When Should You Visit Gatlinburg? A Helpful Guide for First-Timers

Most of you first-time visitors want to know the best times to visit Gatlinburg. When people ask this, they’re really thinking of how busy it will be. Sure, many of you don’t mind the crowds and prefer big events, but a majority of travelers are wary of how many of their fellow tourists have the same idea. They’d choose to stay away from the horde like the plague. Well, I’d like to give you some assistance, and this is based on our experiences during every season of the year, weekends and holidays included.

Winter (January-March)

Christmas decorations stay up well into February!

It’s not difficult to imagine this is the slowest season of the year for tourism. Many factors play a role, and it took us a handful of years before we finally took a chance on a winter visit. While Newfound Gap Road (the road that bisects The Great Smoky Mountains National Park) is open, it can shut down on a dime due to wintry conditions. The elevation gives way to more extreme weather than in Gatlinburg, so don’t be fooled by the lack of snow in town. There could be several inches or more on the ground at peak points on this road.

Gatlinburg doesn’t have theater shows like Pigeon Forge does that shut down in the winter, but the popular attraction, Anakeesta, normally stays open only during weekends, and with limited hours. Most shops and restaurants at ground level are open daily, but they also cut back on hours a bit. Instead of being open until 9, 10, or 11, expect closings at 7 or 8 in the evening. Please plan accordingly.

Because of these factors, hotels, cabins, and condos are never more affordable than they are in the winter months. Rates usually don’t begin to rise until the second week of March, so this time is an excellent option if you’re on a budget.

Spring (April-June)

Springtime is an awakening that ushers in a flurry of activity. The greenery beautifully fills in the mountainside, and more events emerge with the entrance of increased visitors. Flowers are celebrated with the Spring Wildflower Pilgrimage; The Arts are celebrated with Hands-On Gatlinburg, where you can channel your inner-artisan; Easter brings a renewed sense of Christianity.

You can also expect bigger crowds in the form of spring breakers throughout late April. Weekends are busier because of this addition of young college-age men and women. This can only mean businesses catering to the influx by returning to normal hours of operation.

Arguably, the most comfortable weather is felt during Spring. Well, I’m not sure many would complain about average highs being in the 60s, 70s, and the occasional 80s during the months of April and May. Mornings and evenings are usually nice and cool. Humidity is fairly low. The only downsides are the Spring showers that like to pop up in the mountains, but you can still enjoy it. The misty cloud movements through the Smokies are a fascinating watch, whether you’re a science geek or just a fan of nature in general.

Fair warning: If you’re not a car enthusiast, I would advise you to avoid the Rod Runs, which are usually in April and September. Even though it’s held in Pigeon Forge, you will likely be stuck in a traffic for long periods, and be subjected to increased crowds and…noise.

Summer (July-September)

The hottest, most humid time of the year in Tennessee is, of course, summer. We’ve been subjected to some sweltering temps, especially when you’re in the exposed areas of the Parkway. Temperatures may read 90, but on concrete with thousands of other sweaty tourists, it’ll feel like 100 degrees or more. Dress in light colors and comfortable summer attire.

Weekends will be super busy, but never more so than around the July 4th holiday. At midnight, Gatlinburg hosts the first Independence Day parade in the country, followed 20+ hours later by an impressive fireworks display from the Space Needle. We haven’t been here for this, but all accounts and photos say it’s well-attended.

Smoky Mountain Tunes and Tales is a unique experience seeing various performers playing in random spots down the main drag. When you add the audible tunes from Ole Smoky Moonshine Holler, Shamrock Lounge Pub and Eatery, Ole Red, and the Back Porch at Sugarlands Distilling, it’s easy to slide into a jubilant mood as you take a summer stroll along the Parkway.

Autumn (October-December)

Autumn’s peak season is an easy guess—October. Yes, that’s when hundreds of thousands of visitors leave for the Smoky Mountains to see the…leaves turn into a colorful array of blended beauty. Usually crowds begin to fade by the second week of November, and this carries over until…

The week before Christmas. Actually, peak population—referred to as Hell Week by the locals—is the week between Christmas and New and Year’s Day. I can accurately report to have been here during this time, and believe me when I say you won’t find a busier time to be here. It’s stupid busy. But guess what? If you love Gatlinburg as much as we do, you’ll still have yourselves a fantastic vacation. As long as you know what you’re getting into, you’ll accept it. Then you can decide whether it’s your cup of tea or not.

I hope you found this a helpful guide for scoping out your ideal time to visit Gatlinburg. Honestly, we’ve enjoyed every visit in every season here for different reasons. Of course we have a preference, but there are pros and cons to each season, and one thing is perfectly evident: You are the ultimate decider of how fulfilling you make of your visit to this mountain paradise.

Thanks for reading! You know the drill. Consider being a subscriber to help me expand my content and give you the quality that you deserve. Stay tuned for more!