What Is the Best Time to Travel to the Smoky Mountains?

Summer is the most popular time to visit the Smoky Mountains, but depending on what you are looking for, spring and fall may be better choices.
Written by David Ghanizadeh-Khoob
Reviewed by Kathleen Flear
You could spend a lifetime exploring the Smoky Mountains, but you’ll have to start somewhere. The most popular months to visit are July and October, but the best time for you will depend on the experience that you are looking for and your tolerance for heat and humidity.
Located on the border of
Tennessee
and
North Carolina
, sandwiched between the cities of
Knoxville
and
Asheville
, the Smoky Mountains are a playground for nature lovers. With an average of 11 million visitors per year, Great Smoky Mountain National Park is the most visited national park in America—and with endless hikes, beautiful wildflowers, tons of museums, and decent weather year-round, it is easy to understand why.
There is a lot to see in the area, and sorting out when to visit can be tough. That’s why
car insurance
super-app
Jerry
has done the research to help you plan your trip. 
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The best time of year to visit the Smoky Mountains

The main attraction in the Smoky Mountains is of course the national park. As a result, the best time to visit will depend on what you are looking for and your tolerance for heat and rain. While winter is undoubtedly the low season, all attractions will open from May to October, and spring offers some unique experiences itself. Even in winter, though, your visit can be worthwhile,

Peak season: July to October

Clear summer day in Great Smoky Mountains National Park
The good: All activities and attractions are available and all accommodations are open
The bad: Large crowds lead to higher rates and competition for parking
The weather: Mid-50s to high 80s (low 40s to mid-70s in October)
The busiest months are July and October, creating two somewhat distinct peak seasons. This would, therefore, make September a great time to visit if you don’t mind missing the fall colors and want to bypass some of the crowds.
People flock to the Smoky Mountains in the summer mainly for the warm weather, making it comfortable to hike at high elevations and play in all of the rivers, lakes, and swimming holes.
The fall, of course, brings beautiful changing leaves, which is a major attraction, but it is also the peak season for experiencing wildlife. Trout fishing is at its best in the fall, and elk and bear sightings are most frequent along trails and scenic drives. If you come in the fall, don’t miss the
Smoky Mountain Harvest Festival
in
Gatlinburg
, which runs from mid-September through late November.
Pro-tip Parking lots and campsites fill fast during the peak months. Head to trailheads around dawn, and try to book your accommodations ahead of time.

Off-season: November to February

Foggy morning over autumn trees in Great Smoky Mountains National Park
The good: More solitude and longer views
The bad: Many attractions, accommodation options, and secondary roads are closed
The weather: Mid-20s to high 50s
The colder weather and icy conditions mean a lot of things close in the winter. Seven of ten campgrounds in the park, most secondary roads, rest stops, and picnic areas all close from November through May. There is still a good reason to visit though. The fallen leaves make for vast views, especially if you can get up high. 
You can drive up to viewpoints like Newfound Gap, or hike up major summits like Clingmans Dome or Mount LeConte to take full advantage. As well, the lack of visitors means you will often feel like the only one in the park, and you get to feel the full solitude of nature. 
Winter also offers a great opportunity to visit some of the less natural attractions around the national park.
Dollywood
runs their Smoky Mountain Christmas from mid-November to the end of December.
Ripley’s
has eight attractions nearby, including the
Odditorium
and
Aquarium of the Smokies
There also are tons of food and drink options around, perhaps most notably the
Ole Smoky Moonshine
distillery in Gatlinburg.

Shoulder season: March to June

Orange flowers in bloom in Great Smoky Mountains National Park
The good: Peak flower blooms, comfortable temperatures, and synchronous fireflies
The bad: Many accommodations and attractions don’t open until May
The weather: Mid-30s to high-70s
Spring can be an exceptional time to visit for two main reasons: synchronous firefly light shows, and beautiful fields of blossoming flowers
The fireflies tend to put on their light display for a few weeks from late May to early June. Due to its popularity, there is a
lottery system
for camping and parking that goes live for a few days at the end of April. If you don’t win a spot, don’t worry, there is a shuttle that runs from
Sugarland visitors center
From spring and early summer, there is an eruption of botanical beauty throughout the park. Hundreds of wildflowers come into bloom, painting the landscape with vibrant colors. To optimize your experience, the
Spring Wildflower Pilgrimage
offers a weekend of guided tours and exhibits at the end of April, and Dollywood puts on its
Flower and Food Festival
from late April to early June.
If you prefer a free experience, you can do a self-guided tour on any of the trails in the park, or book a free
ranger-led program
offered by the NPS. 
Pro-tip While bugs aren’t usually a huge issue in the Smokies, ticks tend to be at their worst in late spring and early summer. Carry bug spray and don’t forget to do your tick checks.

The cheapest time to travel to the Smoky Mountains

Visiting the Smoky Mountains can be a cheap affair year-round.
Entrance to the park is free, most of the natural spaces are free to access, and backcountry and organized campgrounds make for cheap accommodations. There are plenty of free attractions around as well like the
Mountain Farm Museum
, the historic buildings at Cades Cove, and the many
ranger-led programs
offered in spring, summer, and fall.
If you aren’t keen to camp and want to save money on cabins or motels, you can typically find better rates if you book in the winter or on weekdays.

Find the best month for your visit to the Smoky Mountains

Check out the table below for a breakdown of the best time to visit the Smokies depending on what you are looking for.
Activity
Best month to visit
Why?
Hiking
September
September is the driest month, it is still warm, and you see a dip between the summer and October crowds.
Whitewater activities
June or August
If you want peak rapids, then late spring is best. If you want warm weather, and a more chill experience then aim for August.
Fishing
September or October
Fishing is good year-round, but trout spawns are best in the fall.
Flower tours
Late April to early May
Peak flower blooms, tours are available, and you can enjoy the Flower and Food Festival
Firefly light shows
Late May to early June
You can only catch the synchronous firefly activity for a few weeks per year.
Dollywood
July/August or December
In the summer, all attractions are in full swing, but in December you can enjoy the Smoky Mountain Christmas.
Breweries and distilleries
Summer
Cold beers are best on a hot summer day.
Wildlife viewings
October
Elk and bear sightings are most common in the fall. Coupled with the changing leaves makes this the perfect time to seek out wildlife.
Museums and historical sites
year-round
They are great destinations regardless of the weather.
Pro-tip Some other major attractions to check out are the
Smoky Mountain Alpine Coaster
in
Pigeon Forge
,
Hatfield $ McCoys Dinner Show
in Pigeon Forge, and the
Museum of the Cherokee Indian
in Cherokee.

How to save money on your car or rental insurance

Unless you are hiking the Appalachian Trail, you are going to want a car to get around the Smoky Mountains. Whether that means driving your own or
renting at the airport
, you will need the right car insurance.
Jerry
can help with that. Jerry is an insurance comparison super-app that focuses on helping you save money. 
Just answer a few questions and Jerry will show you the best prices available from top insurance companies. Even if you are already satisfied with your insurance,
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“My policy covers two people and four cars: a truck, SUV, convertible, and muscle car.
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FAQ

January and February. This is when you will find the coldest temperatures and the most amenity closures.
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