BBQ Festivals in May

The Smoky Mountains don’t just feel like a magical place, they really are a mystical destination. The phrase “old as the hills” rings true when you really dive into the old lore of the mountains. When you come to visit, take this otherworldly tour and investigate for yourself. Here are six of the Smokies’ best kept secrets.
1. Elkmont Trollbridge
Escape to a place that really feels like a glimpse into a mythical land. The Elkmont Trollbridge is a true hidden gem that only locals know about. Hike along the Little River Trail until you reach this spot. Covered in moss and mushrooms, the Trollbridge is perfect for capturing pictures or looking for hidden fantastical creatures.
2. House Of The Fairies
This whimsical spot is only a mile from downtown Gatlinburg yet it feels like you’ve been transported into another realm. Map to this magical place, then go out and explore. Here, you’ll find towering trees and moss covered logs and boulders. Then at the end of the trail you’ll see it...an arched doorway, that looks like it’s almost cut into the side of the hill, sits with a wooden ladder leaning against the frame. Step inside and find a cool spring, filled with water that tinkles like bells.
3. Synchronous Fireflies
The synchronized fireflies that come out every year like clockwork might be more science than magic but when you’re sitting among the trees and they begin to spark in unison, flickering in and out of sight, it feels like something otherworldly. This rare phenomenon is only seen in a few places in the world and The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is one of them.
4. Elkmont Ghost Town
Once a thriving vacation spot for the Knoxville elite, the Elkmont Ghost Town looks like a legend brought back to life. Recently restored, explore inside the homes and hike trails where you will find the remains of homes once occupied by Appalachian locals who would serve, supply and work in the town. This piece of history is frozen in time and feels like stepping back into the past.
There are many magical places in the Smokies and these are only four of them. Don’t stop here, continue to search for more mystical creatures and sprites living in the trees and hollows. To discover more, stay overnight in the mountains in a log cabin. This cabin is even called Magical Moments, which is exactly what you’ll find when you visit the Smoky Mountains.
As far as festivities go, Spring is our most eclectic series, but the best is yet to come: we have not one, but TWO festivals coming to our area in May called "BBQ and Bluegrass" with minimal semantic difference in the titles. The small difference in event names is the only quirk, though, because both the "Bloomin' BBQ and Bluegrass" and Dollywood's "Barbeque and Bluegrass" events are extremely awesome events to attend, worth venturing hundreds of miles for, in fact! The amount of meat and music we get to enjoy this month is staggering and we'd like to invite you to be part of it!
The Bloomin' BBQ and Bluegrass Festival
When: May 18th to May 19th
Where: Sevierville Courthouse
This is the only time of the year where there's a special event around the famous Sevierville Courthouse section of downtown Sevierville. Have you ever been to a courthouse where they had a huge stage erected to play a marathon of live bluegrass music and serve mountains of the best BBQ meat served by award-winning professionals? It's the most fun you can have at the courthouse without being hauled off by the bailiff! There will also be a lot of tables and areas set up for additional family fun and arts and crafts vendors up and down the nearby streets as well. BBQ artists can sign up to compete for the best BBQ at the event and vocalists can sign up for the Mountain Soul Vocal Competition. See more at
Dollywood's Barbeque & Bluegrass
When: May 25th to June 10th
Where: Dollywood, naturally.
You're already familiar with all the awesome rides and attractions Dollywood features on a regular basis, right? Well, now imagine it serving the best BBQ chicken, ribs and pork you can find from late May to almost mid-June with almost round-the-clock performances by the best musicians in Bluegrass today at the best theme park in the South. It's like you'd died and gone to Appalachian Heaven without all the inconvenience of shuffling off the mortal coil. Artists being showcased at Dollywood's Barbeque & Bluegrass include Blue Highway, Flatt Lonesome, Joe Mullins & The Radio Ramblers, Mountain Faith, Fireside Collective, Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver, NewTown, Rhonda Vincent and The Rage, Phil Leadbetter and The All-Stars of Bluegrass and man more!
Both events are extremely easy to get to from practically all of our cabins on our program. Get the best end of Spring blowout with our festival feasts and a cabin from Bear Camp Cabin Rentals! See our cabins at FIND A CABIN