Surrounded by Great Smoky Mountains National Park and exciting urban hubs like Pigeon Forge, Gatlinburg is a year-round adventure destination. While the best time to visit depends on you and your travel companions, the season transforms Gatlinburg into a winter wonderland. Here, you can ring in the holidays, indulge in a cozy cabin getaway, or both.
To help you plan your winter visit, we’ve put together a guide on what to do, what to pack, and what to expect weather-wise. Read on to learn more, and book your stay with Prestige Vacation Rentals to be close to all the winter fun.
Winter Weather in Gatlinburg
Photo Credit: Daniel Korzeniewski
Due to the city’s elevation, winter in Gatlinburg brings lower temperatures and the occasional snowstorm. But most of the time, you can expect sunny days and relatively mild temperatures. Lows typically stay in the 20s for the months of December, January, and February, with highs in the 50s and 40s.
Snow sometimes falls across the region during winter, giving the nearby Smoky Mountains a light dusting that appears magical in photos. But even if you don’t see a true white Christmas, trust us—the mountains will still look stunning at this time of year.
Best Things to Do in the Winter in Gatlinburg
Winter in Gatlinburg offers a variety of different experiences that are sure to pique any visitor’s interest. To give you a few ideas, here’s a taste of our favorite things to do at this time of year.
Take a Hike
Between frozen waterfalls, fewer crowds, and enchanting scenery, a winter hike allows visitors to see the Great Smoky Mountains in a new light. Plus, you won’t have to contend with as many cars on the roads, so parking will be a breeze (just check for road closures before you set out).
Here are some of our top picks for winter hikes:
- Laurel Falls Trail (2.4 miles, easy)
- Trillium Gap Trail to Grotto Falls (6.8 miles, moderate)
- Charlies Bunion via Appalachian Trail (8 miles, moderate)
- Alum Cave Trail to Mount LeConte (11 miles, hard)
Slide in the Snow at Ober Mountain
Photo Credit: Wikimedia Commons via Google Images CCL
From the Parkway in downtown Gatlinburg, take the Aerial Tramway up to Ober Mountain and experience a true snow day. Though open year-round, the area is especially popular in winter. Ober is one of the region’s few ski resorts. It has a snow tubing hill and a family-friendly snow park.
Snow machines at Ober Mountain ensure that there’s always plenty of the good stuff to go around, even during our sunny winter days. When you’re ready to head indoors, check out the ice skating rink or bumper cars.
Get Above it All at Anakeesta
Located on a mountain peak just outside Gatlinburg, Anakeesta Mountaintop Adventure Park has a little something for everyone in your group. Kids are sure to love all the winter activities, while a plethora of restaurants and shops will keep the grown-ups entertained.
Pro tip: as you explore all the different nooks and crannies of Anakeesta, make sure to set aside some time to admire the mountain views. The park has a number of well-placed Adirondack chairs for guests to take in the surrounding vistas.
Bend Your Brain at Ripley’s
Photo Credit: Joseph Hendrickson
After all that outdoor excitement, you might want to warm up inside. Luckily, Ripley’s Believe It Or Not! has everything you might need for an exciting day in the great indoors—dozens of fascinating exhibitions, the sprawling Ripley’s Aquarium, and hands-on recreation await. Just be aware that Ripley’s hours do change at this time of year.
Sip Some ‘Shine on a Distillery Tour
Need a little help warming up? You’ll want to try our special local delicacy: moonshine. This unique concoction has been brewed in the region for centuries, and there’s no better way to put some pep in your step during the chilly winter months.
You can tour distilleries and sample different beverages at one of these local spots:
Winter Events in Gatlinburg
Rain, snow, or shine, several different celebrations take place around Gatlinburg during the holiday season, comprising Gatlinburg’s WinterFest. These Christmas and New Year celebrations are just a starting point, though—for more winter events, check out the city calendar.
Great Smoky Arts & Crafts Community Holiday Show
Photo Credit: JennLShoots
Get a head start on your holiday gift shopping at this annual show hosted by the Great Smoky Arts & Crafts Community. You can browse through tables of handmade goodies, as well as vintage items like Victorian pottery. The show takes place at the Gatlinburg Convention Center over the course of a week in early December—the perfect time to start showing some holiday cheer.
Festival of Trees
Photo Credit: AlejandroCarnicero
Gatlinburg’s four-day Festival of Trees is not to be missed. The festivities typically kick off with a Candy Canes and Cocktails Reception, followed by a multi-day extravaganza of Christmas decor, which includes wreaths and, of course, trees. Kids can also meet Santa Claus himself. All proceeds go to charity, so you can celebrate in style, knowing your money will go to a good cause.
Fantasy of Lights Christmas Parade
This thrilling annual event has drawn visitors to downtown Gatlinburg for some 50 years. The Fantasy of Lights parade showcases huge floats, marching bands performing festive tunes, holiday-themed balloons, and much more. A tree-lighting ceremony kicks things off before the parade makes its way through the city.
You can attend for free, but officials recommend arriving early if you want a good spot to watch the celebrations. The Fantasy of Lights is hugely popular, so parking and seating may be tight.
Lights Over Gatlinburg
High above the city, the Gatlinburg SkyPark sets the night sky glowing in an array of different colors every winter. The Lights Over Gatlinburg features thousands of twinkling Christmas lights displays that are all but guaranteed to get everyone in the holiday spirit.
This event runs for roughly a month between November and December, giving visitors plenty of opportunity to see the spectacle. But Lights Over Gatlinburg has attracted its fair share of media attention in recent years, so you should still reserve your tickets as early as possible.
New Year’s Eve Ball Drop & Fireworks Show
Photo Credit: Ted Abbott via Flickr CC 2.0
On December 31, head over to the Gatlinburg Space Needle to ring the right way in the New Year. This annual event is free to the public, though early arrival is once again recommended—some 50,000 visitors attend every year. Audiences can marvel at a drone lights show and an extravagant fireworks display to mark the occasion. Down on the ground, sample holiday-themed eats and listen to live music from local bands.
Packing for Your Winter Getaway
As temperatures cool, you should keep a few extra items in mind for your winter trip to Gatlinburg. Here’s what we’d recommend:
- Winter coat
- Winter boots
- Mittens or gloves
- Camera
- For hikers, trekking poles and/or shoe traction devices
Get Festive in with a Gatlinburg Winter Getaway
Whether you want to spend your winter hiking, exploring local history and culture, or simply admiring holiday lights displays, winter in Gatlinburg offers a truly magical experience for everyone. Thanks to a variety of kid-friendly and adult-oriented activities alike, visitors of all ages can enjoy the most wonderful time of the year here.
That said, you’ll need to plan your trip ASAP so you don’t miss out on any of the fun. Check out our options at Prestige Vacation Rentals and reserve your stay—we can’t wait to welcome winter with you!
