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5 of the Best Places to Visit This Fall in Pigeon Forge and the Smoky Mountains

Fall Decor & Photo Op at The Island in Pigeon Forge
September 3, 2024

Fall is a beautiful time of year to visit Pigeon Forge and the Smoky Mountains! Everywhere you turn you can find stunning fall foliage, autumn-themed decor, and exciting festivals to celebrate the season. Plus, the weather is perfect for spending time outdoors as you take it all in! Here are some of the best places to visit this fall in Pigeon Forge and the Smoky Mountains where you can experience all that this season has to offer:

1. The Island in Pigeon Forge

One of the best places to visit in the fall in Pigeon Forge is The Island in Pigeon Forge! This entertainment complex has a number of fantastic shopping and dining opportunities as well as unique attractions that offer fun for the whole family. For an amazing view of fall foliage, take a ride on The Great Smoky Mountain Wheel! This attraction lifts you more than 200 feet in the air where you can take in the fall scenery and the beautiful Smoky Mountains in the distance. In fall, The Island comes alive with festive autumn decorations, photo ops, and more! If you’re in town on Halloween, stop by for a fun night of trick-or-treating!

2. Dollywood

carved pumpkin structure at Dollywood's Harvest Festival

A popular place to visit in the fall in Pigeon Forge is Dollywood! This theme park offers fun for all ages year-round with thrilling roller coasters, kid-friendly rides, entertaining shows, delicious food, and more. This time of year, you can attend Dollywood’s Harvest Festival to experience the sights, sounds, and tastes of the fall season! During the day, you can watch live music performances, taste the flavors of fall, and see world-class artisans create beautiful handmade crafts. At night, the theme park comes alive with thousands of illuminated pumpkins in larger-than-life sculptures and artful settings. This is a can’t-miss fall activity in Pigeon Forge!

3. Rowdy Bear’s Smoky Mountain Snowpark

Are you looking for an exciting way to experience fall in Pigeon Forge? Visit Rowdy Bear’s Smoky Mountain Snowpark! This Pigeon Forge attraction features a year-round outdoor tubing hill, so you can experience the thrill of racing down a 500-foot hill with a 70-foot drop no matter the weather! Also at this attraction you can ride the Ski Lift Shootout Coaster and Avalanche Snow Coaster as well as try your hand at Axe Throwing! These activities are all outdoors and provide a fun way to enjoy the crisp autumn air and beautiful fall scenery of the Smokies.

4. Foothills Parkway

Foothills Parkway in fall

If you’re searching for a great place to see the colors of fall in Pigeon Forge, make your way down Wears Valley Road to the Foothills Parkway! Along this scenic drive you’ll be surrounded by stunning fall foliage in hues of red, yellow, and orange as well as spectacular views of the Great Smoky Mountains. There are plenty of pull-offs where you can stop and get out of your car to breathe in the fresh air and admire the natural beauty of fall in the Smokies. Pack a picnic lunch to eat at one of the picnic areas along the way while enjoying the scenery!

5. Cades Cove

Less than 30 miles from the heart of Pigeon Forge is Cades Cove, one of the most popular destinations in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. This is one of the best places to visit in fall if you want to be surrounded by nature and fall foliage! Drive along the 11-mile Cades Cove Loop Road to enjoy breathtaking views of the valley and mountains dotted with fall colors. As you drive through the forest, you’ll have fall foliage on all sides, immersing you in the beauty of the season. Park at one of the trailheads and go for a hike through the woods for an even more up-close fall experience in the Smokies!

Where to Stay This Fall in Pigeon Forge TN

If you want to make the most of your vacation this fall in Pigeon Forge, stay at a cabin that’s surrounded by the sights and sounds of nature! Our Pigeon Forge cabins are nestled in peaceful wooded settings that become brilliant displays of fall colors this season. Take a look at our selection of Pigeon Forge cabins today to find the perfect place to stay for your next vacation!