As summer reaches its peak, things to do in the Smoky Mountains in July are endless! Today, we offer you this Smoky Mountains vacation guide to help you plan your summer vacation.
Summer is about to get hotter in the Smokies. As temperatures soar into the high, tons of outdoor activities and fun attractions await July visitors in the Smoky Mountains. So what are you waiting for, hurry and take advantage of the perfect summer weather before it’s over!
It’s summertime in the Smoky Mountains and we all know what that means, time to celebrate the great outdoors! While July is hotter, it is also the perfect time to go outside and experience the best attractions and activities. Don’t know where to begin? No worries, here are the best things to do in the Smoky Mountains in July.
Is July a good time to visit the Smoky Mountains?
Yes!!!
The Best time to visit the Smoky Mountains is during the summer, in June, July, and August.
July is considered to be the warmest month in the Smoky Mountains. This warm, sunny time of the year offers the best time to enjoy the outdoors. From miles and miles of hiking trails and different water adventures to exploring fascinating museums, visitors have plenty of options to choose from. Plus, be sure to catch the 4th of July celebrations around the area!
While summertime is the best time to visit the Smokies, it is also the most crowded, with July considered as the busiest month in the area. Expect that lodging costs would be higher and rooms tend to fill up very quickly. The best you can do is book a few months in advance to avoid the hassle.
Whether you want to soak up some of that summer sun or are looking for ways to cool off, you’ll never run out of options! Soak up the best of summer with these fun things to do in the Smoky Mountains in July.
Things To Do in The Smoky Mountains in July
Planning a Smoky Mountains trip in summer? Here are the best things to do in the Smoky Mountains in July.
Within the Great Smoky Mountain National Park, you’ll find plenty of swimming holes that are perfect to beat that summer heat! Here are some best places to go swimming in the Smokies:
- Greenbrier Swimming Hole
- Little River at the Sinks
- Metcalf Bottoms Swimming Area
- Townsend Wye
- Midnight Hole
White water rafting has been central to outdoor recreation in the Smoky Mountains during summer. Visitors will find plenty of white water rafting outfitters in the area that offer trips that are perfect for beginners to experts.
From float trips on the Lower Pigeon River which features calmer and smaller waves to the Upper Pigeon River with heart-pumping Class IV and Class V rapids, everyone can find something that offers just the right adrenaline rush.
What’s great about it is that you don’t need special skills to be able to enjoy this activity, even small kids as young as 3 years old can enjoy the rapids too.
With great weather and bursting with scenic views, July offers the perfect time to go hiking in the Smoky Mountains.
From stunning wildflowers and cascading waterfalls to unique wildlife, you’ll surely stumble upon these mountain treasures along your hike. You’ll have more than 850 miles of trails to explore, ranging in level of difficulty from easy to difficult.
The best hiking trails to explore in summer include Abrams Falls Trail, Porters Creek Trail, Big Creek Trail, Laurel Falls, and Andrews Bald.
Celebrate summer at Dollywood! This seasonal celebration in Dollywood features exciting and thrilling rides, spectacular shows & entertainment, and plenty of great food and dining!
Expect this year’s summer celebration to be extra exciting because the Sweet Summer Nights drone & fireworks show is back but bigger, brighter, and more beautiful than they’ve ever been!
Not just that, Gazillion Bubble Show Aurora returns to Dollywood for the first time since 2017. Watch gazillions of bubbles fill up the entire theater in one of a kind show that is perfect for the whole family.
Summer vacation in the Smoky Mountains isn't complete without going to the family favorite Dollywood Splash Country!
Featuring towering waterslides, fun rides, and a lazy river, this is the perfect place to play and cool off on a hot summer day. And if you even get hungry, there are plenty of spots to grab a bite!
Celebrate independence day with a bang! In honor of the big day, Gatlinburg offers a spectacular 20-minute firework show that starts at 11:00 p.m. from the Gatlinburg Space Needle.
Guests can view this incredible light show from any vantage point in downtown Gatlinburg. Admission is free so claim your spots as early as possible to be able to see the best view.
Don’t miss out on all the fun at Pigeon Forge’s Patriot Fest happening on July 4th! This annual independence day celebration features live music, food, and fun games that are all free and open to the public.
It will start with a Welcome / Veterans Tribute at 4 pm and end the event with a fireworks finale at 9:50 pm. Guests are allowed to bring lawn chairs and blankets too!
Summer vacations are a great opportunity to relax and enjoy precious bonding time with the family. To make the most of your summer trip to the Smokies in June, you should consider renting a cabin in the Smoky Mountains.
Staying at cabin rentals means you get to enjoy the added level of privacy that these rentals offer. The Great Smoky Mountains are literally on your doorstep. Plus there are cabin rentals with gorgeous mountain views and pools so you don’t really have to go out to have a good time.
The Smoky Mountains aren't all about the great outdoors in July, there are also plenty of ways to enjoy indoors! If you want to take a break from the summer heat, Ober Gatlinburg offers the perfect opportunity to cool off.
Featuring a 140′ X 75′ indoor ice arena, this ice skating rink is the centerpiece of Ober Gatlinburg’s enclosed mall that is open year-round.
From beginners to professional skaters, everyone is welcome to glide around Ober’s indoor ice arena.
The Smoky Mountains Tunes & Tales is back again to entertain Gatlinburg & the Smokies this July!
Be prepared to witness this annual summer-long street performance festival featuring musicians and different kinds of performers at large on the streets of Gatlinburg, and amuse downtown Parkway visitors with bluegrass music for free every evening.
Looking for new ways to explore the Smoky Mountains in Summer? Go horseback riding!
The Great Smoky Mountains National Park offers 4 horseback riding stables that offer guided horseback rides starting from mid-March through late November.
Beginners and expert riders are all welcome to join this one-of-a-kind scenic tour of the Smoky Mountains. Rides on scenic park trails are offered lasting from 45 minutes to several hours.
Can’t Afford a Family Vacation? Think Again!
- Would You Like An Easy Way to keep track of your travel expenses?
- Do you ever feel like you have no idea what you spend on your vacation?
- Wouldn’t it be nice to keep your travel plans and confirmation numbers AND track your spending all on your phone and in ONE place?
If you answered YES to any of these questions, then The Travel Expense Tracker™️ can help you.
Gain control of your travel budget so you can travel more NOW and in the future!
Accessible from your tablet, laptop, or smartphone.
Get Your FREE Summer Packing List for The Smoky Mountains Today!
Related Smoky Mountain Resources
- Pigeon Forge Vacation Guide
- Gatlinburg Vacation Guide
- 125+ Things to Do in the Smoky Mountains
- Great Smoky Mountains Family Vacations Facebook Group
MORE RELATED RESOURCES
No matter what the season, there’s always something fun to do in the Smokies. For more awesome vacation ideas check out our list of 125+ Amazing Things To Do in the Smoky Mountains!
There are also other great places to visit near the Smokies, here’s a post about awesome must-see stops on the Blue Ridge Parkway near Asheville by CS Ginger.