Spring has sprung in the Smokies and now is the time to visit our magical mountain town. Come stay and play with us this spring season. 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. Come stay and play with us this spring season. 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
Lazier Rivers
Beat the heat and save some money on your vacation by booking a hotel with a water park. A hotel with a water park combines the comfort you want, with all of the entertainment they will need. Stress less about planning the perfect vacation, and enjoy your time floating down the lazy river.
Water Park Hotels
Spring 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 that are perfect for the entire family. Waterfalls, flowers & adventure await.
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
Smokies Cuban Cafe
Looking to picnic in the National Park? Make Smokies Cuban Cafe your go-to stop for delicious and fresh traditional Cuban foods. Stop by to try something new! They have dine-in, take out and catering available.
Smokies Cuban Cafe
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 IceEvent Central
march 26-28
Chuck Wagon Cookoff
April 3-4
Smoky Mountain Trout Tournament
april 23 - june 7
Dollywood's Flower & Food Festival
april 23
Running With The Bears 5k
april 21-24
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 nearly 70 years 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. Last year's pilgrimage - which included more than 800 people from more than 32 states - 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]
April 30 - May 1
Smoky Mountain Food Truck Festival
May 5-8
A Mountain Quiltfest
may 31- sept. 6
Mermaids At Ripley's Aquarium
Spring Break Checklist: To See
Anakeesta
A mountain of adventure awaits at Anakeesta in Gatlinburg. Enjoy a chondola, chairlift or ridge rambler ride up to the top of the park. Then, have a blast on the TreeTop Skywalk, Rail Runner, Dueling Ziplines and more while you visit, and don't miss the 360 degree views from the brand new AnaVista Tower.
Anakeesta
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.
CampgroundsElkmont
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.
The 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