Here at Chalet Village, we absolutely love springtime in Gatlinburg, Tennessee! With warmer weather, beautiful scenery, and a ton of fun events on the calendar, spring is one of the most exciting times to visit the Smokies. To help you make the most of your vacation, we have put together a guide to four of our favorite things to do in Gatlinburg TN in the spring.
1. Explore the Great Outdoors
The spring climate in Gatlinburg is idyllic. On average, you can expect highs in the 70s and lows in the 50s, which is perfect for enjoying outdoor activities. Of course, the best place to take advantage of the beautiful weather is the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. With 522,427 acres of majestic scenery to explore, the national park offers virtually endless outdoor adventures. Best of all, the Great Smoky Mountains National Park doesn’t charge an admission fee, so all of the fun in the Smokies is free of charge.
In addition to the national park, the Gatlinburg area is home to a number of businesses that offer thrilling outdoor activities. Here are a few of our favorite things to do inside and outside of the national park:
- Hiking
- Picnicking
- Auto touring
- Whitewater rafting
- Ziplining
- Mountain biking
- Horseback riding
2. Enjoy Special Events
Another highlight of visiting Gatlinburg TN in the spring is all of the wonderful seasonal events. Here are some of the city’s most popular springtime festivities:
- The Smoky Mountain Winefest in April provides the opportunity to sample some of the best wines in Tennessee at one fun event.
- The Spring Wildflower Pilgrimage in April is five days of classes, seminars, and guided hikes in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and at the Mills Conference Center in Gatlinburg.
- The Great Smoky Easter Arts & Crafts Show in April is the perfect place to pick up handcrafted souvenirs in Gatlinburg.
- The Gatlinburg Beans & Cornbread Festival in May is a popular cook off with delicious samples and live music.
- Smoky Mountain Tunes & Tales is a free concert series in downtown Gatlinburg that begins in June and lasts through July.
3. See the Wildflowers
The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is home to some of the most breathtaking spring wildflowers in the world. With over 1,500 types of flowering plants, it’s no wonder the Smokies have earned the nickname “Wildflower National Park”. As you may have noticed in the “Events” section of this blog, the annual Spring Wildflower Pilgrimage takes place in April, and features expert-led tours of the flowers in the national park. While April may be peak season, you can find beautiful flowers in the Smokies throughout the spring and into the summer.
Here are a few of the best hikes for wildflower viewing:
- Cove Hardwood Self-guiding Nature Trail
- Schoolhouse Gap Trail
- Gregory Ridge Trail (first 2 miles)
- Little River Trail (mid-March through April)
- Porters Creek Trail (late March through April, first 1.5 miles)
4. Take in the Views from Your Cabin
While there is plenty of fun to be had in the national park and in town, one of the best parts of visiting Gatlinburg TN in the spring is just relaxing at your cabin. Many of our properties provide breathtaking views of the mountains that are truly spectacular in the spring months. Sitting out on your deck and kicking back in a rocking chair or soaking in a hot tub is the perfect way to spend an afternoon.
To start planning your spring vacation at Chalet Village, browse our selection of Gatlinburg cabin rentals!
