When to Visit Gatlinburg, Tennessee - Weather & Other Travel Tips

January is the year’s chilliest month in Gatlinburg with an average low temperature of 25°F (-4°C) and an average high temperature of 48°F (10°C). This month already receives the most amount of snowfall in the year with 4 inches (10 cm) expected in the city.

In February, snowfall averages fall to 2 inches (5 cm) as the temperatures start to rise. The average high temperature climbs to 53°F (12°C) while the average low temperature will rise to 28°F (-2°C) for the last of Gatlinburg’s winter months.

Gatlinburg Weather in March: Spring arrives in March along with warmer temperature averages. The average high and average low temperatures range between 61°F (16°C) and 33°F (1°C) with snowfall dwindling down to 1 inch (3 cm).

April sees the last of snow as spring goes into full swing. Average snowfall remains at 1 inch (3 cm) while the average high temperature hits 70°F (21°C). Low temperature averages shoot up to 41°F (5°C).

In May, Gatlinburg sees the highest precipitation rates out of the entire year with an expected rainfall of 6 inches (149 mm). The average high temperatures make another considerable rise to 77°F (25°C) while the average low temperatures hit 50°F (10°C).

Gatlinburg Weather in June: Temperatures climb past the 80s in June with the arrival of summer. Average high temperatures peak at 83°F (28°C) for the first of the summer months. The low temperature average is 58°F (15°C).

July is Gatlinburg’s hottest month of the year with 86°F (30°C) as the average high temperature. The average low temperature bumps up a few degrees to 62°F (17°C).

Gatlinburg Weather in August: Coming in at a close second for the hottest month of the year is August which sees average high and average low temperatures just one degree cooler than the previous month.

In September, the heat starts to subside as autumn comes to Gatlinburg. The average high temperature decreases to 80°F (27°C) and the average low temperature falls to 55°F (13°C).

October has the lowest precipitation rate of the entire year with just 3 inches (68 mm) of rainfall expected. Temperatures continue to cool as the foliage starts to turn hues of red and brown with average high temperatures at 71°F (22°C) and average low temperatures sitting at 43°F (6°C).

Gatlinburg Weather in November: Temperatures continue to sink for November, the last autumn month in Gatlinburg. The low temperature average sits at 34°F (1°C). The average high temperature to be expected is 61°F (16°C) at the most.

December marks the beginning of winter in Gatlinburg and is best illustrated with the first of the season’s snowfall. Average snowfall is 1 inch (3 cm) accompanied by an average high temperature of 51°F (10°C) and an average low temperature of 28°F (-2°C).

The best time to visit the Smoky Mountain Park and enjoy the fall foliage is during the fall season from September to November. The weather in Tennessee can change with a snap of your fingers though, so even if these months are typically dry, pack rain gear just in case. To enjoy the view of the actual mountains, come during the winter season as the lack of foliage makes viewing the mountain ranges much easier. Tennessee is the most beautiful in the spring, so if you want to experience the best of festivals and the state’s flowers and vegetation, come between March through May. Verified Resource: National Weather Service

Travel Tips:

Most people arrive in Gatlinburg by car. There is not much in the way of public transportation that gets visitors to the city. The McGhee-Tyson Airport in Knoxville, Tennessee is the closest airport to Gatlinburg: it is about 40 miles away from the city. Amtrak runs a train to Newbern, TN: Newburn is about 400 miles west of Gatlinburg. There is a Greyhound bus station in Nashville which is a little over 200 miles west of Gatlinburg. This is why most people drive: Gatlinburg is located on the northern edge of Great Smoky Mountains National Park. It is a several hour drive from some of the major cities in the south like Charlotte and Atlanta.

There are several ways to get from the McGhee-Tyson Airport in Knoxville into the city of Gatlinburg. There are quite a few car rental agencies that have offices at the airport. These include Alamo, Avis, Budget, Enterprise, Hertz, National, Payless, Sixt, and Thrifty. Another way to get from the airport to Gatlinburg is by taxi. Some of these taxi companies include Airport Yellow Cab, All Access Taxi, United Airport Taxi, and many more. There are also several charter services that can be used to get from the airport to Gatlinburg. Some of these are Affairs of Style, Chariots of Hire, Rocky Top, and more.

The Gatlinburg Convention and Visitors Bureau is located at 811 East Parkway in Gatlinburg, Here visitors will find “mountains” of information about Gatlinburg and the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. There is information about all types of accommodations including cabins, campsites, condos, hotels, and motels; places to shop; and places to eat. Weddings are popular in this area, so visitors can find information here about getting married in this beautiful part of the United States. The visitors information center also hands out an Outdoor Guide to visitors, as well as information about the Gatlinburg Arts and Crafts Loop. Visitors will also be interested in getting information on the Smoky Mountain hiking trails.

Most visitors arrive in Gatlinburg by car, so they can explore the city this way. Visitors can also easily park their car and walk around the city: most of the attractions, restaurants, and shopping in the downtown area are within walking distance. Another way to get around Gatlinburg is the Gatlinburg Trolleys. This is a fun way to see the city and with an all day pass, it is a very affordable way to get around. There are four trolley routes: Blue, Purple, Red, and Yellow. These routes take visitors to many of the city’s attractions. The Skylift takes visitors to the top of a nearby mountain for spectacular views of the city and the surrounding mountains.

Although it’s not a large city, Gatlinburg offers visitors more than 100 restaurants that will provide a wide range of possible dining experiences. The choices of restaurants range from good old American cooking to ethnic cuisine from around the world. Some of the restaurants in Gatlinburg are somewhat upscale while most of them are very casual. Some of the ingredients are locally sourced. Some of the American style restaurants are the Alamo Steakhouse and Saloon, Bennetts Pit Bar-B-Que, The Peddler Steakhouse, and many more. Some of the ethnic cuisine options include El Sonador Mexican Restaurant, No Way Jose’s Cantina, and many Italian restaurants.

Great shopping is probably not the first thing that comes to mind for visitors to Gatlinburg and the Great Smoky Mountain area. But visitors are in for a surprise. In Gatlinburg there is an eclectic blend of old world shops along the brick streets: there are boutiques, modern galleries, and unique shops. Here you can watch craftsmen spin pottery and fire ceramics. There are also shopping malls in Gatlinburg along with outlet malls such as Tanger Outlet, one of the best of its kind in Tennessee. This area is also known for the scenic Great Smoky Arts and Crafts Loop, something every visitor should explore.

In addition to downtown Gatlinburg, there are a surprising number of neighborhoods that visitors will have fun exploring. The Spur area is half way between Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge, a peaceful neighborhood that offers attractions like Falling Waters at Caney Creek. There are elegant mansions as well as quaint cabins. Attractions include Dollywood, Splash Country, and more. The area called Ski Mountain is a neighborhood complete with the Ober Gatlinburg Ski Resort and amusement park as well as the Village Shopping Center. Gatlinburg East Parkway is a cabin neighborhood. The Cosby neighborhood, once known as the “Moonshine Capital of the World,” is a resort community with cabins and many outdoor activities.

Gatlinburg makes a great place for a wedding: the city boasts that it hosts more weddings than any other destination in the South. Surrounded by the spectacular lush forested Smoky Mountains, Gatlinburg offers a wide variety of wedding venues. The Wedding Chapel in the Glades is a beautiful log wedding chapel with a Secret Garden for indoor and outdoor photos. An Outdoor Wedding at the Park is a venue in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park: there is an indoor chapel in case of uncooperative weather. Skying is popular in Gatlinburg and some couples choose Sky Lift Weddings that take place indoors at the historic Gatlinburg Inn or at the Arched Bridge or stream side.

There is a variety of places to stay in Gatlinburg: there are approximately 11,000 mountain accommodations in the area that will fit everybody’s budget. There are conventional downtown condos, hotels, and motels, but there are also bed and breakfasts, cabins, campgrounds, chalets, and more. Some of the accommodations feature swimming pools, hot tubs, and whirlpools. The Gatlinburg Inn is a popular place to stay with its rustic charm. Some of the cabin rentals include Aiden’s Escape, Dreams Come True, The Hemingway, the Mountain Memories, Mountain Top View 1612, Valentine’s View, and many more. Some of the chalets are Fun and Games 53, Sweet Surrender, and Paws Welcome Here 4.