Visiting the Great Smoky Mountains in Winter

The best thing about visiting the Great Smoky Mountains in winter is the lack of crowds, and the opportunity to experience solitude. Most of the park’s 11 million visitors go in the summer, so the winter is quieter. The best chance for peace and solitude is during a hike. In winter, Gatlinburg hosts winter activities (especially in December—there are Christmas light displays and other festive events), so there aren’t too many people on the trails, giving you the chance to take in the magical scenery without the crowds.

Another benefit of visiting in winter is the beauty of the mountaintops covered with fresh snow and the trails and trees at lower elevations powdered white. There are also many waterfalls in the park, and during extended periods of cold temperatures, they freeze into amazing ice formations. The scenery of these forested ridgelines is truly spectacular in the winter. Also, wildlife can be easier to spot in the winter because the deciduous trees have lost their leaves.

The main drawback to visiting in the winter is many of the roads close for the season. Primary roads, such as Highway 441, Cades Cove Road Loop, and Little River Road remain open, weather permitting. But, secondary roads close through the winter, you can look at the full list of seasonal road closures here. Clingmans Dome Road closes to vehicle traffic from December 1st to March 31st. Because it is the highest elevation in the park and can experience temperature differences of 10-20° from the bottom of the mountain to its top. (Just because the road is closed doesn’t mean you can’t still get to the top for amazing views. You can hike on the Appalachian Trail from Newfound Gap to the top of Clingmans Dome. This 15-mile hike will take you to the tallest peak in the park, giving you outstanding views of the Smokies; and when the air quality is high, you can see into seven states!)

Another drawback to visiting the Smokies in the winter is the unpredictable precipitation. On average, per year, the lower elevations experience 55 inches of rainfall, and higher elevations could see as much as 85 inches of rainfall. Sometimes the temperature is not cold enough to turn that precipitation into snow, so you get a cold, wet rain in the winter—which most people don’t find ideal for hiking. Always have rain gear with you, in case the weather changes drastically, as it often does.

There are countless things to do in the winter wonderland of the Smokies. Below are the most popular things to do during December, January, and February:

Hiking: Winter is the season for chasing frozen waterfalls, and looking down on the snow-covered Smokies. There are many incredible trails that become even more wonderful in the winter—we have listed a few of our favorites below. Trails range from easy with little elevation gain, to strenuous with 2500 feet of elevation gain; there is something for everyone in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. No matter which trail you choose, you will be rewarded with majestic views of this winter wonderland.

Cross-Country Skiing: Nothing beats the thrill of crushing the uphills, and cruising the downhills on a pair of cross-country skis. Since Clingmans Dome Road is closed to vehicles for the entire season, it is a great place to try cross-country skiing to the tallest peak in Tennessee. You can rent a pair of skis at Ober Gatlinburg, just outside the park. Check the seasonal road closures before entering the park, as well as the temporary road closures (Newfound Gap Road closes occasionally if the weather is poor enough).

Downhill Skiing: Just outside the park is Ober Gatlinburg, which offers fantastic downhill skiing, and other winter activities. Here, you have the chance to experience the rush of skiing down the scenic Smokies.

Sightseeing: Winter is a great time to drive around the park and see all the sights. Newfound Gap Road is open the whole season, weather permitting, and provides incredible vantage points to the mountains. Cades Cove is a great loop to drive in the winter, as well as visiting the other historical sites in Oconaluftee and Cataloochee.

Hiking in the winter is absolutely magical in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park! Most of the time you are walking in a winter wonderland. The trail is often dusted with snow, and many trails take you to impressive vantage points of the snow-covered mountains, while others take you to beautifully frozen waterfalls. It is a time of peace and solitude on the trails, and you are rewarded with picture-perfect scenery.

The best trails to hike in winter are:

Backpacking in the Great Smoky Mountains is ideal in the winter. There are exponentially fewer crowds in the winter, and even fewer as you hit the trail on a multi-day backpacking trip. The best thing about backpacking in the winter is experiencing the solitude of the season while taking in some of the best scenery in the Smokies. Read how to obtain backcountry permits, and know which backcountry campsites you are interested in before setting up an itinerary.

Guided winter backpacking trips are available, where you will travel past impressive (and sometimes frozen) waterfalls, historical sites, and meandering streams and rivers, on the historically rich route used by Native Americans, and then the settlers, loggers, and miners that followed. Wildland Trekking’s guided trips are all-inclusive; the company providing all appropriate gear, gourmet backcountry meals, and transportation.

The drastic change in elevation from a mountain’s base to its top has a huge impact on the climate and temperature. At low elevations, you can experience temperatures ranging from 50° to 70° during the days, and at high elevations, you can experience up to two feet of snow during a storm. Make sure you keep an eye on the weather at both Sugarlands Visitor Center (1,462 feet elevation), and Clingmans Dome (6,644 feet elevation). You can also check out the Park Service’s webcams for Clingmans Dome and Look Rock for up-to-date views on the weather, and air quality.

Below are the typical weather patterns for the Great Smoky Mountains:

Great Smoky Mountains National Park is a rich, pristine wilderness with abundant wildlife, amazing views, and unforgettable opportunities for hiking vacations. Wildland Trekking offers a variety of ways to enjoy the Smoky Mountains, including backpacking trips, portered treks, inn-based tours, and day hikes.

Guided Smoky Mountain treks are all-inclusive meaning the following is included: local round-trip transportation from Asheville; wonderful meals; top-of-the-line equipment; risk management systems; professional hiking/wilderness guides and more.