The Heat Is … On

Ways to beat the heat on your Smoky Mountain vacation

East Tennessee was in the midst of one of the coolest springs and summers in recent memory until late June when someone kicked the thermostat up a couple of notches. We went from mild to wild in seemingly record time.

It’s important to remember that when the temperature rises in the Smokies, the humidity turns a bad situation worse. Even with highs in the low 90s, the heat index – essentially what it feels like outside – is significantly higher. Suddenly favorite activities like walking the Gatlinburg strip become unbearable. And walking around Pigeon Forge – where shade is hard to come by and it’s harder to duck into the closest air conditioning – becomes a real safety issue.

Fun activities like mini-golf courses, mountain coasters or going to Dollywood can become tests of will or endurance or both from late June to early September. Even something as basic as cruising the strip can become excruciating when traffic get heavy and you’re stuck and even the air conditioning can’t offset the relentless sun.

So, what is a melting vacationer to do? We’ve got some tips on how you can get out of your hotel room and into some fun without succumbing to the sweltering heat.

How to beat the heat in the Smokies

Mountain Streams

Some would tell you to look to the water parks to get refreshingly cooled off. However, while places like Splash Country and Soaky Mountain are tons of fun, in my experience, water parks aren’t exactly a great way to cool off.

First, water parks will have some shade and places where you can get out of the sun, especially if you pay extra for a cabana or spend an inordinate amount of time in the Lazy River. But there will still be a lot of exposure and the combination of water slides, lots of sun and a wave pool can be quite draining. There are few kinds of tired like the tired you get after 12 hours at the water park on an excessively hot day. 

Mountain streams however? That’s where you find the cool, my friends. The easiest to access are near the picnic areas at places like Metcalf Bottoms or the Cades Cove Picnic area but there are dozens and dozens of places in the GSMNP where you can pull over and do a little wading. That mountain water remains crisp and cool, cold even, on the hottest summer day.

You can go farther downstream where the streams turn to rivers and you can do more tubing and swimming – places like the Townsend Wye. But the water isn’t quite as refreshing and you’re more likely to have to share. 

Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail

As you drive up into the higher mountains, you get a lot of shade, places where you can relax away from the heat and you can enjoy the babbling water of the Roaring Fork itself along the back half of the drive. The higher mountains aren’t immune to the heat but a good change in elevation can make it more tolerable.

I find the Roaring Fork a little more refreshing than Cades Cove – the valley there can get warm – but both have their pluses. You can also take Newfound Gap Road up into mountains where scenic views and breezes align.

Ober Mountain

Again, it’s cooler the higher you get and Ober Mountain offers year-round ice skating and ice bumper cars. You can mix that in with other activities atop the mountain and take some time to look down on the people baking on the strip below. 

Pigeon Forge Snow

The sledding hill is tall and fast, packed with snow that feels like the real thing. Tickets are good for an hour and that’s about the right amount of time. After an hour or so, the artificial hill gets a little redundant. But the temperature inside is nice and frosty and there’s even a “snow” play area in which smaller kids can play. You can get a combo of an hour of tubing and a half hour of snow play for $36.99 at the time of this writing. But if your kids are older, probably skip the snow play. 

Explore The Museums

I don’t generally go to Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg for the museums – this ain’t Paris, after all. But when the heat index crosses 100 degrees, I’ll take any port in the storm. And the truth is I like places like the Titanic Museum and Wonderworks. I’m more dubious about Alcatraz East but it beats an hour and a half of putt-putt in the blistering sun.

Don’t forget the Ripley’s facilities in Gatlinburg – the aquarium and Believe It or Not are great. After that it’s a bit of diminishing returns, though the kids tend to enjoy the Mirror Maze.

It’s also a good time to check out the quirkier places like the Salt and Pepper Shaker Museum or some of the Christmas shops. Any of the places about which you’ve been curious but not quite curious enough to visit previously.

Whitewater rafting in Hartford

Don’t want to abandon the great outdoors despite the heat? There are multiple whitewater rafting excursions available on the Pigeon River that allow you to have an outdoor adventure without having to worry about heat stroke. They are not the most strenuous of rapids – in typical conditions – and great for families and beginners.

Ziplining

Why wait for a refreshing mountain breeze when you can create your own? The mountains are full of varying ziplines that allow you to soar through high altitudes with the wind in your hair. WildSide in Pigeon Forge has the MegaZip, America’s longest zipline ride at 5,771 feet reaching speeds of 55 MPH. Ober Mountain and Anakeesta in Gatlinburg also offer zipline options.

What is your favorite way to cool off in the Smokies? Let us know in the comments!