Best Time of Year to Rent a Cabin in Gatlinburg

Want to visit Gatlinburg and the Smoky Mountains, but don’t want to deal with crowds? Rent a luxurious Gatlinburg cabin in the off-season, when tourism is lighter and you get more choice of cabins, at lower rates! Here’s your guide to the best times of year to enjoy a cabin rental in this “Gateway to the Smokies.” 

Know the peak tourist times to avoid. May through August is summer vacation. Mid-October through mid-November is the height of fall foliage tourism. And the Christmas holidays are increasingly popular weeks to visit Gatlinburg.

So, what does Gatlinburg offer in the off-peak months? 

September: The Sweet Spot

After Labor Day, tourism slows temporarily. Summer family travel is over, but peak fall foliage hasn’t quite emerged. Autumn hues get started in September at the highest elevations, so you’re sure to enjoy some colorful views, while avoiding the leaf-peeping crowds who arrive in October.

Gatlinburg’s Harvest Festival kicks off in September, filling the streets with decorations. At Anakeesta theme park, the Bear-varian Beer Festival is a new (and tasty!) September celebration.

January and February: Winter Wonders

While the holiday season is a popular travel time here, the months after Christmas are the quietest of the year. But “quiet” doesn’t mean dull! 

Snow sports enthusiasts will love the fresh powder at Ober Mountain ski resort. Hikers seeking solitude will find frosty trails open in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. And if your idea of a winter sport is curling up in front of a fireplace while you sip a hot toddy–a Gatlinburg cabin is your Olympic stadium! 

Millions of glittering lights are on display from November all the way into February, at the Winter Magic festival. Enjoy Pancake Week in February, a rollicking, week-long St. Patrick’s Day celebration, and more winter fun.

March and April: Wildflowers and Wildlife

Avoid summer temperatures and summer tourists with a spring vacation in a Gatlinburg cabin rental. Animals become more active. Streams are bustling with trout and bass, to the delight of anglers. Wildflowers burst into colorful blooms. 

Springfest opens in March, festooning the city with floral displays. Late April brings the annual Spring Wildflower Pilgrimage, a week of guided walks and nature-themed events. Fishing tournaments are a popular spring activity for all ages. 

Plan now for an off-season escape. Choose your Gatlinburg cabin rental right here!