Spring In the Smokies

 Spring in the Smoky Mountains means you will see an abundance of flowers come to life. The Smokies have more than 1500 species of flowering plant life. This happens to be more than any other National Park in the United States. While you can drive and see plenty of spring life, there are plenty of amazing hikes to immerse yourself in nature. If you are looking for an easy hike with a little bit of everything, Porters Creek Trail is 4 miles and has everything to see including gorgeous foliage, historical sites, and even a waterfall called Fern Branch Falls. If views are more what you’re after and have no problem with a lengthy hike, then check out Gregory Ridge Trail. The hike is rather difficult and is 12 miles round trip. Along the way to the top, you will see the flaming azaleas that are starting to bloom and bring color to the trail. Once at the summit, you will experience outstanding views of the Cades Cove area, Rich Mountain, and Nantahala National Forest.
 
There are also plenty of events and attractions that celebrate the springtime all over the Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge area. If you’re a fan of classic cars, there are two events that occur. The Corvette Expo will take place in March and the Pigeon Forge Rod Runs occur in April and are one of the most popular car events held in the area. So come take a drive through the town and check out all the classic cars being shown. Dollywood is always a fun trip for the family so if you’re planning a visit this time of the year until June, you will get a colorful experience with special decorations, drinks, and food available at the Food and Flower Festival. If your vacation to the area is happening at the same time as Easter then make sure to stop by the Gatlinburg convention center for an art experience like no other. The Easter Arts and Craft show is completely free and gives the opportunity to explore local artists sharing what they love and the beauty they find in the Great Smoky Mountains.
 
And what trip to Gatlinburg, TN would be complete without a trip down the Pigeon River with Big Creek Expeditions? Spring rafting can be the absolute best time of year for whitewater rafting. Since we are a dam-controlled river, we typically only take rafting trips when they release water from the dam. At this time of the year, we don’t have a guaranteed water release schedule like we do from Memorial Day to Labor Day, but we do get more rainfall. This keeps the water levels perfect for thrilling rafting expeditions! The amount of people rafting The Pigeon River in spring is less than the crowds you will experience at any point during the summer. This allows for a more intimate experience. With less people and less boats crowding the river, you have the opportunity to truly soak in all the amazing views that surround you on your expedition. Also, with less people comes more opportunities to speak with your guide about things you’re interested in and learn more about our area. Our guides love to share the history of the Pigeon River as well as other landmarks/must do things in the Smokies. Temperatures can vary at this time of the year, but we’ve got you covered! In any instance, if it’s a tad chilly or raining outside we have splash jackets available for free to every guest to help keep you as warm as possible on your trip. Spring rafting has a tentative start date of April 29th, 2025 but we are hopeful to open our doors sooner.


We hope that your spring trip to Gatlinburg and The Smoky Mountains is nothing short of amazing and that you were able to make a stop in for a Whitewater Adventure with Big Creek Expeditions!