Winter
Overview
Winter in the Great Smoky Mountains sees some snow in the higher elevations of the park while the lower elevations can be much more mild and moderate. Temperatures range from the low 30’s to the low 50’s with occasional spells of colder weather. The park sees far less visitation in the winter months (keeping in mind it’s still the country’s most-visited national park) and remains very accessible.
Winter Monthly Temperatures in Great Smoky Mountains National Park
December | 46F / 23F |
January | 43F / 20F |
February | 47F / 23F |
Things to See in Great Smoky Mountains In Winter
Winter Activities in Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Popular Winter activities in the Great Smoky Mountains include:
- Hiking the Appalachian Trail.
- Driving the Cades Cove loop road.
- Fishing for trout along the parks streams.
- Enjoying the park without the crowds
- Taking in the view from Clingmans Dome

Interested in what Great Smoky Mountains is like during other times of the year? Check out our Great Smoky Mountains Seasons & Weather page to learn more about which season is best for your visit to the park. Our personal favorite is Fall but Spring can be nice as well.
The Great Smoky Mountains Film
↓
This video is the culmination of two weeks exploring Great Smoky Mountains National Park. We chose Great Smoky Mountains as our second ever park film because of it’s extraordinary display of fall colors, it’s incredibly diverse wildlife population, and it’s prominence as the most visited national park in the country. This film was shot entirely in 4K UHD.
Experience more National Parks
↓
Joshua Tree National Park

Zion National Park

Badlands National Park

Leave a Reply