United States, North America

Great Smoky Mountains in April

Peak spring wildflower season at low and mid elevations. Kuwohi Road reopens, and waterfalls run strong.

BestMild, highs near 71F (22C), showers

A misty meadow in the Great Smoky Mountains — Great Smoky MountainsPhoto: Rhododendrites, CC BY-SA 4.0

The straight answer

April is one of the best months of the year to visit Great Smoky Mountains. Peak spring wildflower season at low and mid elevations. Kuwohi Road reopens, and waterfalls run strong.

Weather: Mild, highs near 71F (22C), showers
Crowds: 3 of 5
Prices: 3 of 5

What April is like in Great Smoky Mountains

April is one of the best months in the Smokies. Highs are near 71F (22C), with regular showers, and the low and mid elevations fill with wildflowers. Waterfalls run strong, the forest turns a fresh green, and Kuwohi Road reopens. Crowds are moderate, busier around spring break and weekends, and prices sit in the middle.

April suits almost everyone, especially families, photographers and homeschoolers who want wildflowers, waterfalls and mild hiking weather. If you dislike rain, know that showers are common, so plan flexible days. Travelers who want warmer weather and higher-elevation blooms can look at May.

Make the most of April

What is especially good about Great Smoky Mountains this month.

Peak spring wildflowers

Trillium, lady's slippers and dozens of other species bloom along low and mid-elevation trails. The Spring Wildflower Pilgrimage in late April is a long-running local tradition.

Kuwohi Road reopens

The road to the park's highest point typically reopens in April, so you can walk the steep paved path to the observation tower.

Waterfalls at full flow

Spring rain keeps Laurel Falls and the park's many other falls running hard. It is a great month for waterfall hikes.

What to pack for April

A packable rain shell for spring showers
Waterproof hiking boots
A fleece for cool mornings and the chilly top of Kuwohi
A phone or camera with a close-up mode for wildflowers

Our timing tip

Go midweek in the second half of April for the best wildflowers, and buy your parking tag online before you arrive.

Book Great Smoky Mountains for April.

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Hotels. Expedia
Hotels in Great Smoky Mountains
Opens a hotel search for Great Smoky Mountains in April, dates filled in. Book early for the best months: the good rooms go first.
Hotels for April
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Vacation rentals in Great Smoky Mountains
Whole homes, condos and villas. Usually the better deal for families and groups, with a kitchen and room to spread out.
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Tours and tickets in Great Smoky Mountains
Timed-entry tickets, day trips and guided tours in Great Smoky Mountains for April. Popular slots sell out in the best months.
Tours and tickets

What's on in April

Spring wildflowers

Late March through May, moving up in elevation

Trillium, lady's slippers, and dozens of other species bloom; the Spring Wildflower Pilgrimage in late April is a long-running local tradition.

Things to do in Great Smoky Mountains

Full guide

Cades Cove

An 11-mile one-way loop through a valley of historic buildings and wildlife. Closed to vehicles on Wednesdays, typically May through September, which makes it a cyclist's day.

Official site ↗Tickets and tours →

Kuwohi (formerly Clingmans Dome)

The highest point in the park at 6,643 feet, with an observation tower. The road closes for winter, typically December through March.

Tickets and tours →

Newfound Gap Road

The main road over the mountains between Gatlinburg and Cherokee. Open year-round but closed temporarily by snow and ice.

Tickets and tours →

Alum Cave Trail

A classic hike to Alum Cave Bluffs and on to Mount LeConte. Parking fills early in fall.

Tickets and tours →

Laurel Falls and Grotto Falls

Popular waterfall hikes. Grotto Falls lets you walk behind the water on the Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail, which is seasonal.

Tickets and tours →

Cataloochee Valley

Elk herds, historic buildings, and a remote feel on the North Carolina side. The road in is narrow and partly gravel.

Tickets and tours →

Beat the crowds

Enter through Townsend or the North Carolina side at Cherokee instead of Gatlinburg, the most congested entrance.
Visit Cades Cove at opening or in the last hours before sunset; midday loop traffic can take hours.
In fall, go midweek and target early November for low-elevation color with far lighter crowds.
Hike trails away from the main corridors, such as the Cataloochee area or Big Creek, for solitude even in October.

Know before you go

The park is open all year, but several roads are seasonal: Kuwohi Road typically closes from December through March, and the Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail and some other roads close for winter.
Newfound Gap Road stays open year-round but closes temporarily during snow and ice, sometimes for days.
There is no entrance fee, but a parking tag is required to park anywhere in the park for more than 15 minutes. Daily, weekly, and annual tags are sold online and at visitor centers.
Cades Cove Loop Road is closed to vehicles on Wednesdays, typically May through September.

Great Smoky Mountains in April, quick answers

Is April a good time to visit Great Smoky Mountains?

April is one of the best months of the year to visit Great Smoky Mountains. Peak spring wildflower season at low and mid elevations. Kuwohi Road reopens, and waterfalls run strong.

What is the weather like in Great Smoky Mountains in April?

Mild, highs near 71F (22C), showers.

Is Great Smoky Mountains crowded in April?

Crowds in Great Smoky Mountains are moderate in April; timed bookings still help at the biggest sights.

What is happening in Great Smoky Mountains in April?

Spring wildflowers (late march through may, moving up in elevation).