facebook
Home » Blog » Pigeon Forge » When is the Best Time to Visit Pigeon Forge TN?
Pigeon Forge Parkway with Titanic Museum sign

When is the Best Time to Visit Pigeon Forge TN?

One of the questions we get asked often is, “When is the best time to visit Pigeon Forge?” The truth is, there’s never a bad time to vacation in Pigeon Forge! Depending on what you want to do during your trip, however, some months can be better than others. We’ve put together a guide of when the best times to visit Pigeon Forge are to help you decide when to plan your trip!

When is the best time to visit Pigeon Forge based on weather?

Weather plays a big part in your decision of when to visit. It all depends what you want to do during your vacation!

snow at the old mill in pigeon forgeTo see snow: If you’re hoping to see Pigeon Forge transformed into a winter wonderland, the best times to visit are January and February. This is when snow is most common, however, it can be known to happen any time from fall to early spring! Higher elevations have seen snow as early as November and as late as March. If you plan your vacation for January or February, your chances of catching a glimpse of snow are higher. Pigeon Forge sees an average of 6 inches of snow each year.

To spend time outside: Pigeon Forge is full of exciting outdoor adventures! Whether you want to go for a hike, zipline, play mini golf or ride a mountain coaster, you can do it all in Pigeon Forge. If you’re hoping for temperatures that aren’t too hot but aren’t too cold, the best time to visit Pigeon forge is in the spring. During the spring, temperatures tend to stay in the 60s and 70s. This means you won’t have to worry about wearing a heavy coat or getting too hot when you have fun outside! Fall is another great time to visit to enjoy outdoor activities. Temperatures are usually a bit cooler, but nothing compares to the gorgeous fall foliage all around you!

To go swimming: If you’re hoping to have some fun in the sun and splash around, the best time to visit is the summer! Seasonal outdoor pools typically open in May and are the perfect place to cool off from the summer temperatures. Dollywood’s Splash Country opens for the season in mid-May and is a popular attraction for families during the summer! Ride water rides, splash around in the pools, or relax on the Downbound Float Trip. The hottest month of the year in Pigeon Forge is July, so that’s the best time to get some relief from the heat by going for a swim.

To stay up to date with the weather in Pigeon Forge, watch our weekly weather forecast videos from meteorologist, Paul Poteet!

When is the best time to visit to avoid crowds?

aerial view of pigeon forgePigeon Forge welcomes millions of visitors each year. With everything there is to do and all the beautiful sights to see, it’s no surprise that attractions, restaurants and shops can get pretty crowded. If you’re hoping to have a peaceful vacation and avoid the big crowds while you’re out and about, you’ll want to visit during the off season. While Pigeon Forge is a popular place to be all year round, some months are a little less crowded than others. Your best bet is to visit during the winter. Once the holiday season has passed and before springtime hits, fewer visitors than usual come to the area. While it’s not unlikely to still run into traffic during these months, you won’t have to worry as much about long lines in stores and long wait times at restaurants and attractions. January, February and March tend to see less crowds than the rest of the year.

When are the best events in Pigeon Forge?

Pigeon Forge is home to a number of exciting events throughout the year, from car shows to festivals. If you’re hoping to see something special on your vacation, keep an eye on what events are happening in the area and plan your trip around them. To help you out, we’ve made a list of some of the most popular annual events in Pigeon Forge for 2020:

Winterfest Driving Tour of Lights – ends Feb. 17
Titanic Museum in Pigeon ForgeTitanic’s Annual Irish Celebration – March 1 – March 31
A Mountain Quiltfest – March 4 – March 7
Corvette Expo – March 20 – March 21
Pigeon Forge Rod Run (Spring) – April 16 – April 18
Patriot Festival – July 4
Great Smoky Mountain Jeep Invasion – Aug. 21 – Aug. 22
Shades of the Past Rod Run – Sept. 11 – Sept. 12
Pigeon Forge Rod Run (Fall) – Sept. 17 – Sept. 19

Keep in mind that dates for these events change each year. For the most up-to-date information, check out our Pigeon Forge Events Calendar.

We’ve given you all the information you need to know about when the best time to visit Pigeon Forge is for you and your vacation! Learn more about the best things to do in the area and start planning your trip.