An Outdoorsy Guide to the Smokies: Best Outdoor Activities for Each Season in Gatlinburg
Are you outdoorsy? Pick your season to visit the Smoky Mountains this year.
With the entrance to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park located directly at the edge of Gatlinburg, this fantastic Tennessee destination is a haven for outdoor and nature lovers.
Choosing the best time to explore Gatlinburg’s great outdoors can be challenging, as each season offers something unique. However, if you have an idea of the activities you’d like to enjoy during your vacation, this blog will help you pick the perfect season for your adventure.
Below, we’ll highlight the top outdoor activities for each season, helping you decide the best time to plan your visit this year.
Before We Start…
At Smoky Mountain Holiday, we offer a variety of cabins with amenities like hot tubs, full kitchens, fireplaces, cinema and game rooms, and even pet-friendly options. Check out our website to find the perfect cabin for your stay.
For more tips on what to do during your visit to Gatlinburg and nearby Pigeon Forge, head over to our destination blog. From the best rainy-day activities to the top eats in each town, we’ve got tons of local spots and insider tips just waiting for you!
Ready to explore Gatlinburg’s great outdoors, season by season? Let’s dive in!
Spring (March-May) — Hikings, Blooming Flowers & Waterfalls
Spring brings mild temperatures (50s-70s°F), making it perfect for hiking and nature exploration. Blooming wildflowers add extra beauty to the trails, and waterfalls are at their most vibrant during this time of year, thanks to spring rains and snowmelt.
Top Activities
Hiking Trails and Waterfalls
Gatlinburg is home to several incredible hiking trails. With the main entrance to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park located directly at the edge of the city, Gatlinburg serves as the gateway to the Smokies and its many outdoor activities, including fantastic hiking trails.
Here’s a list of Gatlinburg’s best hiking trails where you can fully immerse yourself in the breathtaking nature of the Smokies, admire the colorful blooming flowers, and discover mesmerizing waterfalls.
- Laurel Falls Trail: A paved trail leads to a beautiful 80-foot waterfall, surrounded by lush greenery and spring wildflowers. This easy-to-moderate trail is perfect for families and beginner hikers.
- Alum Cave Trail: Alum Cave offers stunning views of blooming flora and moss-covered rocks along the way. This moderate to strenuous hiking trail requires some climbing, but the cooler spring temperatures make it more comfortable for hikers.
- Grotto Falls Trail (via Trillium Gap Trail): This moderate hiking trail features a unique waterfall you can walk behind, surrounded by vibrant wildflowers such as trilliums and violets. For photography enthusiasts, it’s a fantastic spot to capture stunning nature shots.
- Rainbow Falls Trail: The waterfall is especially powerful in spring due to rain and snowmelt, making the season a premium time to visit it. The lush vegetation and wildflowers along the trail add to the beauty.
- Porters Creek Trail: Renowned for its incredible display of wildflowers, including trilliums, phlox, and violets, Porters Creek is a unique trail featuring historical remnants such as old stone walls and log cabins visible along the way.
- Little River Trail: This riverside trail features cascading streams and abundant wildflowers to delight your senses. Little River is an easy-to-moderate hike with gentle terrain, making it ideal for a leisurely outing with your family in nature.
- Cove Hardwood Nature Trail: A short, easy loop trail bursting with spring wildflowers, this trail is perfect for families or anyone looking for a quick and scenic walk.
Scenic Drive Along Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail
The Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail is one of Gatlinburg’s most scenic and serene drives, especially during spring. This 5.5-mile, one-way loop weaves through the lush forests of the Great Smoky Mountains, offering breathtaking views, cascading streams, and historic landmarks. During spring, the trail comes alive with vibrant wildflowers, flowing waterfalls, and rejuvenated greenery, making it a must-visit for nature lovers.
Summer (June-August) — Water Activities and Thrilling Experiences
Warm temperatures (70s-80s°F) and longer days provide ample time for outdoor fun during summer in Gatlinburg. The hotter months are ideal for water-based activities including whitewater rafting, tubing, and kayaking on nearby rivers.
Top Activities
Water Fun
Gatlinburg may be nestled in the mountains, but it offers plenty of fun and refreshing water-based activities during the summer months. From exploring pristine rivers to exciting water parks, there’s something for everyone to beat the heat.
Tubing is a family-friendly summer activity where you can float lazily along the gentle currents of the Little River or other nearby streams. Kayaking and paddleboarding are also great for families, offering a chance to glide across the calm waters of Douglas Lake and the Little River—both are also excellent spots for fishing during the summer—while soaking in stunning mountain views. For those seeking an adrenaline-filled adventure, whitewater rafting is a must. Thrilling rafting trips take you through the rapids of nearby rivers, making it one of the most exciting ways to explore the outdoors.
Picnics Against the Stunning Mountain Settings
Gatlinburg and the surrounding Smoky Mountains are home to several beautiful picnic spots, perfect for enjoying the summer breeze while savoring delicious snacks and admiring the grandeur of the mountains.
Some of the best places for picnics in and around Gatlinburg include Chimneys Picnic Area, Metcalf Bottoms, Greenbrier, Cades Cove, Twin Creeks Picnic Pavilion, Collins Creek, and Deep Creek. It’s important to keep in mind that these picnic spots can fill up quickly during summer, so planning ahead is a good idea. Needless to say, always clean up after yourself and follow park guidelines to help preserve the beauty of the area.
Ziplining at Adventure Parks
Like whitewater rafting, ziplining in Gatlinburg is another exhilarating way to experience the Smoky Mountains during the summer. With warm weather, lush green forests, and stunning mountain views, it’s the a fun and scenic activity for adventure seekers and families looking for a thrilling outdoor experience.
The top ziplining providers in the area include Anakeesta Zipline Adventure, a popular attraction in the heart of Gatlinburg; CLIMB Works Smoky Mountains; Foxfire Mountain Adventure Park, located just outside Gatlinburg; and Legacy Mountain Ziplines.
Fall (September-November) — Leaf-peeping, Festivals, and More
From September to November, you’ll experience cooler temperatures (50s-70s°F) and one of nature’s most beautiful treats: fall foliage. This is the peak season for leaf-peeping in the Great Smoky Mountains. Fall events in the great outdoors, along with other outdoor activities, are also highlights of this time of year.
Top Activities
Leaf-Peeping
The fall foliage in the Smoky Mountains is truly spectacular, with the forest transforming into a vibrant palette of red, orange, yellow, and gold. It’s one of the top destinations in the U.S. for enjoying the beauty of autumn colors.
Peak foliage season usually occurs from mid to late October, though the colors begin to appear as early as late September at higher elevations. Places like Clingmans Dome and Newfound Gap showcase the earliest changes, while lower elevations display their colors later in the season.
Scenic drives are a must during this time, with routes such as the Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail, Little River Road, Foothills Parkway, and Newfound Gap Road offering some of the most stunning views of the fall colors.
Local Festivals
Fall is the perfect season to experience some of the most beloved local festivals in Gatlinburg. Outdoor events such as the Great Smoky Arts & Crafts Community Thanksgiving Show, Anakeesta’s Bear-Varian Fall Festival, Oktoberfest at Ober Mountain, and the Smoky Mountain Harvest Festival not only embrace the spirit of autumn but also allow you to enjoy the festive atmosphere while surrounded by the stunning natural beauty of the region.
Wildlife Watching
Fall is an active season for wildlife in the region as animals prepare for winter. This is an excellent time to spot fascinating creatures such as black bears, which are actively foraging for food in preparation for hibernation and may be more visible. You can also see deer and wild turkeys. Places like Cades Cove and Cataloochee Valley are hotspots for wildlife viewing, with the latter being a prime location to observe elk during their mating season.
Horseback Riding
There’s no better time for horseback riding in the Smokies than fall. The crisp mountain air, vibrant colors, and serene forest trails create a memorable experience for riders of all levels. Horseback riding provides a slower, more intimate way to connect with nature. Between September and November, the trails are surrounded by vivid hues of red, orange, and gold, while the rolling hills and mountain vistas offer spectacular views of the Smokies’ fall landscape.
The best horseback riding providers in the area include Sugarlands Riding Stables, located near the entrance to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park; Smoky Mountain Riding Stables; Cades Cove Riding Stables; and Douglas Lakeview Stables.
Winter (December-February) — Winter Fun and Quiet Town
Winters in Gatlinburg are marked by mild weather (30s-50s°F), with occasional snow creating a magical setting for winter activities. Additionally, fewer crowds provide a more peaceful outdoor experience.
Top Activities
Winter Sports
Gatlinburg transforms into a hub for winter sports during the colder months, offering a variety of activities for all ages and skill levels. Whether you’re seeking thrilling slopes or family-friendly fun, Gatlinburg’s winter sports scene has something for everyone.
Ober Mountain, located just minutes from downtown Gatlinburg, is the premier destination for skiing and snowboarding in the Smokies. The slopes cater to all skill levels, with a mix of beginner, intermediate, and advanced trails. Additionally, you can enjoy winter fun with ice skating, snow tubing, and mini sledding.
Frozen Waterfalls
Exploring frozen waterfalls in Gatlinburg during winter offers a unique opportunity to experience the Smoky Mountains in a way few get to see. The serene beauty of icy cascades, combined with the tranquility of the winter landscape, creates an unforgettable adventure. Rainbow Falls, Laurel Falls, Grotto Falls, and Abrams Falls in Cades Cove transform into stunning ice sculptures during the colder months.
Where Should You Stay When Exploring the Smokies?
Our short-term rental cabins provide the ideal blend of privacy, stunning mountain views, and a cozy atmosphere, ensuring a truly relaxing escape in the Smokies.
At Smoky Mountain Holiday, we offer cabins of various sizes and amenities, including hot tubs, full kitchens, fireplaces, cinema and game rooms, and even pet-friendly options. Explore our website to discover our fantastic range of cabin choices.
We’re dedicated to ensuring you and your family have the best possible experience in the Smokies. With Smoky Mountain Holiday, your vacation memories are guaranteed to be unforgettable.
