3 Things to Know About the Smoky Mountain Rafting Off-Season
Although we’ve just wrapped another fun season of white water rafting on the Pigeon River, there are still plenty of great things to do in the Smokies throughout the off-season! While you’re eagerly awaiting our spring rafting trips next March, take this time to enjoy some of the other fantastic activities throughout the area! Here are 3 things to know about the Smoky Mountain rafting off-season:
1. You Can Still Have Fun in the Smokies
You can have fun all year long in the Smokies, even during the colder winter months! The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is open 365 days per year for your enjoyment, so take advantage of this time to hike some of the more popular trails when they are much less crowded! Popular winter hikes in the Smoky Mountains include Laurel Falls Trail, Alum Cave Trail, and Rainbow Falls Trail, but there are trails for every skill level, from beginners to expert hikers. If you’re lucky, you’ll get to catch the beautiful sights of a frozen waterfall or snow-covered mountaintops!
You’ll also love all of the Winterfest activities throughout Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge when these beloved cities come alive with millions of sparkling holiday lights! You don’t even need to be in the Smokies during the holidays, as these stunning light displays shine all the way into February! Go for a drive along the Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg Parkways to take in all the light displays and holiday decor, see Gatlinburg’s Festival of Trees, or watch the Gatlinburg Christmas Parade. Are you hoping to hit the slopes? Head to Ober Mountain for skiing, snowboarding, and snow tubing! The fun doesn’t have to stop just because it’s the off-season.
2. You Can Plan Your Next Trip
Another thing to know about the Smoky Mountain rafting off-season is that this is the perfect time to plan your next trip to the Smokies! Take advantage of this downtime to plan a fun trip in the spring or summer with your family and friends! Our rafting season starts back up in March, so you can be one of the first guests to get back out on the Pigeon River with our professional guides! If you prefer the warmth of the summer months, you can book your rafting trip months in advance to fit into your vacation schedule!
It’s also the perfect time of the year to purchase one of our rafting gift cards! These make the best holiday gift for the rafting lovers in your family or friend group. Give the gift of a rafting trip with Smoky Mountain Outdoors this holiday season, and provide your loved ones with the opportunity to create incredible memories on the Pigeon River! You can purchase your rafting gift cards online anytime!
3. Take This Time to Visit Some Indoor Attractions
If you love the Smoky Mountains but aren’t a fan of the colder weather, the rafting off-season is a great time to visit some of the area’s indoor attractions! Most of the attractions throughout Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg are open year-round, so play a round of indoor miniature golf, explore a unique museum, or enjoy some of the shopping opportunities! A few fun wintertime destinations include the Titanic Museum, Alcatraz East Crime Museum, Crave Golf Club, Hollywood Star Cars Museum, and WonderWorks!
Now that you know about the Smoky Mountain rafting off-season, you have some ideas to keep you busy throughout the winter months! Before you know it, we’ll be rafting again, so it’s never too early to make your white water rafting plans for the spring!
