If we had it our way, white water rafting at Smoky Mountain Outdoors would be a year-round activity! Unfortunately, the colder weather forces us to have a white water rafting off-season (usually between November and March). However, if you will be visiting the Smokies during our off-season, you’ll find many excellent Smoky Mountain activities to enjoy. Keep reading to learn more about a few of them!
1. Wildlife Viewing at Cades Cove
Cades Cove Loop Road is one of the best places to see bears and other Smoky Mountain wildlife. The 11-mile loop offers plenty of pull-off areas so you can take your time admiring the scenery, taking photos, exploring the historic churches and homesteads, as well as looking out for wildlife. You might see deer, birds, wild turkey, squirrels, and yes, even bears. Remember: for your safety and the animals, do not attempt to get close to or feed them!
2. Holiday Events in Gatlinburg & Pigeon Forge
A Gatlinburg Tennessee Christmas is the best time of year for some of the most magical Smoky Mountain activities, starting with the Chili Cookoff and Winterfest lights starting in early November, all the way to the New Year’s Eve Balldrop and Fireworks at the Gatlinburg Space Needle! Attractions such as Anakeesta and Dollywood host incredible holiday festivals, complete with seasonal food items, live entertainment, and lots of festive cheer.
The best part? Gatlinburg’s Winter Magic displays stay up through January until the middle of February! So even if you can’t visit the Smokies during the Christmas season, you can still enjoy the spirit of the holidays during the winter months.
3. Snow Tubing at Ober Mountain
Ober might just be the ultimate destination for Smoky Mountain winter activities! Not only is this mountain top adventure park the best place for skiing and snowboarding, but also snow tubing in Gatlinburg | New Window. All ages can have fun in the snow, with slopes for all experience levels and training lessons for beginners! Plus, there’s a Snow Zone for younger children and indoor ice skating, dining, and shopping for when you need a break from the outdoor fun.
Read More: Outdoor Things to Do in the Smokies During the Rafting Off-Season
4. Try a New-to-You Restaurant
Eating out is one of the best parts of a Smoky Mountain vacation, no matter what time of year you visit! Instead of only visiting your favorite restaurants, why not try something new? You might just discover a new favorite! Here are a few places that are tried and true by the locals:
- Best Family Restaurant: Janice’s Diner
- Best Breakfast: The Pancake Pantry
- Best Burgers: Blue Moose Burgers & Wings
- Best Beer: Smoky Mountain Brewery
- Best Fine Dining: The Greenbrier Restaurant
We hope that these Smoky Mountain activities will help fill the rafting-sized hole in your heart until next season. Of course, it’s never too early to begin thinking about your next adventure on the Pigeon River. Want to get a head start on planning your itinerary? Look through our white water rafting trips in the Smoky Mountains and book your spring trip today!
