Seasonal Activities

Important Information

There are so many great reasons to visit Gatlinburg throughout the year! Some of them are explained below, by season. But now, the biggest travel tip we can provide for you…you are going to be so glad that you read this!

Generally speaking, weekends are much busier than weekdays, and holiday periods are very active. As a result, the primary artery into Gatlinburg, Highways 66 at Interstate 40 & Exit 407 and Highway 441 South, can become heavily congested during these periods. There are ways, however, to beat the congestion on those sometimes-challenging arrival and departure days. Check out the alternate routes map and you'll be surprised to find that you can avoid those seemingly miles of traffic by simply coming to Gatlinburg by the less-traveled routes! What may seem like fifteen minutes or so out of your way on the map can actually get you to Gatlinburg an hour or more earlier by avoiding the traffic congestion!

Be comfortable... The most important thing you'll bring will be your walking shoes. Tennis, running, loafers, or hiking shoes are the norm – even if you don't get near a hiking trail, you'll likely walk four or more miles per day. The night mountain breeze can feel cool, even in the summer, so a light jacket or sweater might come in handy. As for attire, casual is what the mountains are all about! Even the finest restaurants, and there are plenty, love the comfortable look! Incidentally, folks from Tennessee really DO wear shoes!

Spring

March – May
Ahh… Springtime in the Smokies! Try to imagine being surrounded by the lush new growth of the forest, delicate wildflowers of all colors, crisp waterfalls of melted snow, and newborn wildlife awakened to bask in the bounty of freshness. There's no better place to satisfy a case of spring fever than in Gatlinburg and the Great Smoky Mountains.

Gatlinburg knows its place in the mountains and strives to provide the visitor with a park-like feel along its streets and sidewalks, aided greatly by the full-time staff that oversees the City's year-round flower program. Beginning in March, visitors witness Gatlinburg's transformation into spring when the city's streets overflow with baskets of beautiful blooms and flowering bulbs. Live entertainment can be found along the city sidewalks, adding a festive flair to the time-honored Downtown Parkway stroll.

Spring break is a popular time to visit, and can last a full six weeks from March through mid-April, based upon various geographic markets' school schedules. Quieter periods run from mid-April through late May, although visitors and residents alike dedicate those weeks to jump into Ribfest & Wings, Sidewalk Arts Festivals and Scottish festivals that all provide great entertainment during your visit! Gatlinburg's in full swing, and the nearby major theme parks and theaters are open on abbreviated schedules, so you won't be lacking for something to do!

Spring temperatures range from chilly to cool at night, with the days running cool to moderate.

Summer

June – August
School's out and summer's here! Summer vacation travel to Gatlinburg and the Smokies is a new experience for some couples and families, but to most it's an every-year pilgrimage! There's just something especially inviting for each member of the family, and collectively for the entire family as well. Outdoor activities abound! For the sports enthusiast, there's hiking, fly fishing, cycling, whitewater rafting, horseback riding, just to name a few. And don't forget the picnic basket! Grab an inner tube and ask a local about their favorite swimmin' holes in those sparkling mountain streams, or just dangle your feet from a streamside stone… even on the warmest summer days, the water's cold! Entertainment parks and attractions provide days and nights of laughter and excitement as well, and numerous of them are indoor activities, just in case you get caught in one of those cooling summer showers. Shops and the crafts community offer extended operating hours, just so you'll have time to get it all in. Summer events include the nation's first Independence Day Parade at the stroke of midnight, a huge Craftsmen's Fair at the Convention Center in July, and Heritage on Display in the Arts & Crafts Community in late August. Quieter periods during summer are the first two weeks of June and the last two weeks of August, with a slight lull the last two weeks of July.

Summer temperatures range from cool to moderate at night, and moderate to warm during the day. Warming showers can occur for brief periods in mid-afternoon, so an inexpensive poncho is a good take-along.

Fall

September – November
Arguably the most beautiful of the Smokies' four distinct seasons, the warm, sunny days and cool, clear nights of September, mixed with just the right amount of rainfall, soon transform 800 square miles of lush green forest into a brilliant palette of autumnal color. Starting at the mountain peaks in late September and moving down to town and the lower elevations through early November, Gatlinburg becomes surrounded by the most beautiful skylines you'll ever see, bringing about the spectacular finale to yet another growth season in the Park.

Townsfolk take great pride in decorating their businesses and sidewalks for fall, and you'll find a bevy of cleverly designed displays throughout the entire city. During most of October and Thanksgiving weekend as well, the downtown Convention Center features arts and crafts fairs of almost every form. And the first Wednesday evening in November, there's a big chili cook-off and street party to celebrate the kickoff of the city's winter lights program. You don't even have to wait for winter in order to enjoy ice skating at Ober Gatlinburg's huge year-round indoor rink!

The University of Tennessee is just an hour from Gatlinburg, so don't be confused if you think you're at a football tailgate party when the Vols are playing a home game on Saturday. Visiting Tennessee Vol fans and opponent states' fans, the likes of Gators, Tigers, Wildcats, Lions, and even Bulldogs and Hogs, sport their colors, their flags, and their pride for up to a week in advance of the game! Quieter periods are weekdays in September to mid-October, then from the last week of October until Thanksgiving Day. Little known tip: The beauty of the autumn leaves typically continues into early November in town, finishing out with the most brilliant red leaves of the maple.

Fall temperatures generally range from cool to chilly at night, and cool to moderate during the day. A sweater or lightweight jacket is a good idea to pack.

Winter

December – February
The bears are slumbering, the leaves have fallen, and temperatures are falling as well. All of these effects signal wintertime in the Smokies, and snow-capped peaks and winter activities make Gatlinburg a popular resort even during the winter. Many from the temperate South come in search of seeing snow for the first time, and those from Northern states come to visit in hope of getting away from the snow! Even though it may not be on the ground in downtown (but it might!), the higher elevations of the Smokies often provide picturesque panoramas of snow-laden mountaintops. The most popular winter activities in Gatlinburg are snow skiing or snowboarding, ice skating, and gathering near the fireplace in your cabin, chalet, condo, or room. The shops and attractions are open throughout winter in Gatlinburg, although some revert to reduced hours during weekdays. The big events of the winter include millions of lights and enormous lighting displays throughout the city's Winterfest celebration, Gatlinburg's Fantasy of Lights Christmas Parade, and the midnight fireworks show downtown to bring in the New Year. Quieter periods are weekdays throughout the winter, except between Christmas and New Year's Day.

Winter temperatures can be fickle, but generally range from teens to thirties at night, and chilly to cool during the day.