Pigeon Forge / Gatlinburg KOA Holiday Blog
Stay Longer and Save this Fall! Stay 5 Nights Get 15% Off
Whether you’re exploring the local area or hanging out at the campground, KOA Holidays are an ideal place to relax and play. There’s plenty to do, with amenities and services to make your stay memorable. Plus, you’ll enjoy the outdoor experience with upgraded RV Sites with KOA Patio® and Deluxe Cabins with full baths for camping in comfort. Bring your family, bring your friends, or bring the whole group – there’s plenty of ways to stay and explore.
Whether you’re exploring the local area or hanging out at the campground, KOA Holidays are an ideal place to relax and play. There’s plenty to do, with amenities and services to make your stay memorable. Plus, you’ll enjoy the outdoor experience with upgraded RV Sites with KOA Patio® and Deluxe Cabins with full baths for camping in comfort. Bring your family, bring your friends, or bring the whole group – there’s plenty of ways to stay and explore.
Directions from I-40: Take exit 407 and go south on Highway 66/Winfield Dunn Parkway for 8.4 miles.Turn left on 411 north/Dolly Parton Parkway.Continue on Dolly Parton Parkway and turn right on 449/Veterans Blvd.Go 5.8 miles and KOA is on the right.
Directions from Cherokee, North Carolina: Take US 441 North through the Great Smoky Mountains National Park for 31 miles. Continue straight through Gatlinburg for 5 miles. Once in Pigeon Forge, turn right at traffic light #8 onto Dollywood Lane, go through the next traffic light and KOA will be on the left.
In Pigeon Forge: Turn east off US 441 at traffic light #8 onto Dollywood Lane, go through the next traffic light and KOA will be on the left.
GPS: N35.786321. W83.550096
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When the air turns crisp and the mountains begin to glow with vibrant shades of red, orange, and gold, there’s no better time to visit the Smokies. Fall is already making its appearance in the higher elevations around Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg, with the first hints of autumn color beginning to emerge across the mountains.
With scenic drives, hiking trails, mountain attractions, and plenty of fall fun in town, autumn is one of the most beautiful—and popular—times to visit the area. Make Pigeon Forge / Gatlinburg KOA Holiday your home base and enjoy an unforgettable fall getaway surrounded by the beauty of the Great Smoky Mountains.
Fall is already beginning to show its colors in the Smokies, with the first hints of red, orange, and gold appearing at higher elevations. Because of the dramatic elevation changes throughout Great Smoky Mountains National Park, the leaves don’t all change at once. Color gradually moves from the mountain peaks down into the valleys, creating weeks of beautiful scenery.
Peak fall color in the Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg area typically arrives from mid-October into early November. But you don’t have to wait for peak foliage to enjoy the season. As more leaves begin to change, scenic drives, mountain overlooks, and hiking trails become increasingly colorful.
If you’re hoping to experience the Smokies dressed in their fall best, now is the perfect time to start planning your getaway. Fall weekends can be especially popular, so book your campsite or cabin early.
One of the best things about fall in the Smokies is that you don’t have to go far to enjoy incredible scenery. Whether you’re looking for an easy scenic drive or an outdoor adventure, there are plenty of ways to experience the changing leaves.
Newfound Gap Road
Travel from Gatlinburg toward Cherokee, North Carolina, along Newfound Gap Road for spectacular mountain scenery. The road climbs through several elevations, making it possible to see different stages of fall color along the way. Stop at scenic overlooks along the route, including Newfound Gap, and take in the sweeping views across the Smokies.
Clingmans Dome
For some of the most impressive views in the Smokies, make your way to Clingmans Dome. At 6,643 feet, it’s the highest point in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The short but steep walk to the observation tower rewards visitors with panoramic views of mountains stretching for miles—especially beautiful when covered in fall color.
Cades Cove
Take a scenic drive through Cades Cove and experience one of the most popular areas of Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The 11-mile loop winds through a beautiful mountain valley surrounded by colorful forests, open meadows, historic structures, and mountain views. Keep an eye out for wildlife along the way, including deer and black bears.
Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail
Located near Gatlinburg, this scenic one-way loop is a wonderful way to experience fall at a slower pace. The road winds through forests and past mountain streams, historic cabins, and waterfalls. Pull over at one of the many stops to stretch your legs and take in the autumn scenery.
Scenic Mountain Attractions
You can also take your leaf peeping to new heights at attractions throughout Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg. Ride a chairlift, gondola, or mountain coaster, or simply find a scenic overlook and enjoy the changing landscape from above.
Fall in the Smokies is about more than beautiful leaves. Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg come alive with seasonal events, entertainment, attractions, shopping, and family-friendly activities.
During your fall getaway, you can:
With so much happening throughout the area, you can fill your getaway with outdoor adventures during the day and plenty of entertainment after the sun goes down.
After a day of chasing fall colors, there’s nothing better than returning to a comfortable campsite or cabin. Pigeon Forge / Gatlinburg KOA Holiday puts you close to some of the area’s most popular attractions while giving you a relaxing place to unwind.
Located just minutes from the action, the campground is approximately 2 miles from The Island in Pigeon Forge and 2.3 miles from Dollywood. It’s also conveniently located next to Patriot Park and the Pigeon Forge Transit Center, making it easy to explore the area.
Choose from comfortable camping accommodations and enjoy the convenience of having so much of Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg right nearby.
From the first leaves changing at higher elevations to the brilliant colors that eventually fill the valleys, fall is a spectacular time to experience the Smokies. Whether your perfect autumn day involves a scenic drive, a hike through colorful forests, an afternoon exploring Pigeon Forge, or simply relaxing around the campfire, there’s no shortage of ways to enjoy the season.
Don’t wait for peak color to start planning. Book your fall getaway at Pigeon Forge / Gatlinburg KOA Holiday and experience the Smokies as they transform into a breathtaking display of autumn color.
That doesn't mean this area has to always be empty. When you start reviewing camping options, your history will display here to help compare sites and find the best stay. You will be able to share your stay information with friends or family and save it for a later time if you have a KOA Account.
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