While every season has something special to offer, there is nothing quite like spring in Tennessee’s Smoky Mountains! As the weather warms up, the Smokies come alive with greenery, flowers, and lots of wonderful events. To help you make the most of your getaway, Eagles Ridge Resort has put together a guide to the top five things to do during your Smoky Mountain spring vacation.
1. Enjoy the Great Outdoors
The spring weather in the Smoky Mountains is perfect for getting outdoors! With temperatures in the 60s and 70s, the climate is not too cold and not too hot. The Smokies are home to a large variety of excellent outdoor activities to enjoy, both inside the national park and in the surrounding cities. Here are a few of our favorite ways to get some fresh air during the spring:
- Hiking
- Picnicking
- Horseback riding
- Ziplining
- Mountain biking
- Whitewater rafting
- Tubing
2. See the Beautiful Wildflowers
Wildflower viewing is another can’t-miss part of any Smoky Mountain spring vacation. The Smokies have over 1,500 types of flowering plants in the area. With so many gorgeous blooms, it’s no wonder that the Great Smoky Mountains National Park has earned the nickname “Wildflower National Park”! Here is a quick look at some of the flowers you can expect to see during the spring months:
- March: Spring-beauty, Trout-lily, Sharp-lobed Hepatica, Jack-in-the-pulpit
- April: Violets, Wild Ginger, Yellow Mandarin, White Trillium, Dutchman’s Britches
- May: Blue Phlox, Foamflower, Lady’s Slippers, Show Orchid, May-apple
- June: Sundrops, Goat’s Beard, Speckled Wood Lily, Woodland Bluets
3. Go to a Car Show
Each spring, Pigeon Forge hosts a number of popular car shows that bring hundreds of visitors to the Smoky Mountains. If you own a classic vehicle, you’ll have the chance to compete for thousands of dollars in prizes and meet other car enthusiasts. Even if you don’t have a hot rod of your own, it’s still a lot of fun to attend the shows and admire all of the beautiful cars. In many cases, it’s not even necessary to go to a show to see the classic cars, as they usually make appearances on the Parkway and around town. Here are the major spring car shows in the Smokies:
- Corvette Expo (March)
- Pigeon Forge Rod Run (April)
- Pontiacs in Pigeon Forge (June)
4. Attend the Festivals at Dollywood
Dollywood hosts two awesome festivals during the spring months! From mid-March through early April, the theme park celebrates the Festival of Nations. This special event brings entertainers from all around the world to Dollywood to perform free shows for everyone to enjoy. For more information, check out our complete guide to Dollywood’s Festival of Nations.
In late May and early June, vacationers can attend Dollywood’s Barbeque & Bluegrass Festival . This fun celebration features award winning BBQ and performances from some of the very best bluegrass bands in the United States.
5. Relax at Your Cabin
When you’re not out and about in town, you’ll love spending some time relaxing at your cabin. There is nothing better than taking in spectacular spring views of the Smoky Mountains as you kick back in the rocking chairs on your deck or enjoy a soothing soak in the hot tub. With everything from 1 bedroom cabins to 8 bedroom lodges, you are sure to find the perfect accommodations for your getaway. To start planning your Smoky Mountain spring vacation, browse our selection of Pigeon Forge cabin rentals!