Where To "Shine" in the Smokies

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.

Look, there’s two kinds of “shine” in this world - a vaguely psychic power as introduced to us by Stephen King and the kind of “shine” which brings a lot of people to the Smoky Mountains nowadays. You know what we’re talking about: Mountain Dew! White Lightning! Hooch! Blue Ruin!

Moonshine, fellers!

Some years ago, the Smoky Mountains became home to the first legal moonshine distillery in the state and to say it was a big hit really, REALLY undersells it. A lot of the new developments you’ve seen in the Smokies for at least the last half decade can be traced back to the tourism brought in by the now-established spirits industry that came very shortly after. Now you can barely throw a stone in any direction without hitting a distillery (which, yeah, don’t do that - they might explode) and those who have become fans of the many, many kinds of moonshine available in Pigeon Forge, Gatlinburg and Sevierville, as well as those who haven’t been here to check them out at all will find something useful in today’s article where we detail for you where you can get your “shine” on here in the Smokies!

Let’s start:

Ole Smoky Moonshine 

• 903 Parkway Unit 128,
  Gatlinburg, TN 37738
  (865) 436-6995


• 131 The Island Dr #9116,
  Pigeon Forge, TN 37863
  (865) 436-6995


 

www.olesmoky.com

Flavors: Moonshine Cherries, Moonshine Peaches, Harley-Davidson Road House Customs,  Blue Flame, Lemon Drop, Hunch Punch Lightnin', Apple Pie, Pineapple, Mountain Java and more!

Old Forge Distillery 

• 170 Old Mill Ave,
  Pigeon Forge, TN 37863
  (865) 774-4126


 

www.oldforgedistillery.com

Flavors: 1830 Original, 1830 Original Distiller's Blend, 1830 Original Miller's Blend, Chocolate, French Toast, Coffee, Blackberry, Lemon, Apple Pie, Peach, Cinnamon, Vanilla Bean and more!

Tennessee XXX Moonshine 

• 3425 Teaster Ln,
  Sevierville, TN 37863
  (865) 366-3204


 

www.tnxxxmoonshine.com

Flavors: Muscadine, Honey-Do-Me (!!!), Small Batch Corn Whiskey, Apple Pie, Blue Houdini, Small Batch Rye Whiskey, Moonshine Cherries, Coffee, Moonshine Peaches and more!

Smith Creek Moonshine

• 1645 Parkway #1090,
  Sevierville, TN 37862
  (888) 761-5409


 

www.smithcreekmoonshine.com

Flavors: Sweet Tea, Peach, Apple Pie, Chocolate Silk, Strawberry Shortcake, Orange Cream, Lemon Lime, Butter Cake, Ginger Snap and more!

Tennessee Legend Distillery 

• 2874 Newport Hwy,
  Sevierville, TN 37876
  (865) 429-3572


• 870 Winfield Dunn Pkwy,
  Sevierville, TN 37876
  (865) 366-1757


 

www.tennesseelegend.com

Flavors: Apple Pie Moonshine, Blackberry Moonshine, Grape Moonshine, Coffee Moonshine, White Lightning – Tennessee Moonshine, various whiskeys, and creams.

Thunder Road Distillery 

• 3605 Outdoor Sportsman
  Pl, Kodak, TN 37764
  (865) 401-2574


 

www.thunderroaddistillery.com

Flavors: Tennessee Frost, Apple Pie, Autumn Flame, Banana Shine, Blackberry Bramble, Cinnamon Bonfire, Little River Cinnamon, Pumpkin Patch, Red Haven Peach and more.

Sugarlands Distilling Company 

• 805 Parkway,
  Gatlinburg, TN 37738
  (865) 325-1355


 

https://sevierdistilling.com/

Flavors: Silver Cloud Tennessee Sour Mash Jar, Mint Condition Peppermint, Jim Tom Hedrick's Unaged Rye, Mark & Digger's Rye (Apple), Root Beer, Pina Colada, Appalachian Apple Pie and more!

 

These distilleries are spread throughout Sevier County, but the cabins we have at Bear Camp Cabins are convenient to them and practically everything else you want to see in Pigeon Forge, Gatlinburg and Sevierville! Find the cabin for you at our cabin index page here: FIND A CABIN