3 Things to Do in Pigeon Forge in the Fall

One of the most popular times of the year to visit Pigeon Forge is the fall season, and for good reason! The Smokies are blanketed in gorgeous reds, yellows, and oranges, and the area is overflowing with fun fall activities for all ages. When you plan your fall getaway to Pigeon Forge, we want to help you decide on the best things to do while you’re in town! Take a look at these top 3 things to do in Pigeon Forge in the fall:

1. Visit Dolly Parton’s Stampede

Our Pigeon Forge show is a fun activity all throughout our season, but there’s something special about visiting Dolly Parton’s Stampede in the fall. Arrive early to enjoy the Horse Walk, when visitors can meet our four-legged stars of the show in their stalls before they perform. After taking your seats inside our arena, you’ll be served a delicious four-course feast that will satisfy all your country cravings! It’s the perfect comfort meal to keep you warm and cozy on the chilly fall evenings. The menu includes our creamy vegetable soup, a hot homemade biscuit, a tender whole rotisserie chicken, a hickory smoked barbecued pork loin, buttery corn on the cob, an herb-basted potato, a hot flaky apple turnover, and unlimited Coca-Cola®, tea, or coffee. While you dine, you’ll witness a high-spirited adventure with thrilling horse riding stunts, aerial performances, stunning musical productions, spectacular special effects, and more. Before you leave, be sure to stop by our gift shop to purchase our famous soup mix to take back home with you or the perfect fall vacation souvenir. Fall is also your last chance to see our regular season show — we kick off November with our incredible Christmas show!

2. Take in the Fall Foliage

One of the reasons millions of visitors head to Pigeon Forge during autumn is to see the beautiful fall foliage in the mountains. The leaves transform from deep greens to vibrant shades of red, yellow, and orange. Of course, one of the best places to go to view the foliage is the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. We recommend going for a hike to be surrounded by all the amazing leaf colors. Some popular hikes during the fall are Alum Cave, Andrews Bald, and Mount LeConte. Fall colors generally start to show in late September in the higher elevations and last through early November, with peak season occurring around the end of October. Be sure to bring a camera so you can capture these beautiful sights!

3. Enjoy Dollywood’s Harvest Festival

The town of Pigeon Forge and nearby cities are overflowing with special fall festivals and events. One you definitely don’t want to miss is Dollywood’s Harvest Festival! This festival is one of the most popular things to do in Pigeon Forge in the fall. The theme park comes alive with beautiful fall colors, delicious fall treats, and incredible fall decorations. Not only can you view the fall foliage from rides like the Dollywood Express and Drop Line, but you’ll be able to see impressive fall displays, from a pumpkin tree to a pumpkin spider! The festival also features the award-winning Great Pumpkin LumiNights, which lights up the park at night with thousands of carved pumpkins and larger-than-life pumpkin icons. It’s an event unlike any other in town.

More Things to Do in Pigeon Forge

These are some of our favorite things to do in Pigeon Forge in the fall, but they’re not the only fun activities you can experience in Pigeon Forge! To learn more, take a look at these things to do in Pigeon Forge near our show.