3 Best Things to Do in the Smoky Mountains in the Spring
Headed to the Great Smoky Mountains this spring? You’re probably wondering what you’re going to do while you’re in town, and we want to share some of the fun things to do in the Smokies in the spring! From hiking to having a picnic, you have so many options. Here are the best 3 things to do in the Smoky Mountains in the spring:
1. Hiking in the Mountains
While hiking is a great activity all year round, springtime is a great time to go hiking. Most of the trails are lined with beautiful wildflowers and new spring buds on trees. Baby animals are coming out from their homes for the first time, and everything feels brand new. A few great hikes in the spring include:
- Ace Gap Trail – The Ace Gap Trail is 10.2 miles roundtrip and is considered moderate. You’ll see all kinds of blooms, like flame azalea and yellow trillium.
- Cosby Nature Trail – This trail is 1.1 miles roundtrip. Cosby Nature Trail is considered easy for all skill levels. You’ll probably see all kinds of birds when you’re on this hike. There will also be wildflowers, including Vasey’s trillium and Dutchman britches.
- Porters Creek Trail – Another good hike for any skill level is Porters Creek Trail, a 7-mile hike. Wildflowers along this path include yellow trillium. May apples, and woodland bluets.
- Schoolhouse Gap Trail – Schoolhouse Gap Trail is a 4.7-mile, moderate hiking trail. You can see sun drops, beaked violets, and golden aster.
Hiking is definitely one of the most popular things to do in the Smoky Mountains, and you should be a part of it!
2. Have a Picnic
Kids and parents alike love having a picnic in the Smoky Mountains One of the best places to go is the Cades Cove picnic area. It is a large paved loop with picnic tables and charcoal grills next to the creek. You can bring a cooler full of cold cuts for sandwiches or hot dogs and burgers to grill out because each picnic area has a charcoal grill. No matter what you decide to eat, everyone will have a blast, and the kids can play in the creek afterwards. Metcalf Bottoms is another great area that’s paved so you can park right next to picnic tables. The creek here is large, and the kids will love splashing around in it. If you want to be close to the attractions in Pigeon Forge that you plan on going to, have a picnic in Patriot Park next to the Little Pigeon River! No matter where you have your picnic, you’ll love spending time together as a family!
3. Camping in the Mountains
We can’t make this list without including camping! Camping in the spring is great since it’s not too hot and not too cold. We have 20 camping sites and 6 riverside camping cabins, as well as a general store for all the supplies you need. We have plenty of activities to keep you and your family entertained, like horseshoes, cornhole, and volleyball. We’re also close to places where you can go rafting, horseback riding, and ziplining. There’s plenty of things to do in the Smoky Mountains when you come to camp with us! Check out these tips for spring camping in the Smoky Mountains.
Want to do something exciting in the spring? Here are the top reasons to go ziplining in the Smoky Mountains!
Spring is a great time to come visit us in the Smokies! If you’re wondering what else you can do while you’re in town, check out our things to do in the Smoky Mountains page!
