3 Best Things to Do in the Smoky Mountains in the Spring
Headed to the Great Smoky Mountains this spring? From hiking trails to picnic spots, you’ll find plenty of places to explore with your family and enjoy the beautiful spring weather. To help you get ideas of what to do, here are a few of the best things to do in the Smoky Mountains in the spring:
1. Hiking in the Smokies
While hiking in Great Smoky Mountains National Park is a great activity all year round, springtime is a great time to go out and explore the trails, since most are lined with beautiful wildflowers and new spring buds on trees. A few great hikes in the spring include:
- Ace Gap Trail: 10.2 miles roundtrip and moderate in difficulty. You’ll see all kinds of blooms, like flame azalea and yellow trillium.
- Cosby Nature Trail: 1.1 miles roundtrip and easy for all skill levels. You’ll probably see all kinds of birds when you’re on this hike, as well as wildflowers, including Vasey’s trillium and Dutchman britches.
- Porters Creek Trail: 7-mile roundtrip hike and easy in difficulty. Wildflowers along this path include yellow trillium and woodland bluets.
- Schoolhouse Gap Trail: 4.7 miles roundtrip and moderate for families. You can see sun drops, beaked violets, and golden aster.
2. Have a Picnic
Kids and parents alike love having a picnic in the Smoky Mountains! Most picnic areas have picnic tables and charcoal grills, so you can either bring a cooler of cold cuts for sandwiches or hot dogs and hamburgers to grill out. No matter where you have your picnic, you’ll love spending time together as a family!
Here’s a quick breakdown of some of the top picnic spots in the Smokies:
- Cades Cove: convenient stop along the Scenic Loop Road; not uncommon to spot wildlife
- Metcalf Bottoms: scenic area along the Little Pigeon River; hiking, fishing, and historic sites nearby for easy access
- Twin Creeks Picnic Pavilion: located near downtown Gatlinburg; great option for larger families and groups
- Patriot Park: located in Pigeon Forge; close to popular attractions like The Island
Reminder: When picnicking in the Smokies, don’t forget about the Leave No Trace Policy and to carefully discard any food or trash in the bear-proof receptacles throughout the park. You also won’t want to leave food in an unlocked vehicle, as bears are known to open car doors!
3. Get a Bird’s Eye View
There’s nothing better than breathing in fresh mountain air during springtime in the Smokies, and what better way to do just that than at a scenic overlook? These are some of our favorite spots for Smoky Mountain views:
- Gatlinburg SkyLift and SkyBridge: ride the scenic chairlift up to Crockett Mountain, then face your fears and cross the longest pedestrian cable bridge in the country. The views are spectacular!
- Ober Aerial Tramway: one of the most iconic attractions in Gatlinburg, the tram ride to the top of Ober Mountain is a must-do for anyone wanting to experience panoramic views of the Smokies.
- Kuwohi: the highest point in Great Smoky Mountains National Park; the steep, half-mile paved trail to the observation tower is worth the trek!
Want to learn more about one of the most exciting things to do in the Smoky Mountains in the spring? Check out the top ziplines in the Smokies!
