Smoky Mountains in Early Spring...Is it Worth It?

[rkrivas]

Hi --

I'm considering going to the Smoky Mountains and Dollywood during Easter Week (the 1st week of April).

Has anyone visited during that time and is it still worth the trip? I know peak time is in the fall and late spring.

I originally wanted to visit in early summer, but with my kids' sports schedules, it's hard to predict when we'll have a free week during the summer.

TIA!

 

[MAKmom]

Hi --

I'm considering going to the Smoky Mountains and Dollywood during Easter Week (the 1st week of April).

Has anyone visited during that time and is it still worth the trip? I know peak time is in the fall and late spring.

I originally wanted to visit in early summer, but with my kids' sports schedules, it's hard to predict when we'll have a free week during the summer.

TIA!

Where are the Smoky Mountains?

 

[ohiomom28]

Hi --

I'm considering going to the Smoky Mountains and Dollywood during Easter Week (the 1st week of April).

Has anyone visited during that time and is it still worth the trip? I know peak time is in the fall and late spring.

I originally wanted to visit in early summer, but with my kids' sports schedules, it's hard to predict when we'll have a free week during the summer.

TIA!

I went 2 years ago. The weather is iffy that time of year. The 1st full day there it was 70 and sunny and Gatlinburg was jam packed. The rest of the trip was cold and even had some snow accumulation the last day. The mountains are pretty but still are not as full as I would have liked them with the missing leaves. We are thinking about going back at the end of March again though.

 

[lovemygoofy]

Hi --

I'm considering going to the Smoky Mountains and Dollywood during Easter Week (the 1st week of April).

Has anyone visited during that time and is it still worth the trip? I know peak time is in the fall and late spring.

I originally wanted to visit in early summer, but with my kids' sports schedules, it's hard to predict when we'll have a free week during the summer.

TIA!

Weather wise it could be gorgeous and warm or horrible storms or even sometimes snow.

You could be taking the change that it will be packed that week because of it being Easter week off but it's still do able.

One thing I love at that time is the spring parade(though I don't know the official name) but it essentially kicks off the opening of Dollywood for the season with a parade, led by Dolly, through Pigeon Forge.

If you pack jeans and a couple pairs of shorts with a sweatshirt or light jacket you should be fine.

 

[rkrivas]

Where are the Smoky Mountains?

They're in North Carolina and Tennessee.

 

[MAKmom]

They're in North Carolina and Tennessee.

Thanks I googled it after I posted. I should not post until I have coffee

 

[Mom-to-2-Princesses]

I think it depends on what you want to do as a family. If you want to be laying outside in a swimsuit every day, then no. If you want to enjoy the great outdoors, then yes.

My parents have a condo in Gatlinburg, and we have been there every Spring Break for the last 5 years, except 2008 (and that was a yucky year). We have lucked out and have always had some days in the low - mid 70s (pool, playing in the rivers, picnics) and the rest 60s (Dollywood, hikes, mini golf, shopping, etc) I think the area has many options for rainy days as well with the Ripley museums, Cherokee, Wonderworks, etc)

Another Pro -- the waterfalls are gorgeous in the Spring! With the snow runoff, they are at their peak. While they are nice in the summer, there is such a raw power in the Spring that is memorizing. And while the trees are bare there is a better long view from many of the hikes. We usually see some of the spring flowers starting.

Good luck on your decision.

 

[Blue.Fairy2]

Early Spring would be a beautiful time of year to go, wildflowers are at their peak in April.

http://www.blueridgeparkway.org/bloom.htm

 

[rkrivas]

Thanks for everyone's feedback so far!

We found a couple of great cabins in the Pigeon Forge area that have so many amenities, that I'm sure the kids will have a blast even on rainy days!

 

[SmokiesHiker]

Yes the weather is very iffy then.
I expect to hike in shorts and have to deal with snow in the elevations that week. If you are lucky, the fake snow in Ober Gatlinburg is still good to ski and sled but don’t expect to be in Dollywood.
The flowers would have started blooming for a few weeks but far from peak which starts around the 3rd week in April but most trees will already have small light green leaves. To me it is beautiful!
The hiking trails will be very quiet, rates on cabins and rooms are at their cheapest and restaurants empty (some will still be closed).
Warning: One of the most popular attractions in the park is the Cades Cove which will be closed starting March until at least the end of May. It will be getting a much need repaving – it’s been 40 years!
There are some indoor water parks now but don’t expect to be swimming outdoors or lounging in the sun. Expect the best visibility of the year on a sunny day, great hiking and biking, VERY cold streams (no tubing but great fishing) and yes after a melt the water falls are killer!

 

[MIGrandma]

DH and I took our first trip to Pigeon Forge/Gatlinburg in late March (I think our vacation finished up a few days into April) of 2007. We were there for 10 days, rented a log cabin for 7 and stayed in a hotel the last 3 nights. It was, in a word...awesome. We had absolutely gorgeous weather, the forest floor was covered in wildflowers, leaves were coming out on the trees and flowering trees were blooming. It was beautiful. But they did say it was "unseasonably warm" at that time of the year, so you probably do take your chances.

We are considering going back at the same time this coming spring. We loved the area so much, and there is so much to see and do. We loved spending time in our cabin too, we had a pool table, air hockey and a hot tub on the deck. We may even try to rent that same cabin.

Here is a picture I took in downtown Gatlinburg, by a cluster of shops.

We hiked to Laurel Falls.

A scenic view of the mountains while driving.

 

[paintnolish]

Usually, the weather is pretty nice. Once we had snow up in the mountains for about 10 minutes...the next day was in the 60s! Crowds are another story...the main drag is bumper to bumper. If you can take some back roads, you can avoid some of it, but it will still be ungodly crowded, taking forever to get anywhere not in walking distance.