Spring has sprung in the Smokies and now is the time to visit our magical mountain town. We have something for everyone from Easter events and wildflower pilgrimages to award winning barbecue festivals, trout tournaments and top-rated car shows. Of course, we have your family favorites but even some new things to do and places to stay and eat. And don’t forget to check out our other Pigeon Forge travel guides!
Pigeon Forge Spring Travel Guide
Spring has sprung in the Smokies and now is the time to visit our magical mountain town. We have something for everyone from Easter events and wildflower pilgrimages to award winning barbecue festivals, trout tournaments and top-rated car shows. Of course, we have your family favorites but even some new things to do and places to stay and eat. And don’t forget to check out our other Pigeon Forge travel guides!
Spring Break Checklist: To Do
Redneck Comedy Bus Tours
Maybe it’s the mullets, could be the moonshine or maybe these folks just have a genuine knack for making people laugh! Hop on board the camouflage school bus, proudly adorned with bull horns and join Redneck Comedy Bus Tours on a ride through the Smokies.
Redneck Comedy Bus Tours
The Mountain Mile & Tower Shops
Shop, ride, dine & play at the Mountain Mile & Tower Shops in Pigeon Forge. This new development has all of your favorite stores, plus top-notch dining and even on-site rides like the Mountain Monster.
The Mountain Mile & Tower Shops
The Axe House
Axe throwing is a target sport with the objective of getting the most points. Never thrown before? Learn from the expert coaches at The Axe House in Pigeon Forge or Sevierville and compete with your friends to see who is the best at this fast growing sport.
The Axe House
Memorial Day Weekend
Memorial Day is a day of remembrance for those who have given the ultimate sacrifice and have died in military service for our country. We are surrounded by Civil War history in East Tennessee. In the heart of Pigeon Forge, the Old Mill stands as a reminder of the tumultuous past of our area. During the war, the historic gristmill powered several looms which produced cloth to make uniforms for local Union volunteers.
Reach For The Rapids
Memorial Day Weekend kicks off a long, hot summer in Pigeon Forge. The kids are out of school, temperatures are on the rise, and it is the perfect weekend to grab a raft and hit the water. Rafting trips begin on a day-to-day basis in March & April, with a full schedule of trips for most locations beginning in May.
Go RaftingRelax On The River
Make a splash and take advantage of the warm spring weather at Smoky Mountain River Rat. Take the family on a tubing trip and enjoy a relaxing float down the Lower Pigeon River.
River Rat
Drive To A Waterfall
Just as the greenery starts coming back out after the long winter, treat yourself to an easy to reach view of a waterfall. You'd be surprised what you can find without leaving the comfort of your vehicle.
Waterfalls
Wildflower Hikes
Spring is the time to get the whole family outside to enjoy the blossoming flora of the Smoky Mountains. We have picked spring hikes with different options for all different skill levels.
Go Hiking
Fishing Spots
Rivers and mountain streams offer guests a bevy of places to fish in the Smoky Mountains. There are two spots in Gatlinburg that are for children only. Mynatt Park and Herbert Holt Park which also offers a handicap accessible pier are both easy access trout fishing spots to teach your little one how to fish.
Go FishingSpring Car Shows
Spring Break Checklist: To Eat
Chicken Guy!
Ready for a trip to Flavortown? Stop by the all new Chicken Guy! on the parkway in Gatlinburg. Enjoy juicy chicken tenders, delicious house-made sauces, hand crafted sandwiches, and favorites of Guy Fieri, the Boss of Sauce himself.
Chicken Guy!
Junction 35 Spirits
Junction 35 Spirits is Tennessee's first Distillery to offer a full service restaurant. Come enjoy high quality and unique spirits paired with delicious signature dishes that will keep you coming back for more.
Junction 35 Spirits
Rita’s Italian Ice & Frozen Custard
As the weather warms up, cool down with a sweet treat from Rita's Italian Ice. While you vist, stop by for some of Rita’s famous Italian Ice, award-winning Frozen Custard, Gelati, or another signature treat.
Rita's Italian Ice
Easter Sunday: April 17
Easter egg hunts, sunrise services, arts and crafts shows, big family feasts, and more for you to enjoy in the Smokies. [+ more]
Toy Box Mini Golf
Get nostalgic at this toy themed 18 hole mini golf course on Dollywood Lane, and be sure to stop inside at the laser maze and toy store. [+ more]
The Peaceful Side Of The Smokies
Stop by Townsend's newest restaurant & taproom for a little sipping & savoring. [+ more]
A Pirate's Life For Me
Join Blackbeard and Calico Jack for an action-packed ocean adventure. [+ more]
Create A Masterpiece
Get together with a group and celebrate artistry at Board & Brush, where you can create custom wood projects to take home and hang on your wall. [+ more]
A Bunch Of Monkey Business
Remember your trip with a unique photo package featuring some fun, fuzzy creatures. [+ more]
Slingshot Through The Smokies
Rent a Jeep, RZR, or Slingshot when you visit the Smokies. [+ more]
Ready Player One
Experience the country's first live-action game front, fusing technology and physical activity to unleash your inner video game character. [+ more]
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Event Central
mar 4-6
Chuck Wagon Cookoff
apr 22 - jun 5
Dollywood's Flower & Food Festival
apr 29-30
Smoky Mountain Relay
apr 26-30
Spring Wildflower Pilgrimage
A tradition in the national park, the Spring Wildflower Pilgrimage features professionally guided explorations throughout the Great Smoky Mountains. Pilgrims get the opportunity to study the region's rich natural resources, native wildlife, and cultural history. After decades of this annual adventure, nature lovers of all kinds have come together to enjoy the outdoors and help build the national park's database with important information about the local environment and species that make up its habitat. In previous years the pilgrimage has included more than 800 people from more than 32 states and generated over 1,800 important observations for the park.
But the experience is much more than flowers; the 4 day event offers over 150 different programs for all interests, including photography & gardening workshops, bird sketching, salamander foray, nighttime bat walk & owl prowl, medicinal plant & edible mushroom walks, nature journaling, and more.
This event offers a rare opportunity for foresty scholars, average gardeners, botanists, professors, and anthophiles alike to come together and enjoy the outdoors while they also help advance the study and research of wildlife in our national park. [Event Info]
apr 30 - may 1
Smoky Mountain Food Truck Festival
may 30 - sep 5
Mermaids At Ripley's Aquarium
june 6-9
A Mountain Quiltfest
Spring Break Checklist: To See
Lumberjack Adventure Park
Catch the view from the unique and incredible Flying Ox at Paula Deen's Lumberjack Adventure Park. This exciting ride is the world’s first and only cable-to-rail zipline roller coaster. You can even buy combo tickets to bundle all the adventure park activities with the show.
Lumberjack
Scenic Helicopter Tours
Take to the skies for a new perspective on the Smokies with Scenic Helicopter Tours. Pick a tour that fits your trip and budget best and see sights like the French Broad River, Douglas Lake, Pigeon Forge, Gatlinburg & the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
Scenic Helicopter Tours
Smoky Mountain Llama Treks
Enjoy the great outdoors with some unique company: Llamas! Smoky Mountain Llama Treks will take you on a guided tour of the mountains. They offer 3 different hikes with llamas and a petting zoo to enjoy on-site. Each guest walks their own llama on this adventure.
Smoky Mountain Llama TreksLet's Go Camping
RV Resorts
Our Smoky Mountains were made for camping. RV Resorts in the Smoky Mountains offer the outdoor camping experience with all the comforts of resort life.
RV ResortsElkmont
Frontcountry
Situated on the Little River, Elkmont campground has 200 tent & RV campsites with paved driveways, tent pads, fire pits, & picnic tables plus 20 wooded walk-in sites for tent camping. Nine campsites and amenities are wheelchair accessible. Restrooms at Elkmont Campground have toilets, cold running water, and potable water spigots.
CampgroundsThe Ridge Outdoor Resort
Glamping
With something for everyone, The Ridge Outdoor Resort allows guests to enjoy the beauty of the mountains from a luxury tent or glamorous tiny home packed with amenities.
The Ridge