Springtime In The Smokies
By Leif Palmer
Posted on March 24, 2021
Winter has its advantages, but there's always something about the arrival of spring that brings smiles to faces and puts a spring in everyone's step (pun intended). You can finally pack away those heavy winter coats and go outside in short sleeves. The trees are budding, the flowers are blooming, and all different types of critters are introducing their young ones to the world. You can smell it in the air too, from the wild onions to the cherry blossoms to the (unfortunately) Bradford pear trees.
Spring is a great time to visit the Smokies. Great Smoky Mountains National Park alone offers numerous ways to explore the great outdoors and experience springtime at its finest. Hike a mountain trail, ride your bicycle around the Cades Cove loop, go camping at Elkmont or go for a picnic at the Chimney Tops picnic area. If nothing else, head out in the car, roll the windows down and enjoy a beautiful spring drive up to Clingman's Dome or tour the Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail.
There's a lot to do in Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge and Sevierville as well. In Gatlinburg, you might check out the Great Smoky Easter Arts & Crafts Show, presented by members of the Great Smoky Arts & Crafts Community in Gatlinburg. Taking place at Gatlinburg Convention Center April 1 through 3, this annual event showcases the work of dozens of community artisans as they display a wide variety of hand-made arts and crafts, offer works for sale and demonstrate their skills.
Spring is also a time to get outside and take advantage of a wide variety of outdoor-themed attractions in the Smokies. Take a zipline canopy tour, go horseback riding, ride an ATV or UTV on an off-road course, go hot-air ballooning or just enjoy a leisurely stroll down the Parkway in downtown Gatlinburg, surrounded by nature's beauty. If you're looking for public parking, Gatlinburg has plenty of it. Check out one of our many convenient parking lots downtown to find handy spots at reasonable rates.
And don't forget that Dollywood is open for the season as well. Most of the theme park's rides, attractions, shows, eateries and shops are open, ready and waiting. You can even plan on visiting Dollywood if you're parked for the day in Gatlinburg. Just hop one of the city's trolleys designated for Dollywood, and it will take you to the theme park and back to your vehicle again at the end of the day.
About Leif Palmer
Leif Palmer loves residing in Gatlinburg. He is an avid outdoorsman: rowing for exercise on the lake, trail hiking, and free climbing rocks in the mountains. He indulges his arty side by periodically beating up pieces of marble by sculpting. He is always frustrated by his inability to sink long putts, and hates his curly hair (but his wife loves it). Leif has been known to muster enough courage to change a diaper, and hopes his son will become a chip off the old block.