Winter is completely different than the other seasons out of the year in the Smoky Mountains. In the winter, the leaves have all fallen from the trees and the weather is cooler. Many people don’t visit the Smoky Mountains during this time of the year because of those things. However, winter in the Smoky Mountains holds it very own magic and adventure, it is something that you will definitely want to experience at some point in your life. Here are reasons why you should spend winter in the Smoky Mountains.
1. Great Winter Views
The Smoky Mountains have some of the most breathtaking views in the country and they don’t stop being amazing because the winter months have arrived. You can check out winter views throughout the national park from overlooks on Newfound Gap Road or by taking a winter drive through Cades Cove where you can view wildlife, check out historical sites or go for a hike. No matter what you do during winter in the Smoky Mountains you will be amazed by what you find. What makes Newfound Gap Road and Cades Cove so special during the winter is that they are the two main roads that are open all 365 days of the year unlike many of the other higher elevation roads that close down during the winter months, and these roads will remain open unless there is severe ice or snow.
2. Great Winter Hikes
The Smoky Mountains are known for having some of the best hiking trails in the country. Just because the cooler weather has arrived doesn’t mean these great hiking opportunities go away, in many ways these hiking trails become an even more amazing experience. In the winter, you can hike to beautiful snow covered mountain views, see breathtaking frozen waterfalls and hidden treasures that you wouldn’t normally get to experience during the warmer months of the year. Like at Alum Cave Bluffs Trail during a winter hike, you will experience giant frozen icicles and amazing snow-capped mountain views. You can also visit Rainbow Falls which during consecutive cold days freezes into a layer of ice, at this trail you can continue hiking past the waterfall to the summit of Mount LeConte where you will see breathtaking mountain views. Both of these locations and more will provide you with an unforgettable winter in the Smoky Mountains experience.
3. Cross-Country Skiing
When most people think of skiing they think about downhill skiing. However, not all places offer downhill skiing opportunities. Though the Smoky Mountains don’t have any downhill skiing options they do offer cross-country skiing. Unlike downhill skiing, cross-country skiing is when you use your own motion to propel you forward and is typically a bit easier than downhill skiing. During the winter in the Smoky Mountains, the mountain peaks are covered in a perfect layer of snow that is great for cross-country skiing. One location in particular that is great for downhill skiing is along Newfound Gap Road on Clingmans Dome Road. During the winter, Clingmans Dome Road is closed down to motorized vehicles so during your skiing experience you will only run into other skiers or hikers. What makes cross-country skiing so great is that you can go at your own pace while enjoying the beautiful Smoky Mountain scenery around you.
Winter in the Smoky Mountains is a wonderful experience that you don’t want to miss out on. So you don’t miss out on the Smoky Mountains this winter book one of our Smoky Mountain cabin rentals today.