Pigeon ForgeFall Travel Guide
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 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!
When Do Fall Colors Peak?
Fall colors will start to develop above 4,000 feet around early October. The peak of the fall colors on mid & lower elevations begins in mid-October and early November. If you are looking for fall things to do in Pigeon Forge, this is the most spectacular display of fall foliage in the park, with the turning of such trees as the sugar maple, scarlet oak, sweetgum, red maple, and the hickories.
Essential Fall ColorThe Best Ways To See Foliage
Trees Of Many Colors
Created to showcase the seasonal beauty of the Great Smoky Mountains, Tennessee Mountain Tours' Trees Of Many Colors fall excursion brings visitors to a secret destination for premium autumn leaf-peeping. Don't worry about wading through onlookers; escape the hustle and bustle of touristy areas and seize the chance to take in some spectacular fall views.
Book Tour →
Andrew's Bald
Hike Easier than most, this trail winds through a spruce-fir forest & opens to acres of grassy meadows and panoramic views. It's long enough to escape the crowds but short enough for the whole family to enjoy.
More Fall Hikes →2.
Newfound Gap
Drive From Gatlinburg to Cherokee, this 33 mile road climbs over 3,000 vertical feet through the center of the National Park. Pullouts along the way reveal expansive scenic views.
More Fall Drives →
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Morton's Overlook
Overlook While you're on the open road, stop right off Newfound Gap Road and catch the sweeping views of fall scenery among Tennessee & North Carolina.
More Scenic Overlooks →A View To Remember
Sit back and take in the splendor of fall in the Smoky Mountains from your private cabin in Smokies. Quiet and serene, there is nothing better than watching the sun glimmer off of the reds, oranges and yellows of the fall foliage.
Cabins With Mountain Views →
Fall Decor
Businesses in Pigeon Forge take decorating for fall pretty seriously. Beginning in September, many locations in the Smokies & along the parkway decorate their properties with the most amazing and creative fall displays. This tradition brings out friendly competition among businesses but also gives guests photo opportunities at every turn. Hop on the Pigeon Forge trolley and take a trip down the parkway to see the array of pumpkins, mums, and more!
Taste Of Autumn
Sept 14
An evening filled with delicious dishes from area restaurants and top-notch entertainment. More →
Fall Rod Run
Sept 13 - 15
Huge swap meet with hundreds of show cars, including an $8000 cash giveaway. More →
Featured Event
Spinning Wrenches
Fall Rod Run
September 13-15
Meet, greet, and learn from the best at the biggest and oldest car show in Pigeon Forge, the Fall Rod Run. Stacey David, car connoisseur and host of the popular TV series Gearz and Trucks!, will be showcasing his V8 Interceptor build and talking tune-ups with fellow motorheads. Includes a huge swap meet with hundreds of show cars, plus a $8000 cash giveaway.Event Info →
Family Festivities
Trick
Or
Treat
A Kid Friendly Halloween
Whether you dress up or not, everyone can enjoy the thrills and chills of Halloween in the Smokies. Costume contests, candy and even carnival shenanigans entertain and delight families this Halloween. Goblins, ghosts, & ghouls are welcome to a spooky day of fun for all.
Kid Friendly Halloween EventsHarvest Moon Pumpkin Patch
Harvest Moon Pumpkin Patch
Choose from a variety of 20 kinds of pumpkins and gourds in the pick-your-own pumpkin patch. Take a hay ride pulled by a 1948 tractor to a 6 acre cornfield maze. Harvest Moon also includes a kid's zipline, bounce houses, and a petting zoo.
Cades Cove Hay Ride
Take a good old-fashioned hay ride surrounded by preserved 19th and early 20th century farming communities in scenic Cades Cove.
Country Candy Kitchen
Grab a delicious caramel apple at this family-owned homemade candy shop located conveniently on the parkway (traffic light #7).
Featured Event
Cast A Line
Smoky Mountain Trout Tournament
October 6-7
The crystal clear water flowing in the rivers and streams in the Smoky Mountains feed the west prong of the Little Pigeon River & its tributaries. This freshwater habitat is home many species of water life including the much sought after rainbow trout. Fun for all ages, the Smoky Mountain Trout Tournament is a great event for any outdoorsman.
Smoky Mountain Trout Tournament
Oct 6-7
Over 5,000 trout in over 20 miles of streams, with over $10,000 in cash prizes. More →
Pumpkin Patch Express
Oct 5-28
Join the Peanuts gang for a ride on the rails and family fall fun. More →
Thanksgiving Fireworks
Nov 22
Kick off the holiday season with this spectacular light show at the Titanic Museum. More →
Seasonal Spirits
Smith Creek Moonshine
Spice up your season with some specially flavored moonshine. Smith Creek’s cinnamon flavored moonshine has a great kick, and their apple pie flavor will have you reminiscing about Grandma’s old recipe. More →
Apple Barn Winery
Made with apples grown on the property, The Apple Barn's white wine collection will remind you of the first bite into a freshly picked, crisp apple. Apple wines infused with raspberry, strawberry, & peach add a twist to sweeten up your visit. More →
Apple Spice Cocktail
- 1 oz. Apple Pie Moonshine
- 1 oz. Cinnamon Moonshine or Whiskey
- 3 oz. Ginger Ale
Mix well and pour over ice. Garnish with a fresh apple slice and cinnamon stick.
Gatlinburg Chili Cookoff
Nov 7
Offering mouthwatering recipes of homemade chili from mild and to wild & adventurous. More →
Smoky Mountain Harvest Festival
Sept 7 - Nov 25
A 12 week celebration of the fall season, kicking off with the annual chili cookoff. More →
Gatlinburg Craftsmen’s Fair
Oct 4 - Oct 21
One of the top 20 events in the Southern US by the Southeast Tourism Society. More →
Point Of Interest
Crafts Community
Tucked away in Smoky Mountains is the Great Smoky Arts & Crafts Community. This hidden gem is home is the largest independent organization of artisans in the United States. The community is home to potters, carvers, leather smiths, weavers, watercolor artists, candle makers, silversmiths and dozens of other artisans. Talk with artists and watch live demonstrations.
Looking For Ghosts?
If you're up for a truly spooky experience, try one of these special excursions after dark.
- Appalachian GhostWalks: Enjoy several family friendly, lantern-led ghost adventure tours throughout the Smokies.
- Ghost & Haunt Tours Of Gatlinburg: Take a journey into the past and explore the supernatural with the largest ghost tour in the area.
- Ghost Walk Of Gatlinburg: This one-hour nighttime tour of Gatlinburg is a storytelling experience that involves EMF (ghost detectors).
- Kyker Farms After Dark: Two thrilling nighttime adventures for those who dare! Choose from an interactive paintball ride or a truly frightening trail through the woods.
- Newport Nightmares: Tennessee's premier home haunt since 2010, this immersive walkthrough only takes about 2 minutes - but you might be running.
If you're interested in things to do in Pigeon Forge in October, we've got some spooky activities in the Smoky Mountains for you to try. But beware: these spooktacular adventures are not for the faint of heart. These attractions are open year round, but this is our favorite time to enjoy them.
Outbreak: Dread The Undead
Spooky Scale: 6/10
Explore the remains of a destroyed laboratory where the DNA-altering experiments of biotechnology experts at the once notorious Chemacorp have gone terribly wrong. With the building on lockdown, you must fight your way through an army of the undead and avoid infection to find the exit.
Ripley's Haunted Adventure
Spooky Scale: 7.5/10
Hold on tight and get ready for some classic jump scares as you make your way through this eerie estate in the middle of downtown Gatlinburg. The mansion is littered with all kinds of creepy houseguests waiting to welcome you, so try not to be alarmed at the sound of your own scream.
The Captured: A Live Escape Experience
Spooky Scale: 9/10
Visit the base of the Gatlinburg Space Needle to take part in this thrilling interactive experience. Not your typical escape room, this game will have you locked away with the Crafts, a wealthy Appalachian family who has invited you to dinner, where they intend to make you the main course.
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 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!