Catch Spring Fever: Seasonal Fun in Gatlinburg, TN and at Rocky Top Sports World

While every season has something special to offer in the Great Smoky Mountains, spring may just be our favorite! The spring climate in Gatlinburg, TN is ideal for playing sports, as the weather is warm without being too hot. In addition to the comfortable temperature, spring also brings spectacular scenery and fun events to the Smokies. To help you plan your next trip to Gatlinburg, we have put together a guide to everything going on in the area this spring.

Incredible Wildflowers

Millions of people visit the Great Smoky Mountains each spring to enjoy the area’s natural beauty. One of the highlights of the spring season is the stunning array of colorful wildflowers in the national park. With over 1,500 types of flowering plants in the area, it’s no wonder that the Smokies are sometimes called “Wildflower National Park”! Peak season for the wildflowers is in April, but visitors can see the beautiful blooms from mid-March through June. Here are some of the most popular wildflower hikes in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park:

• Cove Hardwood Self-guiding Nature Trail
• Schoolhouse Gap Trail
• Little River Trail (mid-March through April)
• Porters Creek Trail (late March through April, first 1.5 miles)
• Gregory Ridge Trail (first 2 miles)
• Middle Prong Trail (first 2 miles)
• Appalachian Trail between Newfound Gap and Road Prong Trail (mid-April through May)

Spring Events in Gatlinburg

The city of Gatlinburg hosts a number of special events throughout the spring season. Here are some of the great events you can look forward to this spring:

• The Spring Wildflower Pilgrimage in April is a five-day event that features guided hikes in the national park and a variety of classes related to the area’s wildflowers, wildlife, natural history, and culture.

• The Great Smoky Ester Arts & Crafts Show in April is the ultimate souvenir shopping experience. The artisans from Gatlinburg’s Arts & Crafts Community will be at the Gatlinburg Convention Center to meet with visitors and sell their beautiful handcrafted products.

• The Gatlinburg Beans & Cornbread Festival in May celebrates one of Appalachia’s most popular dishes. Guests at this fun festival in downtown Gatlinburg will have the chance to sample delicious beans and cornbread recipes from the area’s best chefs.

Spring Tournaments at Rocky Top Sports World

Rocky Top Sports World is going to be a busy place this spring! Here are just a few of the awesome tournaments on our calendar for the coming months:

• The Smoky Mountain Cup (March 16 – 19) is the biggest high school soccer tournament in the nation and features teams from all across the country.

• The Peak Challenge Volleyball Tournament (April 22 – 23) is a great event for volleyball teams that belong to USAV, AAU, or JVA.

• The Alliance Premier Cup (April 29 – 20) is an awesome boys soccer tournament that is expected to feature over 160 teams.

• The 16th Annual Tennessee Miracle Classic (May 5 – 7) is a popular girls basketball tournament with over 100 teams from 12 states.

• The Rocky Top Challenge (June 9 – 11) is a wonderful basketball tournament for boys and girls in 3rd – 11th grade.

Since Rocky Top Sports World opened in 2014, it has established itself as one of the premier tournament destinations in the Southeast. With 6 basketball courts, 12 volleyball courts, 7 fields, an onsite grill, and stunning views of the Smoky Mountains, our athletic complex has everything required to host the perfect sports event. To see all of the upcoming tournaments and camps at Rocky Top Sports World, check out our Gatlinburg Sports Events Calendar!