The Smoky Mountains Range is in spectacular full bloom during the summer season. This bloom creates the outstanding Appalachian vistas that are so popular with area vacationers. During this time of the year the surrounding East Tennessee hills are covered in a dense, and lush Appalachian foliage that consists of a diverse set of tree and plant species unparalleled anywhere else on the continent. Without a doubt the Great Smoky Mountains National Park is in its most vital and vibrant form between the months of May and September. Its no surprise therefore that the months of May-August see more tourists pour through the area than any other four month period of the year.

Animal populations such as squirrels, deer, raccoons, foxes, and the black bears are all active during these summer months. This combination of lush forest growth and a busy animal population makes for inspiring scenes for Smoky Mountain area visitors to enjoy. Tennessee tourists enjoy these scenes by foot (by exploring the hundreds of walking and hiking trails featured within the GSMNP boundaries), by car (through scenic drives such as the one along the famous Newfound Gap Road), and by water (by white-water rafting or kayaking down the picturesque Little Pigeon River).

While it may be the star of the show, the Great Smoky Mountains National Park certainly isn't the only draw to the East Tennessee area during the summer months. The local resort cities of Gatlinburg, Townsend, Pigeon Forge, and Sevierville join in on this all-natural celebration of Appalachian life at its fullest with a wide variety of exciting and entertaining regional festivals and special events. At various points of the year Pigeon Forge, Gatlinburg, and Sevierville join hands to co-host area-wide festival celebrations. An example of this regional celebration is the much touted Smoky Mountain Springfest Festival. In early June the Springfest Festival is just wrapping up with grand finale events in all three of these Smoky Mountain sister cities.

Speaking of festivals, Gatlinburg celebrates the onset of summer with the entertaining MountainFest Festival. Gatlinburg's MountainFest is a popular throwback to the rich heritage of Smoky Mountain culture. The celebration begins in early June with mountain music performers and Smoky Mountain artisan displays. Tennessee tourists certainly enjoy seeing these arts and crafts skills applied right before their eyes. Many of these revered craftspeople have had their skills and knowledge passed down from generation to generation. And all this is on grand display during the kick-off to the Gatlinburg Mountainfest Festival. Of course a celebration of Smoky Mountain culture just wouldn't be complete without the inclusion of plenty of the area's delectable cuisine! Throughout the duration of the festival local food favorites such as deep fried beans, onion-topped fried taters, cornbread and fried green tomatoes are available for samplings and full-on meals. Be prepared to fall in love with these local favorites!

Not to be outdone, Gatlinburg's sister city of Pigeon Forge offers its own mix of compelling summer-time special events for Smoky Mountain tourists to see and experience. If there is one Pigeon Forge attraction that stands out from the rest, it's the world famous theme park known as Dollywood. Dollywood, named after East Tennessee's most famous native citizen, takes summer-time fun to a new level with the popular KidsFest Festival. This is an action-packed family celebration that offers a wide variety of attractions likely to be highly popular with the younger members of your family. Some of Dollywood's KidsFest most popular attractions include: the SpongeBob Square Pants Turbo Action Ride, the Clifford the Big Red Dog Stage Show, the Big Cats and Magic Show, and the Miss Penny & Patches the Scarecrow Show.

Something else that Pigeon Forge is well known for is its celebration of classic cars. Pigeon Forge plays host to more auto-events than any other location in the Appalachian region. During the summer months Pigeon Forge is home to the Southern Nationals Association Camaro, Chevelle, and Nova Nationals, the Chevy Classics Show, and the Smoky Mountain Pontiacs in Pigeon Forge event. If classic cars are your thing- then Pigeon Forge in the summer is the place to be!

As June rolls into July Pigeon Forge residents plan for one of the nation's largest 4th of July celebrations. This year marks the 16th annual celebration of the Patriot Festival in Pigeon Forge's Patriot Park. Attractions that are part of the Patriot's Day festivities include bluegrass music performers, an All-American food festival, a military salute, an opening performance by the Pigeon Forge Community Chorus and more! The grand finale is marked by a dazzling fireworks display. Seeing this brilliant display against a majestic Smoky Mountain backdrop is quite a site to behold!

Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge might be the most well-known of the Smoky Mountain cities of East Tennessee, but they certainly aren't the only destinations available for exploration! The Smoky Mountain gateway city of Sevierville adds to the summer-time flare with events such as the Tennessee Smallmouth Fishing Seminar and special summer-time shows at the downtown Governor's Palace. Townsend, Tennessee, offers the Townsend Trout Fest and its own 4th of July celebration. North Carolina cities such as Cherokee add their own Smoky Mountain vibrance with summer events like the Great Smoky Mountain Trout, Wildlife & Heritage Festival, the popular Gourd Festival, and the Maggie Mountain Bingo Bonanza.

Summer-time in the Smoky Mountains certainly is a special time of year. Almost as soon as Smoky Mountain Springfest festivities are wrapping up, Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge, and Sevierville kick their summer celebrations into high gear. Gatlinburg's MountainFest Festival and Pigeon Forge's Patriot Festival mark two of the highlights of the Smoky Mountain summer season. And of course all of these celebrations and special events only serve to augment the stunning attractions of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park in full summer bloom. A wide variety of outdoor recreational activities make summer one of the most popular times of the year to make a getaway to the Smoky Mountain Park. The events in the surrounding Tennessee cities of Pigeon Forge, Gatlinburg, Townsend and Sevierville just serve to add even more value to the prospect of an exciting summer-time Smoky Mountain escape.