Are you planning your first-ever visit to the Smokies? Are you an avid visitor who just has a specific question about what’s allowed or what’s open? Whatever the case may be, we’ve got some helpful information for you! Here are some of the most frequently asked questions about Great Smoky Mountains National Park:
Where are the best fishing spots?
The streams and creeks are teeming with abundant populations of fish, so you really can’t go wrong with what location you choose for fishing in the Smokies! Some popular spots include Abrams Creek, Deep Creek, and Townsend Wye. Fishing is permitted in the park every day from 30 minutes before sunrise to 30 minutes after sunset. Remember, you must have a valid Tennessee or North Carolina fishing license!
Where can I swim?
Many areas are prohibited for swimming due to the strong undertow, especially at Abrams Falls. If you do want to cool off in the water after a long hike, there are certain swimming holes, such as the Midnight Hole on the Big Creek Trail. Deep Creek on the North Carolina side of the park is also popular for swimming and tubing.
Where can I ride bikes?
There are many great places to bike in Great Smoky Mountains National Park! If you don’t have a bike, rent one at the Cades Cove Campground Store, and then you can enjoy one of the best biking trails in the Smokies, Cades Cove Loop Road! This is an 11-mile loop of gorgeous scenery and rich history. The best time to bike in Cades Cove is during Vehicle-Free Wednesdays in the summer! A couple of additional trails you can enjoy bike riding on include the Gatlinburg Trail and the Oconaluftee River Trail.
What is the weather like?
The weather for the Smoky Mountains in the summer can get up into the 90s in the daytime and down to the 60s at night. In the winter, the weather is usually moderate, but while the upper elevations could have lots of snow, the lower elevations could have fairly mild temperatures in the 50s with nighttime lows below freezing. Temperatures at higher elevations of Great Smoky Mountains National Park (think Mt. LeConte or Kuwohi at 6,643 feet) can easily be at least 10 degrees cooler than lower elevations! It’s also pretty common for periods of consistent rain in the spring or sudden pop-up storms in the summer, so be sure to wear moisture-wicking layers and a jacket.
How do I know what’s open and closed?
Some areas of the national park may only be open seasonally, like Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail and Kuwohi Road, while others can close suddenly due to weather or construction. Visit our operating hours page for information about seasonal road closures! Get all the information you need when it comes to weather-related road closures in the park on the Smokies Road Info page (@SmokiesNPS) on X. You should always have a backup plan in place in case your original trail or scenic drive closes!
Now you know the answers to some frequently asked questions. How about we answer one more? Find out how many entrances to Great Smoky Mountains National Park there are!
