United States, North America

Great Smoky Mountains in August

Humid and stormy, with crowds easing late in the month as schools start.

TradeoffsHot and humid, highs near 86F (30C)

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

The straight answer

August is a month of real tradeoffs in Great Smoky Mountains. Humid and stormy, with crowds easing late in the month as schools start.

Weather: Hot and humid, highs near 86F (30C)
Crowds: 4 of 5
Prices: 4 of 5

What August is like in Great Smoky Mountains

August stays hot and humid, with highs near 86F (30C) and frequent afternoon storms. The forest is at its thickest and greenest, but haze often softens the long views. Crowds are heavy early in the month and ease late in August as schools start, and prices begin to slip a little.

August suits families who need summer travel and adults who can come in the last two weeks, when the park gets calmer. Plan morning hikes and relaxed afternoons. If you want crisp air and color, wait for October or early November. For a mix of warm weather and thinner crowds, September is a smart swap.

Make the most of August

What is especially good about Great Smoky Mountains this month.

Late-month calm

Once schools restart in the South, weekday trails and roads get much quieter in the second half of August.

Creek days

Shallow, cool creeks near picnic areas are a relief on hot afternoons. Watch kids closely, since rocks are slippery and water rises fast after storms.

Car-free Wednesdays

Cades Cove is still closed to vehicles on Wednesdays, making it a good morning bike ride before the heat.

What to pack for August

Breathable, quick-dry clothes
A rain jacket for thunderstorms
Water shoes with good grip for creek play
Sunscreen and insect repellent

Our timing tip

Book the last two weeks of August if you can, and plan big hikes to finish before early afternoon storms.

Book Great Smoky Mountains for August.

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Hotels. Expedia
Hotels in Great Smoky Mountains
Opens a hotel search for Great Smoky Mountains in August, dates filled in. Book early for the best months: the good rooms go first.
Hotels for August
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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 August. Popular slots sell out in the best months.
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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.