Explore the Smoky Mountains: Bear Camp's Top 8 Attractions Await
There’s nothing quite like a cozy cabin getaway in November. The air is crisp, the trees are bursting with color, and the Smoky Mountains make the perfect backdrop for a relaxing retreat. Whether you’re planning a romantic weekend or a quiet escape with friends, here’s how to make the most of your cozy cabin stay this fall.
1. Settle In and Get Cozy
Start by creating that classic cabin atmosphere. Light a fire in the fireplace, curl up with a blanket, and enjoy a good book or conversation by the glow. Make use of the cabin’s amenities, play a round of pool or board games, watch a movie on the big screen, or soak in the private hot tub while taking in the cool autumn air. With a fully equipped kitchen and outdoor grill, you can cook up a hearty dinner and enjoy your meal on the deck surrounded by the beauty of fall.
2. Explore the Great Outdoors
When you’re ready to venture outside, take advantage of the season’s stunning scenery. Drive along scenic routes like Cades Cove Loop Road or the Blue Ridge Parkway for breathtaking views of fall foliage. Go for a hike in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, just start early to avoid crowds. You can also visit a local pumpkin patch, explore Gatlinburg’s charming downtown, or stop by the Smoky Mountain Harvest Festival for crafts and seasonal fun.
3. Plan Ahead for a Perfect Trip
November is a busy month in the Smokies, so book your cabin and activities early. For a quieter experience, try visiting midweek instead of the weekend. And don’t forget to plan your meals and stock up on groceries before you arrive so you can focus on relaxing and enjoying your autumn escape.
If you're ready to take the plunge or are just interested in where you should stay this fall click here for the best autumn cabins around.
Nestled in the lush green valleys and rolling peaks of the Great Smoky Mountains lies an adventure wonderland waiting to be explored.
From thrilling amusement parks to charming mountain towns brimming with culture, Bear Camp is your gateway to experiencing the best the Smokies have to offer.
Staying at Bear Camp Cabins gives you exclusive access to discounts and freebies at some of the most popular Smoky Mountains attractions. From world-famous dinner shows to exciting family fun centers, Bear Camp guests can save big on admission to these eight must-see stops:
1. Alcatraz East Crime Museum
Investigate notorious crimes, see authentic artifacts, and learn about law enforcement at the fascinating Alcatraz East Crime Museum located right off the Parkway in Pigeon Forge.
This family-friendly museum displays Ted Bundy’s VW Beetle, John Dillinger’s death mask, Al Capone’s fedora and more behind-the-scenes relics that bring America’s most infamous crimes to life. With special rates for Bear Camp guests, become crime detectives for a day at one of the top things to do in Pigeon Forge.
2. The Comedy Barn
This attraction was voted the most award-winning family comedy variety show in the Smokies. As one of the best Smoky Mountain attractions, The Comedy Barn welcomes audiences into
their hilarious barnyard world filled with side-splitting jokes, hilarious antics, outstanding magic, and vocal impressions of famous singers.
Experience two hours of music, magic, and mountain hijinx that’ll leave your cheeks hurting from laughing but wanting more. Bear Camp guests receive exclusive discounts on this beloved Pigeon Forge comedy hotspot.
3. The Great Smoky Mountain Wheel
For staggering elevated views of downtown Sevierville, hop aboard The Great Smoky Mountain Wheel towering 200 feet over Forks of the River Parkway.
Each climate-controlled gondola offers 360° vistas of the surrounding Smoky Mountains as you make a full revolution high above the valley below during this charming 15-minute experience. Bear Camp visitors receive money off tickets to take in the sweeping scenery aboard this iconic Sevierville attraction.
4. Dollywood Theme Park
As one of the most popular Smoky Mountain attractions for families, Dolly Parton’s 150-acre Dollywood theme park provides endless entertainment. It has exciting rides and rollercoasters, live music shows, talented craftsmen demonstrations, Southern-inspired dining, and more fun the whole family enjoys.
From the daredevil thrills of Lightning Rod and Wild Eagle to charming shows like Dreamland Drive-In, Dollywood captures mountain magic at its best. With discounted admission tickets, Bear Camp guests can experience it all!
5. The Grand Majestic Theater: The Magic of Terry Underwood
At one of the best Great Smoky Mountains attractions, Magician Terry Evanswood amazes Pigeon Forge audiences with spellbinding illusions, hilarious comedy routines, musical ventriloquism, and interactive magic at his popular Grand Majestic Theater.
This family-friendly show infuses drama, intrigue, mystery, and magic into 75 minutes of pure entertainment. See it for yourself using special reduced ticket pricing extended to Bear Camp guests.
6. Titanic Museum Attraction
Pay touching tribute to Titanic’s unfortunate passengers and crew on an insightful self-guided journey inside this half-scale replica ship docked along the Little Pigeon River.
Guests receive boarding passes detailing an actual passenger or crew member’s fate that night to personalize exhibits while walking through painstakingly recreated rooms, touching a floating iceberg, and more across intricate galleries and interactive displays.
With new artifacts continually being added, Bear Camp guests can experience this Smoky Mountain tourist attraction repeatedly. Each time you can discover something fresh with every visit using discounted admission tickets.
7. Mad Dog’s Creamery
Located right next to Three Arts Theater in Sevierville, this incredibly popular sweet stop whips up homemade, hand-crafted ice cream using local dairy and fresh ingredients onsite daily.
With unique flavors like Salted Caramel Moonshine and Smoky Mountain Mudslide, they have a heavenly option for everyone’s taste buds.
Enjoy your decadent treats on their outdoor patio with the whole family, or grab pints and quarts custom-packed to take back to your Bear Camp cabin worry-free with their exclusive freezer totes. As a favorite for both locals and tourists alike, Bear Camp guests receive discounted prices at Mad Dog’s to satisfy those creamy cravings.
8. TopJump Trampoline and Extreme Arena
For high-flying family fun, TopJump Trampoline Park gets your crew airborne with wall-to-wall interconnected trampolines perfect for free jump, dodgeball, volleyball, ninja courses, and more adrenaline-pumping action.
If one level of trampolines isn’t enough, challenge yourself on the heights of their Extreme Arena climbing walls. With special pricing for Bear Camp visitors, kids and adults alike can bounce, climb, and play for hours at TopJump!
The Great Smoky Mountains: FAQs
What is the difference between the Smoky Mountains and the Great Smoky Mountains?
The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is America's most visited national park, spanning over half a million protected acres of land with incredible biodiversity across North Carolina and Tennessee.
The Smoky Mountains refers more broadly to the greater region surrounding the national park encompassing towns with more development like Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg.
Where are the Great Smoky Mountains?
The Great Smoky Mountain National Park has land in both eastern Tennessee (Blount, Sevier, and Cocke Counties) and western North Carolina (Haywood, Swain, and Graham Counties). The park is about a 45-minute drive from Knoxville, TN, and a 2-hour drive from Charlotte or Asheville, NC.
How long does it take to go through the Great Smoky Mountains?
With over 800 miles of hiking trails stretching across the vast park, it could take many months to fully explore every corner by foot!
Scenic drives like the 11-mile Cades Cove Loop or the 10-mile Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail allow you to take in those beautiful mountain vistas more easily accessible by car — each showcase highlights in just a few hours.
Of course, we recommend budgeting as much time as you can to immerse yourself in everything the Smokies have to offer!
Final Thoughts
Staying at Bear Camp Cabins in the Great Smoky Mountains provides easy access to the lively entertainment and mountain adventures that call visitors to keep coming back to the spectacular Smoky Mountains year after year.
With quaint cabins tucked in the tranquil woods, you have a serene home to explore the region’s vibrant culture, rich history, and abundant natural beauty at your own pace. We can't wait to host your Smoky Mountain getaway soon!
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