You may be surprised to know that Great Smoky Mountains National Park is open 24 hours, 365 days per year! There are a few roads that may close seasonally, particularly those at higher elevations, while others such as the Cades Cove Loop Road are open daily from sunrise to sunset. You may also find a few campgrounds, historic sites, and visitor centers closed during the winter months, but it is otherwise business as usual in the park all year long! Here are the top 4 reasons why Great Smoky Mountains National Park never closes:
1. Unlimited Flexibility for Visitors
The year-round operating hours for Great Smoky Mountains National Park give visitors unlimited flexibility to explore the park! Come during the winter to experience the Smokies with snow-covered peaks and other unique scenery while taking advantage of lower crowds on the park’s most popular trails. The spring season welcomes guests with gorgeous blooming wildflowers in every direction, as well as pleasant weather that provides just the right motivation for an extended hike! Meanwhile, summer offers long days of sunshine for outdoor activities while autumn offers delightfully crisp conditions, spectacular fall foliage, and more!
2. Access to Campground Facilities
Another one of the reasons why Great Smoky Mountains National Park never closes is for access to the campground facilities. While some of the park’s campgrounds do shut down in the winter, there are a couple still open for those hearty enough for the cooler conditions! The Smokemont Campground, which is the closest family campground to the Oconaluftee Visitor Center in the southern part of the park, is open year-round. The Cades Cove Campground is also open all year for your enjoyment! Note that each campground has restrooms with cold running water and flush toilets, and each individual campsite has a fire grate and picnic table.
3. Mild Winter Climate
Although snow is possible at higher elevations within Great Smoky Mountains National Park, the lower areas of the park typically experience milder winter temperatures. In fact, temperatures can vary from 10 to 20 degrees Fahrenheit from the top of the mountain to the bottom! About half the days in the winter have high temperatures of 50 degrees or more, and highs can occasionally even reach the 70s! As long as you adequately prepare for your hike by dressing in layers, this is the perfect time to explore one of the park’s 150 official trails!
4. More Time to Enjoy the Park’s Natural Beauty
Great Smoky Mountains National Park is open 24 hours a day to give you more time to enjoy the park’s natural beauty. If you’re an early riser, head into the park to see the sunrise and hit some of the most popular hiking trails at first light! For those into stargazing, stay in the park until after sunset to see a night sky light up like no other! The morning and evening hours are also excellent times for wildlife sightings, so keep your eyes open for white-tailed deer, bears, and other critters!
Since Great Smoky Mountains National Park never closes, you have endless opportunities to experience the park’s wonderful hiking trails, scenic drives, and other great activities! If this is your first visit to the Smokies, be sure to check out these top 3 things to know before exploring the Great Smoky Mountains National Park!
