In this Smoky Mountains Vacation Guide, learn about the fantastic festivals and complete your Spring break itinerary with these unique things to do in the Smoky Mountains in May.
If you plan to visit the Smokies during this time of the year you’re in for a treat!
As Spring turns to Summer in the you don’t want to miss these opportunities to enjoy the beauty of the Great Smoky Mountains National park and take in a few Springtime festivals in the surrounding towns of Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg.
Is May a Good Time to Visit the Smoky Mountains?
May is indeed a beautiful time to visit. The bright green trees are sprinkled with the spring colors of wildflowers and the sound of babbling streams and waterfalls.
The wildlife is beginning to awaken and the sounds of the birds are everywhere.
I really belive that May is an underrated time of year to visit and am quite surprised it is typically slower than even some of the winter months.
Many people have returned to school and the summer crowds have not yet arrived, so cabins in the Smokies are typically abundant and at much better rates in May than you will find in other months throughout the year.
Don’t miss Things to do in Pigeon Forge in May
Smoky Mountains Weather in May
With average temperatures staying in a mild mid-70s range, the weather is as close to perfect as things get in this part of the country. You won’t experience humidity or extreme cold in most cases.
Smoky Mountains Things To Do In May
If waterfalls, wildlife, and wild flowers make you smile, then visiting the Smoky Mountains in May should put a grin on your face from ear to ear. Here are just a few ways you can experience the beauty of a late spring visit to the area.
With over 1,500 different kinds of floras growing throughout the area, Great Smoky Mountains National Park is one of the best places to see spring flowers in the USA.
Several species of wildflowers usually reach their peak in May including:
- Bee Balsam
- Lady's Slipper
- Butterfly Weed
- Yellow Trillium
- Catesby Trillium
- Foam Flower.
Cades Cove, Little River Trail, and Porters Creek are some of the best places to see these beautiful wildflowers in the Smokies!
Dollywood's Spring Flower Festival continues in May and offers guests an opportunity to see more than half a millions flowers on display throughout the park.
Enjoy one of these great scenic drives through the Smokies. While Fall is a great time to see the mountains, Spring is just as beautiful and these 7 Scenic drives display that beauty without the fall traffic jams.
As the weather gets slightly warmer, May is one of the best times to cool off and go white water rafting in the Smoky Mountains.
Cinco de Mayo (which means May 5 in Spanish) is always a special event in the Smoky Mountains.
The Smoky Mountains celebrate Cinco de Mayo with lots of lively music and dance, Latin American drinks and enchiladas, tamales, tacos, and other Mexican food.
Give mom the gift of relaxation by renting a cabin in the Smoky Mountains. Let her sit back and relax while taking a view of the majestic mountain vistas in Spring, soak in a bubbly bath, sip coffee, or unwind with a glass of wine.
Here are some great ways to celebrate this holiday in the Smokies:
- Dollywood’s Barbeque and Bluegrass Festival- Enjoy delectable, slow-cooked barbecue and traditional bluegrass music
- Family Fest in the Smokies- Gatlinburg has a 3-day musical celebration that brings together some of the best gospel and Christian artists in the country.
- Smoky Mountain Thunder Memorial Ride- Thousands of motorcycles gather on Clinch Mountain as part of the annual Smoky Mountain Thunder Memorial Ride. This is a memorial ride to honor the fallen veterans on Memorial Day weekend.
Spring time hiking is extra special in my opinion because of the brightness of the trees and the wildflowers.
May is a great time to go camping in the Smoky Mountains because the rates are lower, the crowds are lower, but the temperatures are warmer!
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