etaner

We are planning to go to the Sevierville/Pigeon Forge area the last week of June. Is this a super busy time? I read that July is much worse.....is it, or is it pretty similar? Is August any better? We plan to do Cades Cove, Dollywood, Roaring Fork and just tinker around in the Seveirville area.

Thanks!

Gretchen

Have fun with the hordes of people. You have chosen well. Summer is "high season".

indyhiker

Yes, it will be packed. The park itself gets over three million visitors from June through August. If you want something slightly quieter, try staying in Townsend or Cosby and limit your time in Pigeon Forge, downtown Gatlinburg and Sevierville. Frankly, even without the crowds, I think Sevierville is really unappealing, but when we travel to the area, we stay in a nicely outfitted cabin--last time in Cosby in late September--and are there almost exclusively to hike. Can't say that you could pay me enough to go the areas you've mentioned during the summer.

gmoney

We were there last year at that time and it was not bad at all. We did Dollywood and while there was a long line to buy tickets once we got in the lines weren't bad at all. We parked at trolley stop in PF to avoid parking at DW and that worked out really well. We went to our favorite spot in the national park (Chimneys picnic area) and while it was crowded, we had no trouble finding a parking spot. We stay in cabin outside Sevierville that is very quiet with no traffic. Never had to wait long for restaurants either. I would say that while it was busy, we never felt overwhelmed by crowds. Went to the Island twice and easily found parking and enjoyed just hanging out listening to music. Didn't do Cades Cove or Roaring Fork (been there done that). We did wonderful ATV tour that took us to the top of a mountain with amazing views. We did go to Gatlinburg one day to go to the Aquarium (highly recommended) and no traffic back ups and easily parked in aquarium garage. Don't let all the negativity scare you away, you will have a wonderful time.

indyhiker

I'm glad you weren't overwhelmed by crowds. I have to say, though, that even in September, I find Gatlinburg--at least in the last afternoon/evening to be pretty crowded. Maybe you got lucky or I've been unlucky.

To the OP, if you want to see parts of the park, there are areas that you may enjoy that are off the beaten path a bit. The Greenbriar section is often a lot less crowded (this is a really pretty area of the park between Gatlinburg and Cosby). You might also try Carver's Apple Orchard in Cosby is you head out that way. I think Knoxville can make a fun diversion, too. The downtown area is nice, as is the zoo.

etaner

My plans are not firm. I am merely trying to determine how crowded it was during the summer. I have been to that area many times but only in October or December/January. Never experienced summer there, so I wanted to get an idea which month in the summer is worse. Sometimes when the kids are in school, you have to choose a less appealing time to travel once the kids are out. If it sounds super bad, we will just stick with other things to do in NC and GA.

Thanks!

etaner

Let me ask this.....Compared to October and December, is it much more crowded in the Summer (in Cades Cove and Dollywood)? I would think October is busiest because of the beautiful Fall colors people are out to see.

indyhiker

From the statistics I've read, October has the highest number of visitors--at least to the Park (which I think is a good indication of crowds more generally). If you survived that, then you should be okay. Bear in mind that the added heat and humidity though can make things seem less tolerable than they might on a cool autumn day!

gmoney

I have been there all four seasons and October was by far the worst as far as traffic/crowds.

jent103

October (especially weekends) is busy in the park; I would imagine Dollywood would be less so, but it's been years since I've actually been to Dollywood so I'm not terribly qualified to comment on that.

The last time I was in Cades Cove in the summer (somewhere near 4th of July), I remember being at a standstill in traffic on the loop road. Good for watching deer, but definitely more crowded than other times I've been. I haven't been on the loop in October so I can't compare - it might be just as bad then. My point is just that yes, summer will be very crowded.

The thing is, you're getting a totally different park in October or especially December vs. the summer. December would certainly be less crowded, but also not as pretty and much less daylight, and Dollywood would have limited hours (though they do some special Christmas things). So it's really your priorities and preferences. If you're envisioning a summer trip with the water park and Dollywood and green mountain scenery, then just be prepared for the crowds and traffic and go for it. I'd avoid holiday weekends if you can; that would help.

etaner

I just wanted to compare the crowd levels to what I already knew. Since I know how it is in October and December, I wondered if folks would say late June is not as crowded as then or it's worse. I would then determine if we should even bother going to TN in the summer or just stick with other areas.

starrs

You are asking different questions, not just one.

Sevierville is not as crowded as Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge. If you want to go to Dollywood, staying in Sevierville is the best option.

If you want to go to Dollywood, going before kids are out for the summer or after they go back to school means fewer crowds.

In GSMNP, the crowds are worse in October/ early November. The park is busier on weekends than weekdays. It's busier when kids are out of school than during the school year.

I drove from Sevierville, through the park to N GA a few weeks ago. No crowds. Saw a mama beer with two cubs and lots of elk.

I used to take the kids to Dollywood in summer instead of the FL parks because it's much smaller and cooler because of the location in the mountains. A busy Dollywood is nothing like a busy Disney World.

If you can pick any time to plan the trip, I'd choose May or September after Labor Day. The climate is moderate so almost any other month will work, although there's a chance of snow in the winter - usually Jan. through March.

gmoney

"I just wanted to compare the crowd levels to what I already knew. Since I know how it is in October and December, I wondered if folks would say late June is not as crowded as then or it's worse. "

etaner, from my personal experience the crowds in late June will not be as bad as October.