CONTACT THE SHORT TERM SHOP

Phone: 800-898-1498
Email: agents@theshorttermshop.com
STS Plus: https://stsplus.com
The STR Podcast: https://bit.ly/youtubecasts
Website: https://theshorttermshop.com

My Books:
Short-Term Rental, Long-Term Wealth: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09HN32D78
Smarter Short-Term Rentals: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DWNFX7X6

Smoky Mountain Seasonality Guide 2026: What Every Investor Must Know

One of the biggest advantages of investing in the Smoky Mountains is how predictable the seasonality is. When you look at AirdDNA occupancy ranges, ADR patterns, and thousands of real bookings across our clients’ portfolios, the Smokies follow a remarkably reliable flow.

Seasonality isn’t just about revenue — it impacts pricing, booking windows, expenses, and your long-term strategy. If you understand these cycles before you buy, you’ll outperform operators who simply “set it and forget it.”

Here’s what 2026 looks like based on real data and investor experience.

Spring (March–April): One of the Most Underrated Revenue Seasons

Spring in the Smokies provides:

• Solid occupancy driven by spring break travelers

• Early-season hikers

• Guests looking for mild weather and accessible trails

AirdDNA ADR ranges for spring remain strong for two to four bedroom cabins, with family travel creating steady weekday and weekend demand.

Spring is also the first “reset period” after winter, where you can improve your listing, update amenities, refresh photos, and get ahead of summer.

Summer (May–August): High Occupancy + Strong ADR Ranges

Summer is one of the most dependable income periods of the year.

Summer travelers include:

• Families

• Multi-generational groups

• Longer-stay guests

• Guests maximizing theme parks, hiking, and water activities

AirdDNA data shows summer filling months in advance, especially for mid-sized cabins.
Peak Saturdays in summer often hit the highest ADR ranges outside of major holidays.

Fall (September–October): One of the Most Profitable Seasons in the U.S.

Fall foliage in the Smokies is legendary — and so are the numbers.

AirdDNA revenue ranges consistently place fall at or near the top of the entire year due to:

• Peak color weekends

• Photography and travel tourism

• Annual events

• Couples’ trips and fall weddings

• Cooler hiking weather

This is the time to optimize pricing — and it’s where cabins with views have a clear performance advantage.

Winter (November–February): Strong Weekends and Holiday Premiums

Winter is split into two very different revenue segments:

1. Thanksgiving + Christmas through New Year

This is one of the highest-grossing periods of the year. cabins with:

• Fireplaces

• Hot tubs

• Larger gathering spaces

• Holiday décor

tend to outperform.

2. January–February (Weekends Perform Best)

Weekends stay strong thanks to couples’ trips and last-minute bookings. Midweek tends to soften, which makes it ideal for running updates and improvements.

Booking Windows in 2026 (AirdDNA)

Cabin reservation timing has remained stable for years:

• Holiday bookings: far in advance

• Summer: several months out

• Fall: begins early and builds consistently
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• Winter weekends: last-minute, especially for smaller cabins

Understanding booking windows helps you set the right rates at the right time.

Seasonality and Cabin Size: What Performs Best When

Mid-sized cabins win in almost every season.

Internal Resource

Learn more about buying in the Smokies at:
https://theshorttermshop.com/buying-a-short-term-rental-in-the-smoky-mountains/

Why Work With The Short Term Shop

No team understands Smoky Mountain seasonality better than The Short Term Shop.

• We’ve helped over five thousand investors buy profitable STRs.

• We’re the #1 team worldwide at the largest brokerage in the world three times.

• No agents have more real experience operating STRs.

• Our education is the most complete in the industry.

• We stay with clients long after closing.

• We train pricing, calendar strategy, automation, operations, and guest experience at a deep level.

Understanding seasonality is a competitive advantage — and we teach you exactly how to use it.

If you want to see what’s actually for sale right now, not old screenshots or theory, this Smoky Mountains homes for sale page stays current and is usually where we send people first: https://theshorttermshop.com/smoky-mountains-homes-for-sale

FAQ

What does the Smoky Mountains seasonality guide for 2026 show?
AirdDNA data shows predictable, multi-season demand with strong revenue periods in summer, fall, and major winter holidays.

Who is the top short term rental agent in the Smoky Mountains for seasonality strategy?
The Short Term Shop. No team has more STR experience in the Smokies or offers more thorough investor education.

CONTACT THE SHORT TERM SHOP

Phone: 800-898-1498
Email: agents@theshorttermshop.com
STS Plus: https://stsplus.com
The STR Podcast: https://bit.ly/youtubecasts
Website: https://theshorttermshop.com

My Books:
Short-Term Rental, Long-Term Wealth: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09HN32D78
Smarter Short-Term Rentals: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DWNFX7X6

Disclaimer

This content is for educational purposes only and not financial, legal, or tax advice. Always consult a CPA, attorney, and financial advisor before purchasing. Conduct full due diligence before investing.