Fall Activities in Pigeon Forge

When the air is crisp, the leaves have transformed into the vivid jewel tones of fall colors, and pumpkins grace street corners and fill store windows, you know fall has officially arrived in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. A fun and scenic time of year in the mountains, it’s no wonder fall is a favorite for many Smoky Mountain vacations! While the area is spectacular year-round, fall is a favorite for guests and locals alike. 

Fall is for Family Fun 
If you’re visiting during the month of October (especially around Halloween), you are in for a treat – no tricks! The town of Pigeon Forge is filled with fun, family-friendly activities for you to enjoy, from Dollywood theme park’s Harvest Festival and the Great Pumpkin Luminights in late October to fall festivals at Anakeesta and OktOBERfest at Ober Gatlinburg.

Favorite outdoor spots like the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Cades Cove, Clingmans Dome, and Wears Valley boast gorgeous fall foliage along hiking trails and great ways to enjoy the weather and views. And with trails along many different elevations, there is something for the whole family. 

Halloween in the Smokies 
Trick or Treating | Pigeon Forge Community Center
Held mid-October each year, the Pigeon Forge Community Center hosts a kid-friendly trick-or-treating event that’s great for little ones. Local businesses set up booths and interactive displays – and of course, pass out candy for the kids. It’s a safe and fun way to have a simple trick-or-treating experience. 

Kyker Farms Fall Fun
Kyker Farms offers all the fall fun, from an expansive corn maze and pumpkin patch to hayrides and bonfires. The farm is family-friendly but turns a little scary on Friday and Saturdays after 8 PM when Kyker Farms After Dark emerges! The creatures of the corn maze arise for a haunted adventure that will make your skin crawl. 

Trick or Treat Kickoff Carnival
Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies is proud to present another great trick-or-treating event! Local Gatlinburg businesses will offer games, characters in costume, inflatable bounce houses and slides, candy, and more at this Kickoff Carnival. Hosted on Halloween night, this event is always a fun option for families!

Halloween at The Island
On the spookiest night of the year, head to Pigeon Forge’s brightest (and only!) sky wheel! The Island at Pigeon Forge is hosting a free hay maze, hay rides, a kid’s circus, and more. There will be candy stations at all of The Island’s stores, a costume contest, face painting, pumpkin carving and more. Did we mention the best part? Kids ride the wheel for free! (Up to age 11, must be in costume, 1 paid adult per 5 children)

So, enjoy some fall spirit and head out to the city for some good old fashioned fun. Dress the kids in costumes, don one of your own, and get ready for another magical night in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee!

Fall Fun for All | Fall Events + Attractions + More 
Shops along the Parkway get in the autumn spirit, filling their windows with fall decorations and offering seasonal foods, drinks, and specials. Enjoy the best of the season on your fall getaway – from gorgeous mountain views to the tastes of the Smokies. Need some ideas? Read on for some of our favorite things to do during the fall season! 

Sip apple pie moonshine at a local distillery or try a seasonal beer at one of the local breweries. 

Spend a day enjoying the views, decorations, music, and seasonal foods at Dollywood’s Harvest Festival. 

Take a scenic drive through East Tennessee, whether it’s Cades Cove, the Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail, Cherohala Skyway, Newfound Gap, or Little River Road. 

Hike to the top of Mt. Leconte for stunning views of the changing leaves. 

Enjoy seasonal sales at the Tanger Outlets in Sevierville. 

Don your fall flannel and watch the lumberjacks do their thing at Paula Deen’s Lumberjack Feud Show and Adventure Park. 

Enjoy the beautiful fall views on a high-flying adventure with a zipline tour. 

Eat all your Southern favorites – with seasonal twists – at The Apple Barn Farmhouse. Apple fritters, apple julep, and fresh apple pie ice cream are all on the menu! 

Fall Family Photo Ops
Looking for the perfect family photo for this year’s holiday card or something special to frame and make a showpiece at home? Fall in the Smokies is the perfect time to get that great shot! A few of our favorite fall photo spots include…

• In front of one of the many beautiful waterfalls in the Great Smoky Mountains 
• At The Old Mill – by the water, in the pavilion, or in front of the grist mill
• At The Island in Pigeon Forge – with tons of great photo spots set up already
• On the deck of your gorgeous cabin rental – with the golden sunset lighting your picture