Content Produced in Partnership with Visit Sevierville
When you’re looking for a spring adventure, search no further than the Smoky Mountains in East Tennessee. Nestled at the base of America's most visited national park, Sevierville strikes a perfect balance between outdoor activities and family-friendly attractions and restaurants. As the mountains begin to turn brilliant shades of green and the wildlife emerge, springtime proves to be one of the best times to visit the area. In addition to slimmer crowds, visitors can find great deals and seasonal offerings on lodging and attrations in the hometown of Dolly Parton. And, after all, if it gave us Dolly, it’s basically sacred ground, right? You don’t need to work “9 to 5” to plan out a spring trip that will have you saying “I Will Always Love You” to Sevierville — it’s all right here.
Cabin Fever
A true Smoky Mountain experience involves a stay at a cozy cabin. Because there are so many cabin rentals to choose from in Sevierville, it's best to decide what you want from your Smoky Mountain vacation. If you want to stay close to the attractions and restaurants in town, look for cabins located just north of Sevierville. Cabin rental companies like Oak Haven Resorts offer luxury cabins with hot tubs, fireplaces, and comfy beds all while not being too far from shopping and outdoor attractions. You'll also be able to enjoy reduced rates available for March, April and most of May. If you want a more secluded stay, south of town is the way to go. These cabins will have you ready for fishing, hiking, and exploring the great outdoors. Hidden Mountain Resorts has cabins split into east and west categories based on what type of experience you’re searching for.
May Madness
Spring is a great time to visit Sevierville, but May is an extra great to make your way to east Tennessee, because there are so many festivals and events happening. Local food and beverage vendors set up in downtown Sevierville to serve up food and drinks all while bands perform at Shine & Dine on Bruce. It’s $30 for admission, food, drinks, and live entertainment. For those under 21 or folks who don’t drink, it’s only $20. The best part? Proceeds from Shine & Dine go to benefit the Sevierville Commons Association which provides support for artists of all ages in Sevierville.
It doesn’t get much more Tennessee than chowing down on some world-class barbeque while listening to banjos and mandolins, which is why The Bloomin’ BBQ & Bluegrass Festival is another great option if
you’re in Sevierville in May. Along with food, drinks, and live music, arts and crafts vendors set up and
sell their products during the two-day festival. It’s also light on the wallet
if you want to check it out; you can get in to the festivities and enjoy the music
for free.
Take a Hike
When you think of the Smoky Mountains, you probably think of hiking — and for good reason. There are plenty of hiking trails for all experience levels around Sevierville, including many in the nearby national park. Aside from the mild temperatures, trails tend to be less crowded in the spring as well, so there’s more of a chance to quietly observe local wildlife (Cades Cove is a big favorite) or enjoy a picnic near a stream. Foxfire Adventure Park has a healthy mix of hiking, biking, and ATV trails alongside ziplining courses, on-site restaurants and even a cider mill. Foxfire also has the longest swinging bridge in the US, which leads to quieter areas of the park, with only the occasional zipliner breaking up the silence.
Coming Up Roses
Sevierville puts on quite a show every spring with spring flowers typically in bloom from late March to mid-May. Great Smoky Mountains National Park is home to more than 1,500 varieties of flowering plants, including over 300 rare plants. Spring visitors can enjoy wildflower specific hikes during this time. Trails like Schoolhouse Gap Trail and the Cove Hardwood Nature Trail, which has some of the best spring wildflower viewing opportunities in the park, are especially popular and provide plenty of photo opportunities. The National Parks Service even has this handy species map that can help you narrow down a particular type of flower, tree, or plant you want to see and find it in the Smoky Mountains.