While many people consider the summer and fall as the best time to visit the Smokies, there are many advantages to planning a trip to the Great Smoky Mountains during the winter months.
Visiting in winter means fewer crowds, budget-friendly deals, and unique activities like experiencing the magic of Gatlinburg Winterfest when the city comes alive with lights and one-of-a-kind celebrations. If you’re planning a winter trip this year, don’t miss the festivities of a Gatlinburg winter.
The annual Winterfest Lights is held from November through February. It transforms the towns of Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge, and Sevierville into a magical winter wonderland with millions of sparkling lights on the trees, buildings, and landmarks. Since the event begins in November, you can add it to your itinerary if you spend Thanksgiving in Gatlinburg.
The Gatlinburg light show is synchronized to music and features a variety of festive displays, including Christmas trees, snowflakes, and holiday characters. Visitors can experience the Winterfest Lights by taking a driving tour of the city, attending the Gatlinburg Christmas Parade, or riding the Gatlinburg Winter Magic Trolley of Lights.
A fun way to experience the Smokies is to hit the slopes at Ober Gatlinburg in the winter. This scenic mountain setting offers snow sports, including skiing, snowboarding, ice skating, and tubing.
Just getting to the park is fun. Strap yourself into the scenic chair lift and get an unparalleled view of the entire Gatlinburg area. The resort offers everything you need to enjoy an afternoon of fun, including equipment, food vendors, games, and a carousel.
Anakeesta is a nature-based park where guests can immerse themselves in the outdoors year-round. It is also a great place to view the snow-capped Smokies. During the winter, it transforms into a festive wonderland.
If you want to truly experience a Gatlinburg Christmas, the Enchanted Christmas Lights are a must-see attraction after riding the Chondola, where Firefly Village twinkles with holiday lights and decorations.
With hundreds of miles of trails to explore, there is simply no way you could see all of the Smoky Mountains in one trip. Whether exploring the trails or going on a scenic drive, one of the best things about visiting the Smokies in winter is the low traffic in popular areas.
There are so many ways to experience the snow-capped mountains. Popular activities include hiking, skiing, and even snowshoeing. The Smokies get the most snow in January and February, making it a great time for winter activities in Gatlinburg.
There’s something magic about a winter hike in the Smoky Mountains. The barren trees give you expansive mountain views and countless opportunities to spot wildlife. Many trails feature frozen waterfalls, ponds, and streams, which create beautiful ice formations when temperatures fall below freezing. Be sure to check weather and trail conditions before heading out and to let someone know your route and expected return time.
One of the best things to do in Gatlinburg in winter is to see a frozen waterfall. As temperatures drop, the falling water freezes, creating unique and beautiful ice formations as the ice builds up.
If you’re not up for a trek, both Meigs Falls and The Sinks are along Little River Road and have easy pull-off parking with no hiking required to see some of the best waterfalls in the Smoky Mountains. If you’re looking for a challenge, there are plenty of winter hikes in Gatlinburg to see waterfalls, including Laurel Falls and the Rainbow Fall Trail.
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Warm up from the winter weather by grabbing some local food in Gatlinburg. Many family-run restaurants offer hearty meals and a cozy atmosphere, perfect for the colder months. From Southern comfort food to gourmet cuisine, popular spots like the Greenbrier Restaurant and Bennett’s Pit Bar-B-Que are in-demand favorites to sample local cuisine.
The Smoky Mountains are famous for their dinner shows. With several live dinner shows in Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge to choose from, there’s no shortage of after-dinner fun. Whether you want to turn up the dinner fun or go for a post-meal drink, there are plenty of distilleries to choose from in Gatlinburg before or after the show.
Choose from the many shops in the area to find handmade goods and holiday-themed souvenirs, and remember your trip to the Smoky Mountains for years to come.
If you’re visiting Gatlinburg in December, you can visit the Great Smoky Christmas Arts & Craft Show to find unique handcrafted gifts and keepsakes. Year-round, you’ll find The Village Shops, a charming European-themed downtown setting with a walkable collection of boutiques and galleries chock-full of memorable souvenirs.
Nature brings most people to the Smokies, but there’s no shortage of inside activities. Spending a few hours in a museum is a great way to warm up and do something unique during Gatlinburg winter.
There are a variety of unique museums in Gatlinburg, including the Salt and Pepper Shaker Museum, the largest salt and pepper shaker museum in the world, and the Hollywood Star Cars Museum, which has famous cars from Hollywood films. Exploring a Gatlinburg museum is a great way for the whole family to spend time together indoors this winter.
We couldn’t cover all the winter activities in Gatlinburg—they’re endless! Even better, the neighboring towns only bolster the attractions of Gatlinburg in the winter.
Experience the magic of the holiday season by taking a Polar Express train ride. This scenic ride lasts just over an hour and leaves from Bryson City for the North Pole to pick up Santa Claus. In the winter, you can also visit the Gatlinburg Skypark or the Gatlinburg Space Needle to get panoramic views of the snow-covered Smoky Mountains. At night, you’ll have the opportunity to see Gatlinburg Christmas lights from above.
Hunkering down in your cabin is one of the activities to unwind year-round, but there’s something extra special about staying cozy inside during Gatlinburg winter. Whether you’re looking to relax in the hot tub after a day of exploring or simply admire the mountain views from your window, staying in can be just as fun as venturing out.
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Gatlinburg is a great place to visit any time of year, but there’s something special about the winter here. With so many things to do in Gatlinburg, you’ll probably want to come back time and time again to experience it all.
Are you ready to experience some Gatlinburg winter magic? Whether you’re coming alone or bringing the whole family, Elk Springs Resort has cozy winter cabins in Gatlinburg, Tennessee, with beautiful mountain views, perfect for making the most of your winter adventure.
Grab a cozy cabin with a private hot tub and a fully-stocked kitchen for a perfect winter getaway.
Yes, Gatlinburg is a great place to visit in the winter. There are festive holiday events, hikes to frozen waterfalls, unique museums, and fewer crowds than peak seasons
December is a great time to visit Gatlinburg. The town transforms into a winter wonderland with holiday lights, festive events, and seasonal attractions. There are lots of things to do in Gatlinburg in December, and it’s a special time to enjoy the snow-capped Smokies.
Gatlinburg does get snow during the winter, but it’s more common at higher elevations in the Smoky Mountains. Winter weather in Gatlinburg, Tennessee, can be hard to predict, but visitors often see snow-covered peaks and the occasional light snow in town during winter visits.
