Blog Archive

Where to See the Fall Colors in the Smoky Mountains

Where are the best places to see the Fall Colors of the Smoky Mountains? Here’s our guide to some of the best ways, places and times to see the fall colors in the Smoky Mountains around Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge.

The leaves start turning first at the highest elevations and work their way down the mountain slopes to the lower lands as the season progresses, all told over about a 7-week period. For a more detailed sequence and to get the latest color reports, see our guide to Fall Colors in Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

Image courtesy of Great Smoky Mountains National Park

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Fall 2020 in the Smoky Mountains

If you’ve never experienced the beauty of the fall colors over the rolling peaks of the Smoky Mountains, then you are in for a one-of-a-kind experience. It will soon be that time of year again when the Smoky Mountains around Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge start to come alive with fall color. A hundred species of trees in Great Smoky Mountains National Park and surrounding area go through their seasonal changes, and with the layered mountains and foothills of the Smokies, it makes for phenomenal scenery.

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The Riverwalk Greenway

Quietly running through the heart of the action in Pigeon Forge is a great paved trail known as Riverwalk Greenway, a hidden gem of a nature walk traversing the town from Patriot Park up to The Island and beyond. With benches, bathrooms and water fountains strategically placed along the way, the Greenway welcomes walkers and runners, baby strollers and bikes, and pets on a leash to use this free trail, open 24 hours each day, and lighted at night.

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The Best Airport for Flying to Gatlinburg

The closest airport to Gatlinburg, TN, is McGhee Tyson, located 12 miles south of Knoxville, just over a 40-mile drive from Gatlinburg, with a few different ways to get there, depending on if you want to hit Pigeon Forge first, and any scenic options you may chose to take on the way in. McGhee Tyson is a friendly little airport, and usually a nice introduction to the friendly people of Tennessee and the Appalachian warmth and culture of the Smoky Mountains.

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Important Updates Related to COVID-19

For Guests Checking-In

We at Gatlinburg Falls Resort / Venture Resorts care about the health and safety of our guests and our staff.  To help you have a safe vacation, we want you to know that we’ve implemented the following changes in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

  1. Virtual Check-in: We are closing our offices and providing a virtual check-in for all guests.  To check-in, visit this page
  1. Additional Cabin Cleaning: Our staff has implemented additional cabin cleaning using chlorine-based disinfectants and are cleaning every surface.  Both our cleaners and housekeeping inspection team will wipe down surfaces.
  1. Updated Cancellation Policy: Guests who have stays booked in March and April can cancel their stay and receive a lodging credit that can be used any time in the next 12 months.

Your health and well-being are our highest priority and we truly appreciate the trust that you place in us.

If you have any questions please contact us at [email protected].

UPDATE – July 10, 2020

Sevier County. including Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge, has declared a mandatory mask-wearing rule from July 10 through August 3, which is a 25-day period. Masks are available for sale at a low price in case you forget yours. For details see this story.

Everywhere in the Smokies is pretty much open now, with many visitors. Many attractions and businesses have already had mask protocols in place – at least with staff wearing masks for visitor safety, and appreciating the return favor. With lots of visitors, things seem to be running pretty smoothly throughout the area.

The Preserve Resort

The Preserve Resort in Wears Valley features well appointed cabins and fantastic amenities. As the highest elevation resort in the Great Smoky Mountains, it’s home to views that must be seen to be believed, and it’s just a short drive from the popular attractions of Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge, as well as Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

View from the Preserve

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