winter in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park

December 10, 2014

Great Smoky Mountains National Park Makes Fox News’ List of Most-Picturesque Parks

There is nothing quite like winter in the Smoky Mountains, especially in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. This is the time of year where the traffic slows down and the atmosphere becomes quite peaceful.

That being said, we are not the only ones who have noticed just how beautiful the Great Smoky Mountains National Park is in winter. In fact, Fox News recently named our beloved national park among one of the most picturesque parks in the country.

According to Fox News, what makes this season in the Smoky Mountains special is that the mountains transform into their own version of a winter wonderland. In addition, Fox compares the views this time of year to the ones that families and visitors should expect to see in the movies.

Great Smoky Mountains National Park in winter

Why we love winter in the Smoky Mountains

Aside from the breathtaking views, here are a few more reasons why you and your family will love spending winter in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

Tons of Fun Things to Do

Whether you are trying to sneak in a little last-minute Christmas shopping or you are wanting to try your hand at skiing for the first time, families and guests headed to the Smokies this season will not run out of fun things to do. Here is a brief list of a few of our favorite winter activities your family can enjoy now:

–Ober Gatlinburg Ski Resort: The only ski resort in Tennessee, Ober Gatlinburg has a long history of providing family-friendly entertainment that spans over 50 years. In addition to their over 9 ski slopes, guests here will also find a thrilling snow tubing slope, ice skating rink, a restaurant and several quaint shops.

You can either park at the ski resort or in downtown Gatlinburg and ride the Aerial Tramway up. For driving directions to Ober Gatlinburg, use the map below!

–Winter Hiking in the Smoky Mountains: There is no better way to get an up-close look at the scenic winter views in the Smoky Mountains than spending a couple of hours exploring the hiking trails found inside the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. With a trial for every experience level, there is no doubt that you and your family will find the perfect outdoor adventure during your winter Smoky Mountain vacation.

Before you hit the trails, be sure to check out our Smoky Mountain hiking tips for a fun and safe adventure.

scenic Smoky Mountains in winter

–Take a Scenic Drive Through the Great Smoky Mountains National Park: If you want to experience the beauty of winter in the Smokies first hand but you don’t want to leave the comfort of your car, consider taking a scenic drive through the mountains. You and your family can either travel along Little River Road or Newfound Gap Road to find the most scenic views. Please keep in mind, some of the roads in the Great Smoky Mountains do close during the winter, depending on the weather.

To stay up to date on which roads in the national park are open during your trip, be sure to visit the National Park Service’s website at https://www.nps.gov/grsm/index.htm.

Christmas is Everywhere

The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is not the only area that truly comes to life this time of year. Thanks to the Smoky Mountain Winterfest, guests and visitors traveling to the area this winter will be in awe of the abundance of Christmas decorations all throughout the Smokies. This includes millions of dazzling holiday lights that line the streets from the moment you get off the interstate to the edge of downtown Gatlinburg.

Smoky Mountains in winter.

Relaxing Vacation Rentals

Finally, if you and your family want to experience all the relaxation a beauty that winter in the Smoky Mountains really has to offer, you all should consider staying in one of the many spacious vacation rentals in Pigeon Forge or Gatlinburg. Located next door to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, these rentals give you a ton of privacy as well as unbeatable panoramic views of the mountains in the distance.

To begin the search of your next favorite cabin rental in the Smokies, feel free to browse through HearthSide Cabin Rentals’ online cabin inventory. You can narrow your search based on amenities, number of bedrooms, location, and more!

Ready to see the beauty of winter in the Smoky Mountains for yourself? Start planning your next vacation to the area today by giving one of the experienced reservation specialists at HearthSide Cabin Rentals a call today. They will be more than happy to answer any and all questions that you and your family may have.