Outdoor Activities

Every season in the Smoky Mountains has its own special charm, from the colors of fall to the wonderland of winter, to brilliant sunshine in spring and summer. Many attractions are year-round in Pigeon Forge, while some depend on certain seasons. Either way, it’s important to know what the weather will be like when you plan to be here. The National Park Service publishes average temperatures along with rain and snowfall (listed below) to help you determine the best time to come to play golf, go hiking or skiing, or just to relax during your favorite season.

Taking a scenic drive is one of the easiest and most rewarding things you can do in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. With almost 400 miles of roadway in the park and the surrounding scenic area, you can drive to specific locations to enjoy, as well as tour through steadily changing vistas of great beauty.

Clingmans Dome is a spectacular attraction in the Smoky Mountains. This 6,643 foot mountain towers over the landscape and commands views that you simply can’t experience anywhere else in the park. Depending on the weather, you may be able to see as many as seven states. If you’re short on time, there’s plenty to see during the drive up and from the parking lot.

There are only two waterfalls in all of Great Smoky Mountains National Park that you can drive to, and one of them is called Place of a Thousand Drips. This waterfall is so named because it’s a lacework of many small waterfalls rather than one big one. It’s an easily missed sight, visible towards the end of the scenic-drive loop of Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail.