Great Smoky Mountains in November: Crowds, Weather & What to Pack
Shoulder · VisitWhen score 49/100 · #9 of 12 months
November is a solid shoulder-season month to visit Great Smoky Mountains National Park: crowds run 62% of the October peak (992,043 average visits). Weather: highs average 50°F and lows 32°F, with 5.9″ of precipitation and 10.3 hours of daylight. Computed from NPS and NOAA data.
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Bring for Great Smoky Mountains in November
- Warm mid-layer (fleece or light puffy)See it on AmazonWhy: mornings average 32°F.
- Rain shell + pack coverSee it on AmazonWhy: 5.9″ of precipitation is normal this month.
- HeadlampSee it on AmazonWhy: only 10.3 hours of daylight in mid-November.
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Great Smoky Mountains in November: what the park service says
November closes the Smokies' fall colour season, which the park dates from September to mid-November. Early November highs fall into the 50s and 60s°F, nights are usually near freezing, and snow becomes possible at higher elevations. Autumn is the park's driest period, with only occasional showers. Mid-November onward is winter, generally moderate but prone to extremes up high.
Source: NPS, checked 2026-11-05.
Crowds in November
Great Smoky Mountains averages 992,043 recreation visits in November — 62% of what October, the peak month, draws. Trailheads and parking fill accordingly.
Weather & daylight
Days are cool (highs average 50°F), and mornings are chilly (lows average 32°F). This is one of the wetter months (5.9″ of precipitation on average). Mid-month daylight runs 10.3 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 November.
What to pack for Great Smoky Mountains in November
Computed from the month's weather normals above — not a generic list.
- Warm mid-layer (fleece or light puffy) — mornings average 32°F
- Rain shell + pack cover — 5.9″ of precipitation is normal this month
- Headlamp — only 10.3 hours of daylight in mid-November (compare other options)
- Waterproof boots — plus navigation and a basic first-aid kit — 5.9″ of precipitation is normal this month
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If your dates are flexible, consider shifting: The computed best months for Great Smoky Mountains are April and May.
Also at their best in November
Other parks whose computed November verdict is a best window — same NPS × NOAA formula:
- Canyonlands in November — 35% of peak crowds, highs 55°F, score 72/100
- Mammoth Cave in November — 33% of peak crowds, highs 61°F, score 72/100
- New River Gorge in November — 33% of peak crowds, highs 54°F, score 72/100
- Petrified Forest in November — 45% of peak crowds, highs 58°F, score 72/100
Common questions
Is Great Smoky Mountains crowded in November?
Moderately: November runs 62% of the October peak, averaging 992,043 visits (NPS, 2021–2025). See every month at Great Smoky Mountains.
What is the weather like in Great Smoky Mountains in November?
Average highs of 50°F, lows of 32°F, 5.9″ of precipitation (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, NEWFOUND GAP, TN US station). Compare it with other national parks in November.
What should I pack for Great Smoky Mountains in November?
Warm mid-layer (fleece or light puffy); Rain shell + pack cover; Headlamp — the full weather-computed list is on this page. Going in December instead? Great Smoky Mountains in December has its own list.
See also: the best national parks to visit in November · Last verified 2026-09-24