Fall is an incredible time to visit the Great Smoky Mountain area! Offering breathtaking foliage, cooler weather, and a variety of fun events, autumn in Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg is just about perfect. Vacationing at a cabin in the mountains will put you right in the middle of all the beautiful scenery. Here are five ways to make the most of your getaway when you stay at our Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg cabin rentals this fall:
1. Go Leaf Peeping
The Smokies are home to 100 species of native trees, making the autumn foliage in Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg simply spectacular. During peak season, the mountains are bathed in vibrant displays of reds, yellows, and oranges.
While weather patterns change the timing of the foliage each year, the last two weeks of October and the first week of November typically offer stunning fall colors in the lower elevations of the mountains. This is a wonderful time to take a scenic drive through Cades Cove.
If you will be vacationing earlier in the season, you can still see the fall colors in the higher elevations of the mountains. For instance, Clingmans Dome usually offers breathtaking panoramic views of the colors around the last week in September and the beginning of October.
To learn even more about fall foliage in the Smoky Mountains, check out our guide to seeing the fall colors!
2. Visit the Harvest Festival at Dollywood
Every October, Dollywood hosts the National Southern Gospel & Harvest Festival, a month long celebration of fall in the Smokies. Visitors to the theme park will enjoy free concerts from some of the biggest names in Southern gospel music along with demonstrations from visiting artisans and craftsmen. When you stay at one of our Pigeon Forge cabins near Dollywood, you will be minutes away from all of the fun!
3. Kick Back in Your Cabin’s Hot Tub
The comfortably cool fall weather provides the perfect climate for relaxing in a hot tub! Many of our Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg cabin rentals come with hot tubs on the deck, so you can enjoy a soothing soak whenever you please. What could be better than unwinding in the tub as you admire the fantastic foliage in the mountains?
4. Zipline Through the Fall Scenery
One of the best ways to get up close to the majestic fall foliage is with a canopy tour through the mountains. When you stay with Timber Tops, you will get one free adult admission to Adventure Park Zip Lines and Legacy Mountain Zip Lines each night of your stay. Ziplining through the foothills of the Smokies at speeds of up to 40 mph is absolutely exhilarating! To learn more about our free Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge attraction tickets, check out our Luxury Pass page.
5. Celebrate OktOBERfest at Ober Gatlinburg
Who says you need to visit Germany to celebrate Oktoberfest? From late September through the end of October, the Ober Gatlinburg Ski Resort and Amusement Park hosts its very own OktOBERfest. Complete with oompah music, Bavarian folk dancing, authentic German beers, sausages, schnitzel, pretzels, and more, this festival is a ton of fun.
To start planning your fall vacation, check out our complete selection of Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg cabin rentals!
