When it comes to wet weather in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, there is no reason to let a rainy day spoil your fun! This can actually be the perfect time to explore one of the park’s excellent visitor centers, hike along the most popular trails or watch a majestic waterfall splash into a pool below! As long as you’re properly geared up for the weather conditions, it’s always a fantastic time to visit the Smokies! Here are 3 fun things to do in the Smoky Mountains on a rainy day:
1. Hike the Most Popular Trails
One of the benefits of a rainy day in the Smoky Mountains is that there will be fewer visitors on the most popular hiking trails in the Smokies! This is an excellent opportunity to experience destinations like the Alum Cave Trail, Trillium Gap Trail, and the Chimney Tops Trail without the crowds! You’ll just want to make sure you have the right gear for hiking in the rain, so be sure to pack a water-resistant jacket, waterproof shoes or boots, and a rain cover for your backpack! As far as apparel, wear clothing made of wool, nylon, and polyester because cotton holds water. Bring some dry clothes too as you’ll probably want to change as soon as you get back to your car!
2. Explore the Visitor Centers
Another one of the fun things to do in the Smoky Mountains on a rainy day is to stop at one of the excellent visitor centers in Great Smoky Mountains National Park! These indoor facilities offer the chance to chat with park rangers and learn more about the park so that you can plan the best day possible! The centers also feature a shop where you can purchase books about the park, as well as souvenirs such as hats, t-shirts, and mugs! Several of the facilities have exhibits about the park too, such as the natural history exhibit at the Sugarlands Visitor Center that features native plant and wildlife species!
3. Experience the Sight of a Breathtaking Waterfall
If you have your heart set on seeing some of the breathtaking waterfalls in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, a rainy day is a good time to visit due to the increased water flow! There are more than 2,000 streams in the Smokies, which are dotted with everything from gentle cascades to spectacular falls! You definitely don’t want to miss Ramsey Cascades, the largest waterfall in the park at over 100 feet high! For those who don’t feel like making the 8-mile round trip hike to Ramsey Cascades in the rain, there are plenty of roadside waterfalls in the Smoky Mountains that you can pull over to see!
Now that you know some of the fun things to do in the Smoky Mountains on a rainy day, learn about what to expect from the weather in the Smoky Mountains year round! Also, remember that there is never a bad day to explore the wonders of the Smokies!
