Best time to visit Smoky Mountains

April to May and September to October. Month by month below, with the weather, what's on and what it costs to fly there from your city.

April to May and September to October

Spring and fall are the favorites: mild weather, wildflowers or foliage. October color is the biggest draw, and also busy.

“we have two favorite times to visit the park: spring and fall.” mysmokymountainpark.com
“Great Times: April to May and September” avantstay.com
“this season makes for a sweet spot in timing your next Smoky Mountains getaway” prestigevacationrentals.com

4 of the 6 travel guides we read name these months.

Smoky Mountains month by month

Average high and low in Gatlinburg, and days with rain

January47°F / 27°F · 15 rainy daysChecking fares…Cold and snowy, very quiet, good for cabin stays and winter photography.Snow is likely at higher elevations in January and February, up to two feet at times.
February51°F / 29°F · 15 rainy daysChecking fares…Still cold with few tourists; good for peaceful hikes at lower elevations.Spring wildflowers start blooming at lower elevations in February.
March59°F / 35°F · 15 rainy daysChecking fares…Spring begins, wildflowers start blooming and the weather turns more pleasant.March and May bring plenty of unexpected spring showers.
Best timeApril69°F / 42°F · 13 rainy daysChecking fares…Beautiful spring weather as the busy season begins.April highs average in the 60s.
Best timeMay75°F / 51°F · 15 rainy daysChecking fares…Wilderness Wildlife Week is held in Pigeon Forge in May.Synchronous fireflies appear near Elkmont in late May and early June.April and May are named great shoulder months with fewer people.Synchronous fireflies at Elkmont
June80°F / 59°F · 15 rainy daysChecking fares…June is nearly as crowded as July.Summer afternoon thunderstorms are common.
July83°F / 63°F · 15 rainy daysChecking fares…July has the most wet days of the year, about 14.Gatlinburg holds an Independence Day Parade on July 4.July is historically the most crowded month.
August82°F / 62°F · 14 rainy daysChecking fares…One scoring model puts the peak for general outdoor activity in the last week of August.Cooler mountain air begins to arrive as August closes.
Best timeSeptember78°F / 56°F · 11 rainy daysChecking fares…Fall color starts at high elevations around mid September.September and November give fall benefits with fewer crowds than October.Fall is the park's driest time of year, with falling humidity.
Best timeOctober69°F / 44°F · 10 rainy daysChecking fares…The National Park Service calls October the busiest month of the year.Another source calls October the second-busiest month.Best fall color is mid to late October.
November58°F / 34°F · 12 rainy daysChecking fares…Lower-elevation color lingers into early November.November is part of the quietest period.
December50°F / 29°F · 15 rainy daysChecking fares…November to March is the quietest stretch.Many popular park roads close in winter, including the road to Kuwohi.Nights often fall below freezing even at lower elevations.

Weather: Gatlinburg averages (1991 to 2020 averages), as listed in its climate table on Wikipedia.

Every date to Knoxville from your city

Live fares from your airport. Watch them and we alert you when they drop.

What's on in Smoky Mountains

Festivals and seasons through the year

Synchronous fireflies at ElkmontGreat Smoky Mountains National Park, TennesseeEvery May to June

Busy, quiet and what to watch for

Busiest

June to August and OctoberSummer family trips and fall foliage fill hotels and trails.
SummerThe most popular time to visit; July is historically the most crowded month.

Quietest

November to MarchFewest visitors; some higher trails are closed by snow.

Watch for

WinterRoads that freeze are hazardous, and several popular park roads close.
SummerLower-elevation highs often pass 90°F, with haze, bugs and ticks.
Spring and summerAlmost daily thunderstorms, and sometimes tornadoes.
OctoberParking areas at popular spots fill up quickly; have a Plan B.
SpringSome of the year's highest precipitation, so trails are often muddy.

Questions people ask

Which is nicer, Gatlinburg or Pigeon Forge?: Gatlinburg mixes mountain charm with tourist attractions; Pigeon Forge focuses on family entertainment and shows.

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Best time to visit Smoky Mountains

April to May and September to October

Smoky Mountains month by month

Every date to Knoxville from your city

What's on in Smoky Mountains

Busy, quiet and what to watch for

Busiest

Quietest

Watch for

Questions people ask

More about Smoky Mountains

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Best time to visit Smoky Mountains

April to May and September to October

Smoky Mountains month by month

Every date to Knoxville from your city

What's on in Smoky Mountains

Busy, quiet and what to watch for

Busiest

Quietest

Watch for

Questions people ask

More about Smoky Mountains

Best time to visit other places