Great Smoky Mountains National Park in October
October at Great Smoky Mountains National Park averages a daytime high near 59°F and an overnight low around 41°F, with about 5.4" of precipitation. Visitation runs about 1.5× the park's average month, which makes October a busy month here.
- Average low
- 41°F
- Average high
- 59°F
Range across the year: 22°F to 74°F
- Precipitation
- 5.4 in
- Daylight
- 11.1 hours
Roughly 12% of the park's yearly visitors come in October: 1.5 million recreation visits in a typical year, based on National Park Service monthly counts from 1979 to 2025.
That makes October the 2nd-busiest of the park's twelve months, sitting between the July peak (1.5×) and the January low (0.4×).
On our Best Time to Visit score October rates 24/100 ("Poor"). Our recommended month is May: the lightest crowds of the park's good-weather months.
The daily average of about 50°F is a comfortable range for hiking and being outdoors all day. These figures are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals from the nearest station, about 4.5 miles from the park.
Because June, July and August together draw about 35% of annual visitors, choosing October instead steps outside that summer crush — the single biggest lever on how crowded the park feels.
You'll have about 11.1 hours of daylight in October to explore — between the 9.6-hour midwinter low and the 14.4-hour summer high.
Park-wide, 2025 drew 11,527,939 recreation visits, down 5.4% from 12,191,834 in 2024.
Across the past decade overall visitation has risen about 9.2%, so a October visit is likely to feel busier than it did a few years ago.
How October compares with the months around it
| Month | Avg high / low | Crowds | Best-time score |
|---|---|---|---|
| September | 68°F / 51°F | 1.2× Busy | 46 Fair |
| October | 59°F / 41°F | 1.5× Busy | 24 Poor |
| November | 50°F / 32°F | 0.9× Average | 32 Poor |
All twelve months at Great Smoky Mountains, with the best time to visit.
Seasonal closures in October 2026
The National Park Service lists these Great Smoky Mountains facilities as closed during October 2026. The dates are the park's own, read on October 11, 2026. A facility that is not listed here may still be closed, so confirm on the park's site before you go.
- Balsam Mountain Campground (campground): closed from October 12, 2026 to May 15, 2027
- Abrams Creek Campground (campground): closed from October 25, 2026 to May 8, 2027
- Big Creek Campground (campground): closed from October 25, 2026 to May 15, 2027
- Cataloochee Campground (campground): closed from October 25, 2026 to May 1, 2027
- Cosby Campground (campground): closed from October 25, 2026 to May 15, 2027
- Deep Creek Campground (campground): closed from October 25, 2026 to May 1, 2027
- Look Rock Campground (campground): closed from October 25, 2026 to May 8, 2027
Frequently Asked Questions
October averages a daytime high near 59°F and an overnight low around 41°F at Great Smoky Mountains National Park, with about 5.4 inches of precipitation. These are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals from the nearest station, about 4.5 miles from the park, so conditions inside the park can differ, especially at other elevations.
October is busy at Great Smoky Mountains National Park (about 1.5× the average month). Our best-time score rates it "Poor" at 24/100. Our recommended month is May.
The busiest month is July and the quietest is January. October sits at about 1.5× the park's average, or 12% of annual visitation.
A typical October sees about 1.5 million recreation visits at Great Smoky Mountains National Park, based on National Park Service monthly counts from 1979–2025.
Where to stay near Great Smoky Mountains in October
Booking a October trip to Great Smoky Mountains National Park? Compare hotels, cabins and vacation rentals near the park with live October availability and prices.
Top-rated places to stay near Great Smoky Mountains
Prices for Oct 30–Nov 1, 4 adults. Change dates on the map below.
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See the full ranking of the best national parks to visit in October.
Source: National Park Service Visitor Use Statistics (1979–2025), NOAA NCEI Climate Normals 1991–2020. Updated 2026-10-11.