Revisit those perfect memories in your mind: crisp, cool air that is warm with sunlight; beautiful blue skies painted over the array of bright yellow, orange, and red forestry of the mountains; and simple moments swaying in the rocking chair at the cabin. Don’t own any memories like this? Has it just been too long? We can fix that.
While fall seems far away during the hot summer rays, it’s definitely not too soon to start planning your autumn escape to see the fall colors in the Smokies. Create brightly colored memories that will stick out in your mind for years to come as you drive through the mountains, experience incredible events celebrating this beautiful time of year, and do all your usual favorite fall activities in an exciting cabin atmosphere. You are drawn in by the kaleidoscope of colors to a Pigeon Forge, TN Cabin, and now there are so many ways to make this the vacation of a lifetime.
Scenic Drives (and Bike Rides!)
Right after the rocking chairs on the deck and outdoor hot tub, scenic drives and bike rides are the best way to enjoy the fall colors of the smoky mountains in addition to wildlife and the history of the nation’s most visited national park.
Cades Cove
Cades Cove is a must-see in The Great Smoky Mountains National Park. This peaceful rolling valley guarded by surrounding majestic mountains is home to an 11-mile drive with historical restored cabin structures from the original settlers of the 17th century and fantastic wildlife viewing.
Newfound Gap
Also known as US HWY 441, this passageway through the Smokies now serves as the fastest, most scenic route from North Carolina to Tennessee. From Gatlinburg, TN to Cherokee, NC, the drive is a little over 30 miles one way and should take about an hour if you drive straight through. But this drive is well worth the extra time, especially when the theatrical event of autumn colors is on full display. There are picnic areas to rest and eat in between stopping off the overlooks and Clingmans Dome, where you can take in 360-degree views of the Smokies from the highest point in the park and second highest point east of the Mississippi.
Biking Cades Cove in Late Season
After Labor Day is considered “late season” in Cades Cove, but it makes for the best time of year to experience this uber-popular tourist stop. Cades Cove offers budget-friendly hourly bike rentals ($7.50 for adults & $4.50 for children) for those who didn’t bring their own!
Gatlinburg Trail
This short but sweet trail is perfect for families with small children or those bringing pets (one of the two pet-friendly trails) to enjoy the fresh mountain air. Approximately 2 miles one-way, this trail creeps along the Little Pigeon River through lush forestry and alongside historical remains of cabin foundations and chimneys.
Autumn Events 2019
3rd Annual Chalkfest at The Island
October 5, 2019
Transport yourself back to simpler times with sidewalk chalk, music, and good food at the incredibly fun Chalkfest, where artists, both professional and amateur, create and compete along the sidewalks of The Island! Registration is free, so why not get creative? Find out more about the event and how to participate (if you feel so moved to do so), here!
Old Mill Heritage Day
September 28, 2019
Experience what life was like for the original settlers of the Smoky Mountains where the original iron forge in The Old Mill District, for which the city gained its name, once rested! Enjoy art demonstrations, kids’ craft booths, live bluegrass music, and farmers market – for free!
Sugarlands Saturday Nights
Their lineup isn’t out quite yet, but you are in for a fantastically fun fall evening filled with moonshine tastings and cocktail classes, live music, and dancing at the Sugarlands Distillery during their Saturday Nights month-long events.
Rocky Top Chocolate Wine Trail
October 26, 2019
It’s a Halloween event for adults! Visit these 3 Pigeon Forge wineries to sip on one of two free glasses of wine expertly paired with a hand-crafted dessert: Mountain Valley Winery, Hillside Winery, and Sugarlands Cellars Winery.
Fall Fun in the Cabin
Sure, you are here for the breathtaking fall colors in the Smokies, but there are tons of fun (and budget-friendly!) things to do in a Pigeon Forge, TN Cabin. It’s your favorite pastimes – even better!
Fall Football and Grilling Out
Many of our cabins boast big flatscreen TVs in the living room, rec room, and sometimes on the deck! What better way to watch your favorite team play than with burgers hot off the grill while drinking local beers from the growlers in the fresh mountain air and stunning views? Just check when you book to see which cabins offer the channels you want!
Halloween and Thanksgiving in the Smokies
Fall is home to 2 of our favorite holidays, Halloween and Thanksgiving. Celebrate the spookiest day of the year and trek your own “haunted house trail” through the area’s scariest abodes! Visit Chaos Castle in the Hollywood Wax Museum, where you can pretend to be a Ghostbuster and shoot the ghost. Traverse the huge Ripley’s Haunted Adventure for the widest array of terrors with over 10,000 square feet of horrors. Round it off at the Gatlinburg Haunted Mansion where the original family never left and you have to find your way out of each nightmarish room to avoid becoming the next member of the frightening family!
Thanksgiving can feel like a stress when it comes to hosting, but our fully loaded kitchens, cozy cabin bedrooms, and lovely family-centered dining rooms make it less stressful and incredibly fun! Gather the whole family to a large group lodge and choose a cabin with double the appliances to effortlessly cook large feasts. There are also lodges that boast plenty of ways to entertain with large, open living rooms, game-packed rec rooms, and indoor pools to swim year-round!
Fall in the Smokies is a magical time of year. It’s time to start planning your dream fall Pigeon Forge cabin getaway for a family vacation, beautiful autumn wedding, or group retreat today!
