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If you love snow-covered mountains and Christmas lights, this is the perfect time for you to visit the Smokies.
From snowy winter hikes to skiing at Ober Gatlinburg to sipping hot chocolate by your My Bearfoot Cabin’s fireplace, there’s a lot to love about the Smoky Mountains in the winter.
Renting a cabin to celebrate Christmas with your family and friends is a popular option. Additionally, New Years Eve brings lots of exciting events to the Smoky Mountains.
Best Time To Visit in Winter
Pigeon Forge really goes all out for Christmas. With special Christmas parades, dinner theater shows, and over 5 million festive lights, Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg in late December are truly sights to behold.
Award wining Christmas attractions like Dollywood’s Smoky Mountain Christmas and Shadrack’s Festival of Lights ensure you’ll be feeling the holiday spirit during your visit.
On the other hand, if you want to see snow in the mountains, visiting in January or February might be your best chance to see the Smokies blanketed in snow.
After the cold winter season, the Smoky Mountains awaken in Spring. Several attractions like Dollywood, zip lines, horse riding stables, and dinner shows reopen in March after a short break in the off-season.
If you love wildflowers, The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is home to over 1,600 varieties of flowering plants and is known as “the wildflower national park.”
Not only does the pleasant weather bring forth blooms of trillium and lady slipper orchids, but also the warmer temperatures make spring a great time to go hiking in the Smokies.
Best Time To Visit in Spring
Late March and early April is probably the best time for seeing wildflowers in the national park. May is a great time to see events like the Bloomin, Barbeque & Bluegrass Festival and Dolly Parton’s Homecoming Parade.
Summer
If you love sunny, warm weather, then you’ll want to visit the Smoky Mountains in June, July, or August.
To stay cool during the summer months, many visitors flock to Dollywood Splash Country to enjoy 15 fantastic water rides and thrilling slides. Another great option is to find swimming holes in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
There’s also a lot going on in Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg during the summer. This is peak tourist season, so all attractions are open and the Smoky Mountains are in full swing!
Best Time To Visit in Summer
Anytime in June, July, or August is a great time to visit to enjoy summer weather and outdoor attractions like zip lines, go karts, mountain coasters, and aerial tours.
Fall
As summer fades, cooler winds start to blow in the Smokies. In preparation for winter, the forests begin to display beautiful fall colors to shed their leaves.
September and October bring cooler, dryer weather that’s perfect for hiking on trails in the national park. Additionally, there are lots of fun fall festivals like the Dollywood Southern Gospel and Harvest Celebration.
October is also a great time to visit haunted attractions, historic homes and corn mazes for some good, spooky fun.
Best Time To Visit in Fall
Most vacationers want to visit Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg during “peak” fall colors. Unfortunately, the timing for maximum fall color is hard to predict and changes from year to year.
That being said, the 2nd and 3rd week of October is probably the best time for seeing leaves change in the mountains.
Thanksgiving is a popular time to visit Pigeon Forge, since many vacationers reserve cabins to enjoy celebrate Thanksgiving by staying in the mountains.
Final Thoughts On When To Visit Pigeon Forge
Need more help in planning your vacation to the Smoky Mountains? Feel free to contact Pat with My Bearfoot Cabins. She’ll be glad to answer questions you have about visiting during different times of year!
Once you decide on the right time to visit the Smoky Mountains, choose one of the My Bearfoot Cabins for your stay. Simply check the cabin’s availability.
Pat and Don Kirchhoefer, owners
pat@mybearfootcabins.com
618-559-3915
https://mybearfootcabins.com
