The summer months are some of the best times of the year to visit the Smoky Mountains! There are long days of sunshine that allow for plenty of time for hiking and sightseeing, and all of the local attractions are in full swing! There is so much to see and do in the Smokies that it can seem a bit overwhelming, so check out our top 5 things to do in the Smoky Mountains during the summer:
1. Hike or Bike the Cades Cove Loop
Cades Cove is one of the most popular destinations in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, as it features magnificent beauty, a variety of fascinating historical structures, and some of the best wildlife viewing opportunities in the park! The Cades Cove Loop Trail is an 11-mile, one-way loop that offers motorists the chance to visit this area at a leisurely place. Summer visitors are offered a rare treat because the trail is closed to all vehicular traffic on every Wednesday from early May to the end of August, making it the perfect time to hike or bike around the loop!
2. Cool Off at Dollywood’s Splash Country
Another one of the top things to do in the Smoky Mountains during the summer is visit Dollywood’s Splash Country! This massive waterpark offers all kinds of fun ways to cool off on a warm summer afternoon, ranging from a wave pool and lazy river to some wild slides that are sure to take your breath away! Bring the whole family along to experience attractions such as the Big Bear Plunge, Mountain Twist, Raging River Rapids, RiverRush, and the Slick Rock Racer!
3. Experience Summer Tubing at Ober Gatlinburg
One of the newest things to do in the Smoky Mountains during the summer is tubing at Ober Gatlinburg! While tubing down the slopes is always a popular winter activity at this mountaintop amusement park, you can now tube during the summer with Neveplast tracks! This slippery material allows riders to experience the sensation of being on layers of snow and offers all the fun of snow tubing without the chilly weather!
4. Go White Water Rafting with Smoky Mountain Outdoors
The summer months are a delightful time to get out on the Pigeon River for some white water rafting! The closest rafting outfitter to Pigeon Forge is Smoky Mountain Outdoors, which offers several white water rafting excursions. The most popular trip is the Upper River Rafting tour that features a 6.5-mile adventure through class 3 and 4 rapids! During this trip, a certified guide will navigate your raft during the entire journey and share their love of splashing through all the big waves!
5. Relax on Your Cabin’s Deck
When it comes to unwinding during the summer season, there is nothing quite like relaxing on the deck of your private cabin in the Smokies! As you sit outside, listen to the peaceful sounds of nature and enjoy the spectacular mountain scenery that surrounds your cabin! During the evening hours, step into your bubbling hot tub and admire the stars that shine brightly in the night sky!
Check out all of our cabins in Pigeon Forge TN today to stay near all of these fun things to do in the Smoky Mountains! We look forward to seeing you this summer!
