Great Smoky Mountains · December
Great Smoky Mountains in December
December is a good time to visit Great Smoky Mountains — quieter than November, about as busy as January.
Crowd score
How busy it gets
A comfortable middle ground: some company on popular trails, but no gridlock.
About 36% of this park's busiest month.
Source: NPS Visitor Use Statistics, 2023–2025
Data: NPS visitation 2023–2025 · crowd scores computed Jul 2026 · alerts checked Jul 10, 2026. How this is calculated →
Computed from federal data · Methodology by Sharon Ben-Moshe
Visitation
Typical December visits vs. the year
Typical monthly recreation visits, averaged over the most recent three full years.
Source: NPS Visitor Use Statistics, 2023–2025
Weather
December weather
- Avg high
- 52°F
- Avg low
- 30°F
- Precipitation
- 4.9"
- Sunrise
- 6:36 AM
- Sunset
- 4:22 PM
- Daylight
- 9.8h
Source: NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals, Gatlinburg
What's open
Great Smoky Mountains in December: access
Open 24 hours year-round; some secondary roads close seasonally
Seasonal closures may apply:
- 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 → - Information
Cades Cove Loop Road is closed to motor vehicles every Wednesday
Cades Cove Loop Road is closed to motor vehicles every Wednesday through September 30. This allows pedestrians and cyclists to enjoy the cove without the presence of vehicles on the roadway.
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.
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 → - Information
Cades Cove Loop Road is closed to motor vehicles every Wednesday
Cades Cove Loop Road is closed to motor vehicles every Wednesday through September 30. This allows pedestrians and cyclists to enjoy the cove without the presence of vehicles on the roadway.
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.
Source: NPS Data API
Context
Great Smoky Mountains crowds across the year
Alternatives
Quieter nearby in December
FAQ
Great Smoky Mountains in December
How busy is Great Smoky Mountains in December?
December rates 4/10 for crowds (Moderate) at Great Smoky Mountains National Park — about 36% of its busiest month. Typical recreation visits: 590,510.
What is the weather like at Great Smoky Mountains in December?
In December, Great Smoky Mountains averages a high of 52°F and a low of 30°F, with about 4.9 inches of precipitation.