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Sitting on the border of Tennessee and North Carolina, the Great Smoky Mountains National Park paints an awe-inspiring canvas of mountain peaks, lush forests, and diverse wildlife. With over 500,000 acres of natural beauty, it’s clear why hikers, explorers, and families consider it one of the top Natural Park destinations in the United States.
Before you plan a trip, you need to know the best time to visit the Smoky Mountains to make the most of your adventure. We’ll detail the pros and cons of every season in the park. From summer to spring, you’ll know exactly what to do, what to bring, and where to stay in the Smokies to experience its glory.
According to visitor data, the best time to visit the Smoky Mountains is in the summer — June, July, and August — and October.
The summer months provide visitors with hot, sunny days alongside warm, comfortable nights. There are plenty of reasons to stay in the Smoky Mountains during this season, as visitors can stay in a rustic cabin or sleep under the stars — all while enjoying blooming wildflowers and periodic firefly performances.
Meanwhile, October is a month of picturesque beauty as the leaves change color, turning the hills into a symphony of reds, oranges, and yellows. The weather dips to a more manageable temperature, and the rain and humidity fall to some of the year’s lowest levels.
While the summer and fall months are the most popular times to visit, you can find beauty in the park year-round. Below, we included a month-by-month weather chart — for a low-elevation city like Gatlinburg to Clingmans Dome, the highest point of the park — to give you an idea of climate conditions throughout the seasons.
| Gatlinburg, TN (Low Elevation) | Clingmans Dome (High elevation) | |||
| Average High | Average Low | Average High | Average Low | |
| January | 50°F | 28°F | 35°F | 19°F |
| February | 53°F | 29°F | 35°F | 18°F |
| March | 61°F | 34°F | 39°F | 24°F |
| April | 71°F | 42°F | 49°F | 34°F |
| May | 79°F | 50°F | 57°F | 43°F |
| June | 86°F | 58°F | 63°F | 49°F |
| July | 88°F | 59°F | 65°F | 53°F |
| August | 87°F | 60°F | 64°F | 52°F |
| September | 83°F | 55°F | 60°F | 47°F |
| October | 73°F | 43°F | 53°F | 38°F |
| November | 61°F | 33°F | 42°F | 28°F |
| December | 52°F | 28°F | 37°F | 21°F |
Source: National Park Service
For a natural park as picturesque as the Smoky Mountains, winter and spring can be just as exhilarating as summer and fall to the right traveler. Moving forward, we will highlight each season in detail so you can plan your perfect trip.
Visiting the Smoky Mountains in the summer is a great way to get the most out of your vacation. Hot days and warm nights provide the perfect environment for exploring everything the park offers, from hiking to swimming and sightseeing.
Successfully booking accommodations for this season should typically happen well in advance — July, for example, is the peak month in the park for visitors. But if you don’t mind the heat and the occasional crowd, summer is one of the best times to visit.
Depending on your location and elevation in the park, temperatures can reach the mid-to-high 80s during the day and as low as the mid-50s at night.
These months are when moisture and humidity are at their highest. This means a low haze often engulfs the peaks during the morning hours, which can often make way for afternoon showers or thunderstorms. But don’t worry — clear skies can be just as common.
The summer months offer many opportunities that make the Smoky Mountains a sought-after destination.
The warm temperature is perfect for exploring the 800 miles of hiking trails throughout the park, zip lining, horseback riding, and general exploring. Embark on sightseeing excursions to find roaming deer and turkeys, or try to find as many of the 1,500 types of wildflowers as you can.
Additionally, one thing that makes this season unique is the water activities; Plan a trip to find a Gatlinburg swimming hole or waterfall, or try your hand at whitewater rafting.
For a truly picturesque view that rivals any in the country, visit the Smoky Mountains in the fall.
During this season, the endless acres of oak, maple, and birch trees erupt with spectacular color, filling the landscape with red, yellow, and orange hues. While October can be just as busy as the summer months regarding tourism, the weather is colder, and the park is typically more secluded.
Fall welcomes in a cooler climate than summer, as temperatures typically fall to the mid-70s during the day and as low as the low-30s by night, depending on the month.
With winter on the horizon, it’s important to know that temperatures will get cooler throughout the season — September being hotter on average than November, for example. Despite the occasional cold snap, fall is a very comfortable time, offering low humidity and great weather for outdoor activities.
During the height of fall coloring, you’ll want to do anything that gets you outside.
The crisp air and mesmerizing views make for the perfect environment to book a pet-friendly cabin and hike with your furry friend. Or you can spend an afternoon taking photos. While exploring the endless acres of foliage, you’ll likely find bears, deer, elk, and more actively preparing themselves for winter.
An added dose of magic comes in the form of fall events — Smoky Mountain harvest festivals, apple picking, farmers markets, and more pop up throughout the season in nearby towns such as Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge.
Looking to take advantage of the best time to visit the Smoky Mountains? Some argue winter is their favorite season. With the least amount of visitors you will have easy access to hiking and with less foliage you will have wide open mountain views. Colder temperatures and occasional snowfall can offer those from warmer climates the exciting opportunity to experience snow – and many for the first time. The area offers one of the most elaborate festive and decorative holiday experiences in the country – often including a white Christmas.
Cold temperatures, slippery roads, and occasional snowfall can put a damper on many of the activities that make the park so special. That said, there are still plenty of opportunities for exploration or winter sports in the more frigid months of the year — December being the most popular for visitors.
Winter makes a grand entrance in the Smoky Mountains by bringing in sub-freezing weather while draping a layer of snow across the more elevated portions of the park.
Temperatures typically range in the 40s during the day and as low as the high teens by night. It’s important to note that this season is when the varied elevation makes a difference: Lower areas of the park will typically be above freezing during the day, while higher elevations can become blanketed in snow and ice.
Winter provides fewer opportunities for activities in the Smoky Mountains but provide just as much natural beauty.
During this time, you’ll find that many roads, trails, and campsites will be closed for the season due to safety concerns and a lack of visitors. However, the smaller crowds afford the ability to get lost in a wonderful winter landscape.
Despite the closures, many trails are still open, allowing brave visitors to take a winter hike in the Smokies and explore frozen waterfalls and snow-crested hills in absolute solitude. The area is a great place to be around the holidays, as the nearby towns get decked out in holiday decor. For holiday sightseeing, try catching a ride on the Gatlinburg holiday lights trolley ride.
Spring is when the Smoky Mountains wake up. The snow and ice that moved into the area over the previous months start to melt, making way for running creeks, emerging wildlife, and blooming flowers.
This time of the year affords an excellent balance between outdoor activities and low visitor traffic, making it a fantastic time to explore the area. Make accommodations in advance, as May begins the busy season in the park.
Spring brings in warmer weather than winter, as daytime temperatures typically reach the 60s and 70s, while nighttime hovers around the 30s.
As with fall, the average temperatures can change substantially month to month during this season. March is the coldest spring month, while May can even give a welcome glimpse into summer weather.
As the park begins to thaw, there are several unique activities in the spring months.
Creeks and waterfalls start to flow over with some of their highest water levels of the year (perfect for a creekside cabin), wildlife becomes more active, and popular hiking trails open up from their winter closures. Additionally, the blooming wildflowers and green hillsides provide the perfect backdrop for sightseeing.
This season is also one of the best for fishing for all the anglers out there, as spring provides the perfect water temperature to catch bass, trout, and more in one of the park’s 2,000 miles of river. Take a day to head to the best fly fishing spots the Smokies have to offer for a day of relaxation.
While most people think that the best time to visit the Smoky Mountains is in summer or fall, there are plenty of reasons to visit this wondrous natural park year-round.
Whether you’re planning a family trip, a romantic getaway, or a vacation with friends, each season brings unique surroundings and experiences that make the area a perfect travel destination throughout the year.
At Elk Springs Resort, we offer many premium Gatlinburg cabins that will make your stay in the Smoky Mountains unforgettable.
Contact us today to get one step closer to booking your dream vacation.
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