Smoky Mountain Activities: Cades Cove Guided Hayrides

It’s officially the season of hot apple cider, warm blankets, and pumpkin patches. It’s also the season for fall festivals, and the Smoky Mountain area is full of them!

Here are three festivals you can enjoy while on your Smoky Mountain vacation.

1. Dollywood Harvest Festival

If you love Dollywood and the fall season then you won’t want to miss this event! From early September to late October this annual celebration marks the best weather and some beautiful fall foliage in the Smokies. Stay late into the evening to see beautifully carved pumpkins, lit up and on display. During the day you’ll enjoy fall themed food, and colorful leaves all throughout the park.

2. Gatlinburg Craftsmen’s Fair

In early to mid October the Gatlinburg Craftsmen’s Fair heads into full swing. Artisans from across the country gather to peddle their wares while musicians serenade the crowds. You’ll see everything from woodworking and pottery to handcrafted jewelry and leatherworkings. If you have an appreciation for handmade goods then this event is for you.

3. Wears Valley Fall Festival

The Wears Valley Fall Festival takes place in mid October and is a favorite event for locals. Come experience the hundreds of vendors, melodic live music, and incredible Southern cuisine. If you’re interested in a true rustic, Appalachian festival with plenty to do and see for the whole family, then this one is for you.

No matter the festival you choose you’ll need a place to stay. Choose from one of our many options at Bear Camp Cabin Rentals today!

One of the most peaceful activities of fall is taking a family hay ride. At Cades Cove Riding Stables you get the opportunity to take in all the beauty of the Smokies at the same time. Hayride Trailers carry you on a nostalgic ride through Cades Cove Loop Road surrounded by the preserved 19th and early 20th century farming community. You will ride in a hay-filled trailer and tour some of the most scenic areas in the park. Cool mountain breezes and lush forests surround you as you roll along to the peaceful sounds of the birds, with miles of serene vistas in all directions. Often seen on these fully narrated adventures is the wildlife which inhabits Cades Cove such as white-tailed deer, black bears, raccoons, turkeys, woodchucks, and other animals. This is a great family opportunity to view what plants and wildlife the Smoky Mountains have to offer.