There is nothing better than trying to find one last outdoor adventure before summer comes to an end. The end of summer will be here before you know it, so now is the time to start planning for one last seasonal trip to the Great Smoky Mountains. You will find one of the most beautiful national parks and plenty of exciting activities and attractions in the area. Here are some late summer activities in the Smoky Mountains you cannot pass up:
Hit the Trails
The late summer season will see the temps starting to drop, including some moments where it begins to feel like fall. This is the perfect time to take the opportunity to explore local hiking trails. The Great Smoky Mountains are home to some popular trails you will want to check out in person, including the Alum Cave Bluffs Trail and Andrews Bald Trail. Both trails are considered to be moderately challenging trails and are both under 5 miles in length. Late summer tends to be less crowded around the Smoky Mountains, so you can have more space on the trails. Get out and explore the trails during your late summer visit.
Go to Dollywood
The summer season is always a busy time here around the Great Smoky Mountains with plenty of crowds wanting to see the area. By the time that late summer comes around, you will find that many of the crowds have dispersed. One of the busiest attractions of summer is always Dollywood over in Pigeon Forge. This Dolly Parton theme park has all kinds of wild rides and exciting themed areas to explore. Reaching Pigeon Forge from our vacation rentals is a very short drive, making getting to the park as easy as possible. Don’t miss out on this Pigeon Forge staple that has been around for 40 years in the community!
Go White Water Rafting
The summer season brings plenty of opportunities to cool down. White water rafting has become a fan favorite activity and can be harder to book during the busy summer season. As summer comes to an end, you will find that white water rafting will be more available, allowing you to try out this rush of a sport. The Smoky Mountains is home to the Pigeon River, where you can find all the rafting activities you want. The Upper Pigeon River is where you will find white water rafting. Some companies that you can book a guided rafting trip with include Smoky Mountain Rafting or Big Creek Expeditions. You will not find more experienced rafting guides in the area. White water rafting can be enjoyed by families of all ages who don’t mind getting splashed and taking on a few rapids. For those who prefer a quieter time on the river you can also enjoy tubing down the Lower Pigeon River. The late summer season lets you book these trips much easier.
Book a Scenic Drive
Here in the Smoky Mountains you will feel the temps begin to drop as summer comes to an end. We all love warm weather, but the cool breezes of fall will be quite welcome. If you are looking for a relaxing experience during your late summer stay, you can enjoy a scenic drive through the area. This activity does not require any prior booking and can be enjoyed at any point in your trip. If you have a car during your trip, consider one of these scenic drives.
Newfound Gap Road can be found along US 441 and connects Gatlinburg with Cherokee. You will be driving through the heart of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Expect some incredible views of local mountains and valleys with plenty of opportunities for photos. If you prefer a look back into history, take the Cades Cove Loop Road. This 11-mile-long one-way road takes you past historic buildings along with plenty of opportunities for wildlife viewing. Many locals report this is a great spot to start to the leaves start to change colors as fall begins. Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail is perhaps the most popular scenic drive in the area and is great to enjoy with less traffic at the end of summer. You will find plenty of points to stop and get out and explore a trail or two.
Get Ready for the Smoky Mountains
These late summer activities will make your stop by the Great Smoky Mountains one to remember. Make sure to explore our listing of Smoky Mountain vacation rentals in the area. Each property features luxury amenities and plenty of reasons to book a stay. Contact us to book today and come see the mountains for yourself.