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Travel Guide

Fall

In The Smoky Mountains

The fall season is one of the best times to be in the Smoky Mountains. Whether it’s fall events, pumpkin picking, or leaf peeping, there are so many fall things to do in Pigeon Forge. There is no better way to experience the splendor of the season than with a Smoky Mountain getaway. We bring together Pigeon Forge fall events, the best places to see fall colors, traditional fall things to do, & more. And don't forget to check out our other amazing Pigeon Forge travel guides!

Fall Features

Pigeon Forge Landing RV Resort

Does it get much better than camping with Mount LeConte in the background? Pigeon Forge Landing RV Resort has the newest accommodations and amenities set along a natural lazy river in the best location in the mountains. Choose a tent site or bring your RV.

Pigeon Forge Landing

Scenic Helicopter Tours

Since 1972 the iconic Scenic Helicopter Tours has guided visitors high above the skies to experience the best sights of the Smokies. Be sure to book a tour to see the best of fall colors.

Scenic Helicopter Tours

Fall Festivals

One of the best parts about this time of year is the plethora of autumn activities being celebrated in so many different ways. Young adults may enjoy Gatlinburg's Oktoberfest, while younger children will love picking pumpkins at Kyker Farms. Stop by a bluegrass festival or peruse handmade goods at a craft fair.

Fall Festivals

September

Butter Pecan Ice Cream

A Taste Of Autumn

Voted best new business for 2025, Moonshine Mountain Cookies & Ice Cream offers classic fall flavors like butter pecan ice cream to get you in the mood for that crispy autumn air.

Ice Cream

Fall Treats

As September arrives, anticipation builds for the delicious fall treats. These seasonal flavors bring a cozy and festive touch to the crisp autumn days, delighting taste buds and signaling the start of fall.

Fall Treats

Stay Somewhere Magical

Vacation into your favorite fantasy world with a stay at one of the delightful little cottages in The Forgotten Forest. All of their properties have a different theme, and there's plenty to choose from.

The Forgotten Forest

Walk On The Wildside

Discover the thrill of the all new WildSide, featuring exhilarating mountain biking trails & guided UTV tours. Immerse yourself in the vibrant autumn landscapes while enjoying an adventurous day out, perfect for both adrenaline seekers and nature enthusiasts.

Wildside
A Bountiful Harvest: Click for details.

A Bountiful Harvest

Sep 14 through Oct 31, 2026

Dollywood's Harvest Festival begins in early September. Tag @pigeonforgetn in your best Dollywood Instagram photos to share the bounty with us.

Event Info

September Events

Vehicle Free Days at Cades Cove: Click for details.

Vehicle Free Days at Cades Cove

Wednesdays thru Sep 30, 2026

Last chance to enjoy the beauty of Cades Cove without the hassle of four-wheeled vehicles, and one of the best times of year to do so.

Event Info
Fall Rod Run: Click for details.

Fall Rod Run

Sep 17 through 19, 2026

The area's largest and most beloved automotive event kicks off mid-September at the LeConte Center. This spectacular 3 day event is family-friendly & offers free spectator parking.

Event Info
Bear-Varian Fall Festival: Click for details.

Bear-Varian Fall Festival

Aug 28 through Nov 1, 2026

Each village at Anakeesta is transformed into a magical realm that will leave you spellbound during their annual fall festival.

Event Info
Dumplin Valley Bluegrass Festival: Click for details.

Dumplin Valley Bluegrass Festival

Sep 17 through 19, 2026

Bring your own lawn chair and set up daily from noon to 11 pm for some fantastic live music at this year's Dumplin Valley Bluegrass Festival.

Event Info
Chalkfest at The Island: Click for details.

Chalkfest at The Island

Sat, Sep 26, 2026

Sevier County's one and only chalk festival is back for its eighth year at The Island. The artist theme for 2024 is Visions Of Space.

Event Info
An Evening With The Oak Ridge Boys: Click for details.

An Evening With The Oak Ridge Boys

Fri, Sep 25, 2026

Grab tickets to see the iconic Oak Ridge Boys live at Country Tonite Theatre to enjoy one of the most distinctive sounds in music.

Event Info
National Quartet Convention: Click for details.

National Quartet Convention

Sep 27 through Oct 3, 2026

Join 40,000+ people from all over the country at Gospel music's largest gathering of the year: the National Quartet Convention.

Event Info
Townsend Fall Heritage Festival: Click for details.

Townsend Fall Heritage Festival

Sep 25 through 26, 2026

Stop by the Townsend Visitors Center for a celebration of mountain heritage, Appalachian skills, arts and crafts, tasty food and bluegrass music.

Event Info

October

Fall Photos

On your family trip this fall, you're going to want to make the memories last forever with some great fall photos to frame. Check out these top spots for fall photos in the Smokies.

Fall Photos

Trick Or Treat

Ride to the top of the Gatlinburg Space Needle for an unparalleled view of the stunning fall colors blanketing the Smoky Mountains. From this towering vantage point, you can take in the vibrant tapestry of the beauty of autumn in Gatlinburg.

Space Needle

Fall Hikes

There is no better time to venture out into the Great Smoky Mountains National Park than the peak of fall colors in mid-October. Check out our top recommendations for fall hikes to enjoy.

Fall Hikes

Gatlinburg Space Needle

Ride to the top of the Gatlinburg Space Needle for an unparalleled view of the stunning fall colors blanketing the Smoky Mountains. From this towering vantage point, you can take in the vibrant tapestry of the beauty of autumn in Gatlinburg.

Space Needle
The Spooky Side: Click for details.

The Spooky Side

Looking for a little more thrill with your Halloween fun? Check out our favorite October attractions during the spooky season.

Spooky Stuff

October Events

Oktoberfest At Ober Mountain: Click for details.

Oktoberfest At Ober Mountain

Oct 1 through Nov 1, 2026

Celebrate the change of season at the classic fall festival at Ober Mountain, featuring music, movies, food, and outstanding autumn scenery.

Event Info
Rotary Club Crafts Festival: Click for details.

Rotary Club Crafts Festival

Sep 25 through Oct 24, 2026

Visit Patriot Park to peruse handmade items made by some of the area's most talented artisans. Open daily from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM.

Event Info
Redneck Comedy Bus Ghost Tour: Click for details.

Redneck Comedy Bus Ghost Tour

Sep 10 - Oct 31, 2026

New for 2026: Hop on board for the goofiest ghost tour in town on Thursdays, Fridays & Saturdays starting September 10 through Halloween.

Event Info
History & Haunts in Downtown Sevierville: Click for details.

History & Haunts in Downtown Sevierville

Thu, Oct 22, 2026

Enjoy a family-friendly night of frights and fun in downtown Sevierville with walking tours, fireworks, and even a Halloween themed dance party.

Event Info
Gatlinburg Craftsmen's Fair: Click for details.

Gatlinburg Craftsmen's Fair

Oct 8 through 28, 2026

A premier holiday shopping destination, the Gatlinburg Craftsmen's Fair features local artisans, live music, and unique goods.

Event Info
Fall At Kyker Farms: Click for details.

Fall At Kyker Farms

Weekends In October

Head over to Kyker Farms this October for corn mazes, hayrides, a petting zoo, bonfires, pumpkin patch and more family fun.

Event Info
Coasts & Goblins: Click for details.

Coasts & Goblins

September & October 2026

Stop by Rocky Top Mountain Coaster most nights in October for a special, spooky experience. The ride is made even more thrilling with live actors.

Event Info
Wears Valley Fall Fest: Click for details.

Wears Valley Fall Fest

Oct 16 through 18, 2026

Come together & bring the family to this year's Wears Valley Fall Fest, celebrated with crafters, entertainers & activities among the beautiful fall colors of the Smokies.

Event Info

November

Turkey

Thanksgiving

Thursday, November 26, 2026

Gather 'round and celebrate friends and family this year at Thanksgiving restaurants in the Smoky Mountains, and check out the top things to do during your stay this holiday season.

Thanksgiving Dining

Pink Jeep Tours

See the very best of the Smokies in all of the mountains' fall splendor with Pink Jeep Tours. They offer several different tour options to help you escape the hustle and bustle for premium autumn leaf-peeping and photo ops.

Pink Jeep Tours

Winterfest

Nov 6, 2026 - Feb 15, 2027

The Winterfest lights get switched on in early November, and there's plenty of holiday festivities to take part in throughout the month. Check out the event schedule so you don't miss any of the holiday cheer.

Winterfest

Scenic Chairlifts

Savor the last of the gorgeous fall colors in the Smoky Mountains with a view on one of our delightful scenic chairlifts. The best part is the fun that awaits you at the top!

Chairlifts
Flavors Of Fall: Click for details.

Flavors Of Fall

Sample some of your favorite fall flavors this year at our favorite Tennessee moonshine & cider locations in Pigeon Forge, Gatlinburg & Sevierville.

Moonshine & Cider

November Events & More

Townsend Grains & Grits Festival: Click for details.

Townsend Grains & Grits Festival

Sat, Nov 7, 2026

The annual Townsend Grains & Grits Festival is a festival of southern spirits and gourmet grub.

Event Info
Cades Cove Loop Lope: Click for details.

Cades Cove Loop Lope

Sun, Nov 8, 2026

The only organized foot race held inside Great Smoky Mountains National Park offers two course options with all proceeds benefitting park projects.

Event Info
Gatlinburg Chili Cookoff: Click for details.

Gatlinburg Chili Cookoff

Thu, Nov 12, 2026

Winterfest wouldn't be the famous event that it is without the annual Gatlinburg Chili Cookoff presented by Bush's Beans.

Event Info
Paradise Market at Camp Margaritaville: Click for details.

Paradise Market at Camp Margaritaville

Sat, Nov 21, 2026

New for 2026, the last event for Camp Margaritaville's Paradise market happens in late November.

Event Info
Big Rock Dude Ranch: Click for details.

Big Rock Dude Ranch

A great way to experience fall colors, horseback riding at Big Rock Dude Ranch is a thrilling activity for all ages. There's plenty of things to do: gem mining, a petting zoo, a fishing pond and more.

Big Rock Dude Ranch
Rocky Top Wine Trail: Click for details.

Rocky Top Wine Trail

With five different wineries and countless flavor selections, the Rocky Top Wine Trail is an essential to-do. Your passport allows you to stop by each of the wineries for free tastings, unique activites and snacks.

Wine Trail
Slick City Action Park: Click for details.

Slick City Action Park

Formerly known as TopJump Trampoline & Extreme Arena, Slick City Action Park is the newest family-friendly indoor attraction coming to the Pigeon Forge parkway.

Slick City
Scenic Drives: Click for details.

Scenic Drives

Ready to see the best of the Great Smoky Mountains? Check out our list of the top scenic drives in and around the national park. These treks are one of the best ways to see fall colors in the area.

Scenic Drives

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