National Park · TN, NC
Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Great Smoky Mountains is quietest in January and February and busiest in October.
America's most-visited national park: mist-shrouded ridges, wildflowers, historic homesteads, and 850 miles of trails.
12.7M recreation visits a year on average (2023–2025)
Data: NPS visitation 2023–2025 · crowd scores computed Oct 2026 · alerts checked Oct 18, 2026. How this is calculated →
Computed from federal data · Methodology by Sharon Ben-Moshe
Pick a month to visit Great Smoky Mountains
This week
7-day forecast
| Day | Conditions | High | Low | Precip chance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mon 19 | Clear | 60°F | 45°F | 0% |
| Tue 20 | Overcast | 66°F | 49°F | 0% |
| Wed 21 | Overcast | 65°F | 47°F | 0% |
| Thu 22 | Clear | 63°F | 44°F | 0% |
| Fri 23 | Clear | 67°F | 45°F | 0% |
| Sat 24 | Clear | 65°F | 43°F | 0% |
| Sun 25 | Overcast | 61°F | 43°F | 0% |
Forecast data by Open-Meteo
Source: Open-Meteo
Weather
Monthly climate normals
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Precip |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 50°F | 28°F | 4.9" |
| February | 54°F | 30°F | 4.9" |
| March | 61°F | 36°F | 5.4" |
| April | 70°F | 43°F | 4.3" |
| May | 76°F | 52°F | 4.7" |
| June | 82°F | 60°F | 5.4" |
| July | 85°F | 64°F | 5.6" |
| August | 85°F | 63°F | 4.9" |
| September | 80°F | 57°F | 3.6" |
| October | 71°F | 45°F | 3.1" |
| November | 61°F | 37°F | 4.2" |
| December | 52°F | 30°F | 4.9" |
Source: NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals, Gatlinburg
Know before you go
Fees & hours
- Entrance fee
- Free — No entrance fee; parking tag required ($5/day, $15/week, $40/year)
- Hours
- Open 24 hours year-round; some secondary roads close seasonally
Source: NPS Data API
Conditions
Current alerts
- Information
Most visitors need a parking tag
All vehicles parking for longer than 15 minutes require a parking tag. Three tag durations are available for purchase for all vehicle sizes and types: Daily ($5), Weekly ($15), or Annual ($40).
Details on nps.gov → - Park Closure
Straight Fork and the one-way section of Balsam Mountain Road closed.
Straight Fork and the one-way section of Balsam Mountain Road (Heintooga Round-Bottom Road) are closed.
Details on nps.gov → - Park Closure
Park Headquarters Road is closed
Park Headquarters Road is closed due to rehabilitation work on the Sugarlands water and wastewater systems.
- Park Closure
Cherokee Orchard Road Closed to Pedestrian Traffic
Cherokee Orchard Road is currently closed to pedestrian traffic due to bear activity. All visitors must stay in their vehicles. Do not stop or park your vehicle in the roadway.
- Park Closure
Kuwohi Road Closure
Kuwohi Road is closed due to forecasted ice creating hazardous driving conditions.
Details on nps.gov →
Source: NPS Data API
FAQ
Great Smoky Mountains questions
When is the best time to visit Great Smoky Mountains?
Great Smoky Mountains is least crowded in January, February, and December. October is the busiest month, so visiting outside it means thinner crowds and easier parking.
How much does it cost to visit Great Smoky Mountains?
Entry to Great Smoky Mountains is free.
When is Great Smoky Mountains busiest?
Great Smoky Mountains is busiest in October, when crowds rate 10/10 (peak). Expect full parking lots and longer waits; arrive early or choose a quieter month.
How crowded is Great Smoky Mountains during holidays and fee-free days?
Holiday weekends (Memorial Day, Labor Day, Fourth of July) and official NPS fee-free days typically bring peak crowd conditions to Great Smoky Mountains. Arrive before 8 AM or after 3 PM to secure parking and avoid peak trail congestion.