Escape the Crowds: Why September is the Ideal Month for Cabin Retreats

Want to escape to the beautiful Smoky Mountains? Visit in September. Settle down in your private cabin without a worry about traffic, tourists or heat. Take a look at four reasons why September is the ideal month for a Tennessee cabin retreat!

1. Fewer Crowds

September is the sweet spot, falling between two peak visitor seasons. Summer tourists head home by Labor Day for school and work. October’s “leaf peeper” visitors aren’t here yet. The results: Roads aren’t backed up. Popular national park trails have more room to roam. Attractions are easier to get into, especially on weekdays. Reserving a spacious cabin is a breeze. 

2. Delightful Weather

Just as the crowds thin out, the temperatures dip. September brings pleasantly warm days for hiking the mountains or strolling around shops, without feeling like you’re in a sauna! July and August frequently hit the steamy 90s, but September’s highs hover comfortably around 80. Nights are refreshing, in the high 50s. Don’t forget to pack a sweatshirt and jeans! 

3. Comfortable, Cozy Cabins

Throw open the windows and feel the cooler air while you take in the views. Fall colors start dusting the trees at the highest elevations by mid-month. Can you glimpse gold and red on the mountain ridges?

Grab a rocking chair on the deck and watch wildlife busily preparing for fall. Deer, owls, birds or even coyotes and black bears might wander past. Later, September nights are just right for lighting a romantic fire in the cabin’s fireplace or making gooey s’mores at the outdoor fire pit. Best of all, you won’t have to compete with summer tourists or fall leaf lovers to reserve the cabin of your dreams.

4.Terrific September Events 

You might not want to leave your Pigeon Forge or Gatlinburg cabin. But if you do venture out, you’ll find lively fun for all ages and interests. Just a taste:

Love cars? Pigeon Forge hosts the country’s hottest rides at September’s Fall Rod Run. Crave a juicy hamburger, fixed just the way you want? Come for GatlinBURGER Week and get deals all over town. Dollywood debuts its down-home harvest festival, full of music, sweet treats and spectacular illuminations. Anakeesta theme park celebrates Oktoberfest early, with its Bear-Varian Fall Festival offering local craft beer for the grown-ups and magical play adventures for the kids. 

Experience September in a cabin retreat. Browse our Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge cabin listings today.