability to sink long putts, and hates his curly hair (but his wife loves it). Leif has been known to muster enough courage to change a diaper, and hopes his son will become a chip off the old block.
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