Great Smoky Mountains National Park in December
Great Smoky Mountains National Park · crowd + weather almanac
December crowd level
moderate
about 718,000 visits in a
typical December
The 10th-busiest month of the year ·
median of 2016–2025 official NPS counts
December is the 10th-busiest month of the year at Great Smoky Mountains National Park: about 718,000 recreation visits in a typical December (6% of the year's traffic, and 47% of what the peak month, October, sees). Crowds are middling — noticeably lighter than peak season. Weather-wise, December days at the Gatlinburg 2 Sw, TN station typically top out around 50°F with nights near 29°F, and about 4.9 inches of precipitation falls over the month. The station's long-term normal includes about 1 inches of December snowfall.
- Typical December: 717,766 recreation visits (median 2016–2025); the range across those years ran 468,721 (2016) to 856,808 (2021).
- Busier than 2 of the other 11 months.
- 1991–2020 December normals at Gatlinburg 2 Sw, TN: high 50°F, low 29°F, 4.92 in precipitation, 1.4 in snow.
- Similar daytime temperatures, thinner crowds: February typically runs 51°F days with about 38% fewer visits (442,000 vs 718,000).
December weather (1991–2020 normals)
| Typical daytime high | 50°F |
|---|---|
| Typical overnight low | 29°F |
| Precipitation (monthly normal) | 4.92 in |
| Snowfall (monthly normal) | 1.4 in |
| Measured at | Gatlinburg 2 Sw, TN (USC00403420), 0.1 mi from the park reference point, elev. 1,454 ft |
Every month at Great Smoky Mountains
| Month | Typical visits | Crowds | High / Low | Precip |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 408,535 | quiet | 47°F / 27°F | 4.8 in |
| February | 442,380 | quiet | 51°F / 29°F | 4.3 in |
| March | 816,014 | moderate | 59°F / 35°F | 5.6 in |
| April | 968,815 | busy | 69°F / 42°F | 4.9 in |
| May | 1,105,108 | busy | 75°F / 51°F | 5.5 in |
| June | 1,435,799 | busiest stretch | 80°F / 59°F | 6.0 in |
| July | 1,526,602 | busiest stretch | 83°F / 63°F | 6.3 in |
| August | 1,250,680 | busy | 82°F / 62°F | 4.4 in |
| September | 1,295,016 | busy | 78°F / 56°F | 4.3 in |
| October | 1,536,183 | busiest stretch | 68°F / 44°F | 3.2 in |
| November | 906,560 | moderate | 58°F / 34°F | 4.0 in |
| December | 717,766 | moderate | 50°F / 29°F | 4.9 in |