Top 6 Reasons to Book a Winter Cabin Getaway in the Tennessee Mountains

Mild weather, uncrowded attractions, and natural beauty make winter the perfect time to head to the Smoky Mountains. Here are six reasons why a winter cabin escape will relax you. 

1. Fewer Crowds, Less Traffic

In summer and fall, tourists flock here. The results? Busy roads and crowded attractions. Popular hikes can feel like you’re navigating downtown Pigeon Forge, not a secluded trail.

With schools back in session, winter visitors are fewer. Getting into attractions is more accessible, and you can hike and hear the frost crunch under your boots. Take scenic drives and pause at overlooks without praying for a parking space. 

2. Great Winter Weather

Do you love cool days, cuddle-up-cold nights, and just enough snow to be pretty without pain? Come to East Tennessee!

The National Park Service notes that about half the days in winter hit temperatures of 50 degrees or more. Nights hover around freezing, giving you an excuse to snuggle under a fluffy blanket. Average snowfall in the snowiest month, January, is only about an inch, though high elevations can end up with snowfall measured in feet. 

3. Winter Hikes

Moderate weather means many trails in Great Smoky Mountains National Park stay open in winter. Don plenty of layers for hikes like these:

• If you’ve never seen a waterfall with icicles clinging to the rocks, head for the accessible, paved Laurel Falls Trail. 
• Porters Creek Trail is an excellent family hike featuring a waterfall and an abandoned homestead. 
• Alum Cave Trail is a challenging hike with dramatic ice formations and a path through forests where winter animals abound. 

4. Snow Sports

Ride the picturesque tramway to Ober Mountain for skiing, snowboarding, or snow tubing. Whether you’re a “black diamond” expert or a novice, Ober has the equipment you need and the snow you crave.

Is snowy solitude more your style? Try cross-country skiing or snowshoeing. Some roads in the national park, closed to cars in winter, transform into cross-country routes—ski to Clingmans Dome, the highest point in the park, for stunning views. 

5. Festive Fun Lasts Past Christmas

In Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge, a late Christmas gift awaits. Winterfest illuminations don’t go dark after the holidays. Millions of twinkling lights dazzle daily until Feb. 19! 

6. Mountain Cabins: Perfect for Cozy Getaways

Stay in a vacation cabin. Sip moonshine on the deck or play games inside. Indulge in movie nights at cabins with their theaters! Browse our Tennessee cabins today and choose your winter escape.