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Smoky Mountains in February?

Posted on 12/3/20 at 11:11 am
Posted by BeerMoney
Baton Rouge
Member since Jul 2012
8362 posts
Posted on 12/3/20 at 11:11 am
We are considering visiting the Smoky's in February over Mardi Gras. Bringing the kids(ages: 10, 11, 5) up there to maybe see snow and visit places around Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge, Townsend. Maybe stay in a nice Cabin.

I haven't been that way in over a decade and never was there in Winter. Anyone ever visit in February at this time? Recommendations on things to do, places to stay?

Posted by Fusaichi Pegasus
Meh He Co
Member since Oct 2010
14564 posts
Posted on 12/3/20 at 11:40 am to
Downtown Gatlinburg has turned into a tourist shite pile
Posted by Shexter
Prairieville
Member since Feb 2014
13848 posts
Posted on 12/3/20 at 11:50 am to
Gatlinburg in January/February will have many businesses closed. The whole area somewhat shuts down for winter. Crowds will be much smaller, and rental prices are much cheaper.

Christmas lights will still be up.

Dollywood closes from January 1st to mid-.March.

Clingman's Dome will be closed.

Roaring Fork Motor Trail will be closed.

Sweet Fanny Adams will be closed.

You'll be lucky to see snow at the highest elevations of 441 between G-burg and Cherokee.





Posted by BayouBengel07
Louisiana
Member since Sep 2006
315 posts
Posted on 12/3/20 at 11:57 am to
There was plenty of snow last year on 441
Posted by BeerMoney
Baton Rouge
Member since Jul 2012
8362 posts
Posted on 12/3/20 at 12:45 pm to
Yeah the rental rates seem significantly cheaper.
Posted by Pettifogger
Capitol Hill Autonomous Zone
Member since Feb 2012
79115 posts
Posted on 12/3/20 at 1:30 pm to
quote:

Downtown Gatlinburg has turned into a tourist shite pile



Is this a post from 1996
Posted by BeerMoney
Baton Rouge
Member since Jul 2012
8362 posts
Posted on 12/3/20 at 3:17 pm to
If everything is closed maybe I need to look at Bryson city or someplace like that? Seems like the cabins are expensive in Touristy Gatlinburg/Pigeon Forge vs North Carolina.
Posted by EdmondDontez
Chateau d'If
Member since Dec 2015
344 posts
Posted on 12/3/20 at 4:43 pm to
quote:

Downtown Gatlinburg has turned into a tourist shite pile


I 100% second this. Nothing but a shithole tourist spot. Try Blue Mountain Ridge, GA.
Posted by Dam Guide
Member since Sep 2005
15497 posts
Posted on 12/3/20 at 5:24 pm to
quote:

There was plenty of snow last year on 441


Depends on the day you are there, we got some snow this year in February, sometimes we don’t get any. No guarantee anything will stay long here. Weather changes are crazy in Tennessee.

A lot of stuff will be closed for the winter. Most of the regular tourist trap stuff stays open unless it’s outside like alpine coasters and of course Dollywood does a Seasonal break. Some of the park closes.

I like going in the park this time of year, it’s not as crowded and the trails are much more peaceful.

Don’t expect downtown gatlinburg or cades cove to be less crowded. You nuts from Louisiana invade and regular rednecks without children still come. It’s never not busy in those places anymore.

It is a good time of year to rent a cabin though unless it’s valentines or Presidents’ Day weekend, cheapest rates of the year.
This post was edited on 12/3/20 at 5:31 pm
Posted by Popths
Baton Rouge
Member since Aug 2016
3964 posts
Posted on 12/3/20 at 5:58 pm to
Creekside Cabins in Bryson City
Posted by BeerMoney
Baton Rouge
Member since Jul 2012
8362 posts
Posted on 12/3/20 at 6:52 pm to
Thanks for the suggestion. Will take a look. Found some promising places around Bryson city.

I didn’t realize so many places closed for the winter, so thanks to the poster for pointing that out. We now looking to get a really nice place, do some hikes and visit some breweries while the kids stay with the womens.
Posted by BeerMoney
Baton Rouge
Member since Jul 2012
8362 posts
Posted on 12/3/20 at 9:42 pm to
Hey all just wanted to say I appreciate the comments. The overly touristy nature of Gatlinburg/Pigeon Forge and the posts concerning North Georgia led me to much nicer places in North Georgia at a much better rate than Tennessee. May not see any snow but we'll have a nice week in Ellijay, GA.
Posted by Y.A. Tittle
Member since Sep 2003
101292 posts
Posted on 12/3/20 at 10:31 pm to
quote:


Clingman's Dome will be closed.

Roaring Fork Motor Trail will be closed.



Why do they close these?
Posted by Shexter
Prairieville
Member since Feb 2014
13848 posts
Posted on 12/4/20 at 9:42 am to
quote:

Why do they close these?


They close the road to the Clingman's Dome parking lot. I think you can still hike up from lower elevations.

I'd guess Roaring Fork closes due to ice on the less traveled roads.
Posted by BottomlandBrew
Member since Aug 2010
27062 posts
Posted on 12/4/20 at 12:46 pm to
quote:

Downtown Gatlinburg has turned into a tourist shite pile


That was like 40 years ago. Maybe longer. I can only say 40 because it's been that way my entire life.

quote:

Why do they close these?


Snow and ice. Weather between Mt. Le Conte and Clingman's Dome is super unpredictable.
Posted by Dam Guide
Member since Sep 2005
15497 posts
Posted on 12/4/20 at 12:58 pm to
It’s mostly maintenance costs, takes too much money keeping up with snow, ice, and downed trees in the off season. Our national park is free unlike most national parks because of the people in this area raising the money to buy the land. If you come to the area and enjoy it, donate and help them out.
Posted by nctiger71
North Carolina
Member since Oct 2017
1318 posts
Posted on 12/4/20 at 1:49 pm to
Article about road closures in western NC
This just popped up on my phone. The article has a couple of links about roads closures that I presume will still be valid in Feb.
Posted by NYCAuburn
TD Platinum Membership/SECr Sheriff
Member since Feb 2011
57002 posts
Posted on 12/4/20 at 6:07 pm to
quote:

Downtown Gatlinburg has turned into a tourist shite pile


I’d like to see the prior...

Op can you pick me up a sweet quad blade katana and a few throwing stars while you are there...
This post was edited on 12/4/20 at 6:08 pm
Posted by BeerMoney
Baton Rouge
Member since Jul 2012
8362 posts
Posted on 12/4/20 at 7:39 pm to
quote:

Op can you pick me up a sweet quad blade katana and a few throwing stars while you are there..


Sorry baw. The others already talked me out of it. We going to a small town in North Georgia and staying right inside the National forest. Beautiful cabin at much better rates than Gatlinburg. Gonna do some hiking, wine tasting and brewery visits. Probably cook a lot in the cabin.

Why are there so many vineyards in North Georgia?
Posted by NYCAuburn
TD Platinum Membership/SECr Sheriff
Member since Feb 2011
57002 posts
Posted on 12/5/20 at 6:41 am to
quote:

Why are there so many vineyards in North Georgia?


Climate is supposed to be similar to region in Cali.

quote:

Sorry baw. The others already talked me out of it. We going to a small town in North Georgia and staying right inside the National forest. Beautiful cabin at much better rates than Gatlinburg. Gonna do some hiking, wine tasting and brewery visits. Probably cook a lot in the cabin.


Just saw. Plan on time in blue ridge. You are close. Ellijay is right up the road from me about 30-40 minutes. Have fun.
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