7 Best Things to Do in the Smoky Mountains in March

March is when the Smoky Mountains shake off winter and start becoming themselves again — waterfalls at peak volume, the first wildflowers pushing up through the leaf litter, bear cubs emerging for the first time, and Dollywood opening for a new season. Here are 7 things worth doing in March.

1. Watch Black Bear Cubs Emerge

Black bears give birth in January, deep in their winter dens. By late March, mothers begin bringing their cubs into the world for the first time — and Cades Cove is the best place in the park to witness it. The open meadow environment means bears are visible from the road in a way that forested trails don't allow. Arrive before 8 AM when the loop road opens for the best viewing before the day's traffic builds.

Wednesday and Saturday mornings the loop road is open to cyclists and walkers only until 10 AM — a uniquely peaceful experience in any season.

2. Hike to Waterfalls at Peak Volume

March is one of the best months of the year for Smoky Mountain waterfalls. Late-winter snowmelt and spring rainfall swell every mountain stream to its fullest, most dramatic condition. Laurel Falls (2.6 miles, paved) is the most accessible and most powerful this time of year. Grotto Falls (2.6 miles, moderate) is the only trail in the park that passes behind a waterfall. Abrams Falls (5.2 miles, moderate) is the most powerful by volume — March snowmelt makes it genuinely thunderous. See our full waterfall guide →

3. Spot the First Wildflowers of the Year

March marks the very beginning of the Smoky Mountains' wildflower season — the earliest blooms appearing at lower trail elevations while upper slopes are still bare. Look for hepatica (the first to appear, pushing through leaf litter while there's still frost on the ground), bloodroot (brilliant white flowers with yellow centers), and spring beauty (tiny pink-striped flowers that carpet the forest floor in masses). The Porters Creek Trail in the Greenbrier area and the Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail — if it has reopened for the season — are the best early-March options.

Note: lady slipper orchids, trillium, and fire pinks are April and May bloomers. March is the opening act — the full explosion follows in April.

4. Welcome Dollywood Back for Its New Season

Dollywood opens in late March, and being among the first guests through the gates at the start of a new season has a particular energy that midsummer Dollywood doesn't replicate. The Flower & Food Festival is underway from opening — more than 10,000 handcrafted artisan flowers in elaborate themed displays throughout the park, alongside celebrity chef demonstrations and locally inspired seasonal dishes. Crowds in late March are lighter than any time from May through October. See our full Dollywood guide →

5. Celebrate St. Patrick's Week

Gatlinburg leans into St. Patrick's Week with Irish-themed decor throughout the downtown Parkway, food and drink specials at restaurants and distilleries, and the festive energy that a city full of visitors generates around March 17. Ole Smoky Moonshine and Sugarlands Distilling both run St. Patrick's Day specials — green-hued cocktails, themed tastings, and live music. The Island in Pigeon Forge typically features Celtic-themed entertainment and special fountain show programming for the occasion.

6. See the Opening Car Shows of the Season

March marks the beginning of Pigeon Forge's automotive event calendar at the LeConte Event Center. The Corvette Expo and Ponies in the Smokies (Ford Mustangs) both typically take place in March — free spectator parking, family-friendly, and genuinely impressive displays of American automotive history. See our full car shows guide →

7. Catch the Last of Ober Gatlinburg's Winter Season

Ober Gatlinburg typically runs its winter programming through March — snow tubing, skiing, and snowboarding available depending on conditions. By late March the snow season is winding down, making early-to-mid March the last window of the year for mountaintop snow activities. Year-round offerings — mountain coaster, ice skating rink, Wildlife Habitat, and the aerial tramway ride from downtown Gatlinburg — are all available throughout the month. Check obermountain.com for current conditions before heading up.

March in the Smokies: What to Expect

Weather: Highs in the mid-50s to low 60s, lows in the 30s–40s. Variable — late-winter snow flurries are possible early in the month. Pack layers.

Crowds: Early March is the quietest and most affordable period of the spring season. Mid- to late March sees spring break traffic. Midweek visits are consistently quieter than weekends.

Fireplace note: All Colonial Properties fireplaces are operational October 1 through late February only. March visits fall outside the fireplace season. Hot tubs and fire pits are available year-round.

Frequently asked questions

Is March a good time to visit the Smoky Mountains?

Yes — particularly early March, which offers lower rates, lighter crowds, the year's first wildflowers, bear cubs beginning to emerge, peak waterfall volume, and Dollywood's freshly opened new season. The tradeoff is variable weather: pack layers for temperatures that swing from the 30s overnight to the 60s by afternoon.

What wildflowers bloom in the Smoky Mountains in March?

Hepatica, bloodroot, spring beauty, and trailing arbutus are the earliest bloomers, appearing at lower trail elevations in late March. Trillium, phacelia, and fire pink are April and May bloomers. March is the opening act of the wildflower season.

Are waterfalls better in March or summer?

March — snowmelt and spring rainfall produce the highest water volume of the year, making March waterfalls noticeably more powerful and dramatic than summer.

Does Ober Gatlinburg have snow tubing in March?

Potentially — the snow season typically extends through March, but conditions vary. Check obermountain.com for current availability before planning a snow activity trip.

Are fireplaces available in March cabins?

All Colonial Properties fireplaces are operational through late February only. March visits will not have active fireplaces. Hot tubs and fire pits are available year-round.