Sometimes it just isn’t realistic to avoid the crowds during a trip to the Great Smoky Mountains. This is the case for most of our trips to the Smokies. It is possible to navigate the crowds (for the most part) and still have a great trip while doing all the things! Maximizing time while visiting the mountains during peak travel times is key!
Between work, school and sports schedules, it just isn’t always an option for families to go to the Smoky Mountains during slower travel periods. Aside from time constraints like schedules, times like fall (remember leaf-peepers season?) can be the most desirable travel times for most. Peak seasons, weekends, and holidays are known to be extremely crowded throughout the Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge and entire Smoky Mountain area. Although the area is more enjoyable when less crowded, a successful trip to the Smoky Mountains is possible by planning ahead and packing your patience!
Dining Out
There are tons of popular, delicious restaurants throughout the Smoky Mountain area. Depending on what time you plan to dine (and how big your party is), wait times can easily grow hours long. Night owls will not want to hear this tip but here it is: be there at opening! For example, breakfast at Crockett’s or the Pancake Pantry in Gatlinburg is a hit. Being there at 7:00 AM, which is the current opening time, will save a ton of time. In and out of breakfast within about an hour. Same trick for lunch. Most restaurants open at 11:00 AM. Arrive at opening, enjoy your meal and onto the next activity or hike! Some restaurants, not many, take reservations including two of our favorites, The Peddler and The Chop House.
Attractions
Remember that hack of arriving at opening time, it applies for most attractions as well. During peak weekends, one may wait an hour or more to ride a mountain coaster. Places like Anakeesta, go-carts, mountain coasters, museums are ideal places to go early in the day. During summer, this helps to beat the heat as well. Some attractions, such as Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies or the Sky Park, offer the option to purchase tickets online ahead of your arrival. This is another time-saving tip we use regularly, and it will usually save a few dollars.
It is estimated that Dollywood has up to 3 million guests per operating year. Although there are several variables, Dollywood gets very crowded throughout the summer, spring break, fall break, holiday weekends, or anytime really. If the travel budget allows, the best way to enhance a visit to Dollywood on a busy day is to purchase TimeSavers. Timesavers expedite your time in line for select rides and are a huge value on a crowded day. Arriving early, staying late, and visiting on a rainy day are more ways to best navigate crowds at Dollywood. Check out this website for an estimated crowd calendar: https://queue-times.com/parks/55/calendar.
Gatlinburg or Pigeon Forge traffic alone is a huge indicator of crowd sizes. No one wants to waste time sitting in traffic. Again, this is again where planning ahead is important. For those who plan to explore the Great Smoky Mountain National Park, parking can get tricky. As of recently, permitted parking areas (opposed to non-parking areas) are highly enforced and fill up early in the day. Therefore, if your family plans to hike popular trail heads, it is recommended to arrive early or likely will need to wait for parking. Don’t forget the parking pass!
Avoiding The Crowds
We’ve talked about how to navigate the busy crowds during your trip to the Smoky Mountains. The next question is how to avoid the busiest times in and around the mountains. Weekdays are normally less crowded, especially while school is in session. January and February are considered the off-season for the area. Some lodging and restaurants actually offer discounts during this off-season period. Make sure to do some research before going, some attractions including Dolly’s Stampede shut down briefly during the slow season.
If scheduling a trip during non-peak times is not an option, another idea would be to stay in a less-crowded area such as Townsend. Townsend is considered the ‘quiet side of the Smokies’. Secluded cabins in the Gatlinburg or Pigeon Forge areas feel less crowded as well, as long as the plans don’t include going into town. On the other hand, staying on the Gatlinburg strip can greatly help with time. This is because of being able to walk to attractions and dining. Avoiding vehicle traffic saves a lot of time!
Final Thoughts
With Labor Day weekend, fall and Christmas approaching, the Smoky Mountain area is going to be extremely crowded. Especially the weekends. Some people choose not to visit the area during these times because of this. Click here to read about the different times of the year to visit the mountains. Having a tentative itinerary in mind and a few restaurant reservations can make a dramatic difference in how time is spent during your trip. Don’t worry about the crowds and have the best time!