Great Smoky Mountains in December: Crowds, Weather & What to Pack

Shoulder · VisitWhen score 44/100 · #12 of 12 months

December is a solid shoulder-season month to visit Great Smoky Mountains National Park: crowds run 47% of the October peak (753,631 average visits), days average 43°F with 9.8 hours of daylight. Computed from NPS and NOAA data.

Crowds in December

Great Smoky Mountains averages 753,631 recreation visits in December — 47% of what October, the peak month, draws — the third-quietest month of the year. Plan lodging and entries with that in mind.

Weather & daylight

Expect cold conditions (highs average 43°F), and nights drop below freezing (lows average 27°F). This is one of the wetter months (7.0″ of precipitation on average). Mid-month daylight runs 9.8 hours.

NOAA 1991–2020 monthly normals, station NEWFOUND GAP, TN US (0 mi from park coordinates, 5,040 ft elevation) — conditions vary inside the park, especially with elevation. Daylight computed for the 15th of December.

What to pack for Great Smoky Mountains in December

Computed from the month's weather normals above — not a generic list.

• Insulated jacket, beanie and gloves — nights average 27°F, below freezing
• Rain shell + pack cover — 7.0″ of precipitation is normal this month
• Headlamp — only 9.8 hours of daylight in mid-December
• Sturdy broken-in footwear, navigation and a basic first-aid kit — every park, every month

Looking for a better window? The computed best months for Great Smoky Mountains are April and May.

Common questions

See also: the best national parks to visit in December · Last verified 2026-07-16