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Winter in Gatlinburg is magical. Not many people think to visit the Smoky Mountains in the winter, but you absolutely must! There are so many spectacular things to do in Gatlinburg in the winter, and you can enjoy many of these things without the usual crowds that infiltrate the area from spring through fall.
In this guide, I’m sharing six incredible things to do in Gatlinburg in the winter! From fun outdoor winter activities in Gatlinburg and streets of twinkly holiday lights to cozy cabin retreats and frozen waterfall hikes, there’s a little something for everyone on this list.
So grab your coat and boots and get ready for winter in Gatlinburg!
WINTER IN GATLINBURG AT A GLANCE
- Average Weather in the Winter (High/Low): 50℉ / 28℉
- Closest Airport: McGhee Tyson Airport in Knoxville. Find affordable flights here.
- How to Get Around: You’ll need to rent a personal vehicle to get around Gatlinburg and Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
- Where to Stay: Margaritaville Resort, Deer Ridge Mountain Resort, or a cozy cabin in the woods. Read my complete Where to Stay Guide!
- How Long to Visit: 5-7 days
6 Incredible Things to Do in Gatlinburg in Winter
1. Snow Tubing, Skiing & Skating in Ober Gatlinburg
Ober Gatlinburg is the place to be in the winter! This adventure park and ski area is open year-round; in the winter season, you can go snow tubing, skiing, ice skating, snowboarding, and more.
On top of the massive indoor facility packed with shops, concessions, and an ice rink, Ober Gatlinburg boasts an outdoor winter paradise with ski slopes, a snow tubing hill, and a kid’s snow zone.
Visiting Ober Gatlinburg in the winter is enjoyable because you can experience fun winter activities like snow tubing, skiing, and ice skating, without the frigid temperatures.
With Ober’s advanced snowmaking machines, you could be tubing and skiing in a balmy 70 degrees like we did this past January!
2. Snowshoe Clingmans Dome Road
Gatlinburg doesn’t always “feel” like winter – the town only gets about 9 inches of snow annually. But if you want a real winter experience – I’m talking knee-deep snow and wind/temps so fierce you feel like your ears might fall off – head on over to Clingmans Dome!
Kuwohi Road, located about 16 miles from downtown Gatlinburg, is closed to vehicles from December through March due to snowy conditions. Use this as an opportunity to snowshoe, fat bike, or cross-country ski down the 7-mile road!
Simply park at the Newfound Gap parking area located directly across from the entrance to Kuwohi Road, and hike/bike/snowshoe down the road as far as you want!
READ NEXT: Beginner’s Guide to Snowshoeing
3. Cozy Up in a Cute Cabin
Aside from snowshoeing or skiing through a blizzard, there’s nothing more wintery than cozying up inside a wooden cabin with a roaring fire or sitting on a wrap-around porch in a bubbling hot tub.
We’ve stayed in many cozy cabins in Gatlinburg over the years, and they’ve never disappointed us. Nothing quite beats a quiet cabin in the woods, a gurgling outdoor hot tub, and sweeping mountain views.
There are so many great cabins in Gatlinburg, but these are some of my recommendations:
- Cabin #1. 2 beds, 1.5 baths, hot tub, pool, mountain views, fireplace.
- Cabin #2. 1 bed, 1 bath, hot tub, gas grill, fireplace.
- Cabin #3. 1 bed, 1 bath, hot tub, fireplace, mountain views, rain shower.
- Cabin #4. 2 beds, 3.5 baths, hot tub, gas grill, mountain views, covered porch, game room with a pool table.
- Cabin #5. 2 beds, 2 baths, hot tub, grill, pool table, in-room jacuzzi, fireplace.
- Cabin #6. 2 beds, 2 baths, year-round unobstructed mountain views, hot tub, game room with air hockey and foosball, and fireplace.
- Cabin #7. 2 beds, 2 baths, fireplace, deck, grill, creek view, 6 blocks from Gatlinburg.
4. Hike in Great Smoky Mountains National Park
With the nation’s most popular National Park just steps away from downtown Gatlinburg, you absolutely have to make a stop! And what better way to explore the park in the winter than to go for a nice hike?
Winter temperatures in the Smokies vary drastically. The mountains receive heavy snowfall and experience frigid temperatures, while the lower elevations barely receive any snowfall, and daytime temperatures are typically pretty mild.
So depending on where you go in the park, you could be experiencing comfortable hiking conditions with mild temperatures or a winter wonderland with snow-covered trails and frozen waterfalls. That’s one quality that makes winter in the Smokies so magical!
There are so many great hikes in Great Smoky Mountains National Park that are just minutes from Gatlinburg’s doorstep, so the options are endless. I’ll mention some good ones below.
If you’re looking for a lower-elevation hike near Gatlinburg, here are some of my recommendations:
- Rainbow Falls. Only 4 miles from Gatlinburg, this 5-mile roundtrip trail leads to a beautiful waterfall.
- Laurel Falls. Only 7 miles from downtown Gatlinburg, this is probably the most popular trail in the park. And for good reason! This 2.4-mile trail will take you to a gorgeous waterfall. Read my Laurel Falls trail guide here.
- Gatlinburg Trail. This is one of two hikes in the park that are dog-friendly! The trailhead begins in downtown Gatlinburg and travels about 2 miles to the Sugarlands Visitor Center.
- Cove Mountain Trail to Cataract Falls. Starting behind the Sugarlands Visitor Center, this is an easy 1.1-mile roundtrip trail that leads to a gentle waterfall.
- Fighting Creek Nature Trail. This 1.4-mile loop also starts behind the Sugarlands Visitor Center and takes you past a creek, through the woods, and to some historic cabins.
- Meigs Creek Trail to Meigs Cascade. This 3.5-mile out & back trail is located about 14 miles from downtown Gatlinburg off Little River Gorge Road. See the Sinks (the famous waterfall and swimming hole right off the parking lot) and hike up to another beautiful waterfall! Read my Sinks & Meigs Creek Trail guide here.
If you’re looking to snowshoe (and willing to drive a little bit into the park), here are my recommendations:
- Mount LeConte. There are many routes to the top of Mount LeConte, the shortest one being 11 miles. Read my full trail guide to find out how to summit the third tallest mountain peak in the Smokies.
- Kuwohi (formerly Clingmans Dome). While the Clingmans Dome Observation Tower Trail itself is only about a mile, you’ll have to hike the 7-mile (one-way) road first. This is because Clingmans Dome Road is closed to vehicles in the winter.
- Mount Cammerer. This epic lookout tower trail also has many routes to the summit but it’ll be a roughly 11-mile strenuous trek to the top. The finish line is a fire tower with panoramic views of the mountains.
READ NEXT: Best Outdoor Things to Do in Knoxville, Tennessee (By Month!)
5. Drive Cades Cove
Cades Cove is one of the most popular scenic drives in the Smokies, and it’s easy to see why. The wide-open valley with historic cabins and wildlife is incredibly beautiful! However, the road gets extremely crowded in the busy season. Bumper-to-bumper traffic isn’t exactly my idea of a great time.
Winter is a great time to drive Cades Cove because the traffic is so much lighter than it is the rest of the year! Enjoy a leisurely drive as you cruise the 11-mile scenic loop.
Don’t expect to see too many bears in the winter though. While these bears don’t exactly hibernate – they just enter long periods of sleep – I rarely see them out and about on the trails and the roads during the winter months. You can read more about bears in the Smoky Mountains in my full guide here.
READ NEXT: Ultimate Cades Cove Travel Guide
6. Explore the Town and See the Winterfest Lights
Winter is a lovely time of year to explore the adorable mountain town of Gatlinburg, peruse the gift shops, sit in the cozy coffee shops, and most importantly, see the holiday lights.
Gatlinburg’s winter calendar of events is jam-packed with seasonal activities like Winterfest, Festival of Trees, Fantasy of Lights Christmas Parade, the New Year’s Eve Ball Drop and Fireworks show, and much more!
Visit the town of Gatlinburg’s official site to see a list of all of the exciting winter events that are planned for this year!
READ NEXT: Smoky Mountains in the Winter: What to Expect
FAQs About Winter in Gatlinburg
Does it snow in Gatlinburg in December?
The chances of a White Christmas are slim in Gatlinburg, but it is possible.
While it is typically cold enough to snow, especially overnight, Gatlinburg only receives about 1 inch of snow in December. And when it does snow, it usually melts during the daytime because the temperatures rise above freezing.
If you’re looking for snow, head into the mountains. You’ll find plenty of fluffy white snow there! Kuwohi, Mount LeConte, and Newfound Gap all receive dozens of inches of snow per year.
What is the Snowiest Month in Gatlinburg?
January! On average, Gatlinburg receives about 4 inches of snowfall in January.
Is Gatlinburg Busy in the Winter?
Winter, aside from Christmas and New Year’s, is the low season for Gatlinburg and Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
January and February are the least-visited months in Great Smoky Mountains National Park and typically the least-crowded months in Gatlinburg, so winter is a great time of year to escape the crowds.
Finish Planning Your Trip to the Smokies
Here are some guides to help you plan your trip to Great Smoky Mountains National Park that are on the blog right now!
- Ultimate Great Smoky Mountains Itinerary (From a Local!)
- When Is the Best Time to Visit the Smoky Mountains? Each Season Compared
- Where to Stay in the Smokies: Breakdown By Town
- Cades Cove Vs. Roaring Fork: Which Scenic Drive Is Better?
- Which Smokies Campground Is Right For You?
- Tennessee Vs. North Carolina: Which Side of the Smokies Is Better?
- 5 Dog-Friendly Things to Do in Great Smoky Mountains
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