We're loading up and heading to the Smokies. The Bronco Super Celebration East 2026 runs April 15-18 at the Great Smokies Event Grounds in Townsend, Tennessee, and Trail Gear Oasis will be set up in the vendor midway all four days.
This isn't just any Bronco event. This is the 20th anniversary of the world's largest annual Bronco enthusiast gathering. What started in 2006 in a quiet mountain town just outside Pigeon Forge has grown into the flagship event for the entire Bronco community. Every generation of Bronco shows up here, from classic early restorations to brand new Sasquatch builds and Raptors. If you own a Bronco and you've never been to a Super Celebration, this is the year.
Presented by Bronco Driver Magazine, the event features four days of organized daily drives through the Great Smoky Mountains, a vendor midway packed with aftermarket Bronco parts and accessories, the Battle of the Broncos competition, a live Bronco auction, RTI Flex Ed, a drive-in movie night, and enough Bronco community energy to last you until the next one.
Here's everything we've pulled together so you can plan your trip.
Event Details
Event: Bronco Super Celebration East 2026 (20th Anniversary)
Dates: April 15-18, 2026 (Wednesday through Saturday)
Location: Great Smokies Event Grounds (formerly Townsend Visitor Center), 7906 E Lamar Alexander Pkwy, Townsend, TN 37882
Presented by: Bronco Driver Magazine
Registration: $100 per Bronco (not per person)
Spectator parking: $10 per vehicle per day
Website: broncodriver.com
Registration and What's Included
Bronco registration is $100 and covers your show field parking, event access for you and your family, an event t-shirt, raffle tickets, a $10 food truck voucher, and a truck and trailer parking pass at the Peaceful Haven Event Venue if needed.
If you pre-register by March 31, 2026, you get the Fast Pass. Your show field credentials and info package get mailed to you ahead of time so you can bypass the registration line and head straight to the show field when you arrive. Worth doing if you don't want to wait in line on day one.
Spectator tickets are $10 per vehicle per day if you're coming out to walk the show field and vendor midway without registering a Bronco.
Competitions and Special Activities
The Bronco Super Celebration isn't just a car show. There's real competition and a stacked activity lineup across all four days.
Battle of the Broncos runs Saturday from 10am to 1pm. $20 entry. Your Bronco goes on display with recognition across all generations. Awards and prizes for the standouts. You have to be a registered event participant to enter.
RTI Flex Ed goes down Saturday at noon, sponsored by Wild Horses 4x4. Bring your Bronco to the ramp, get scored, win prizes. If you've never run an RTI ramp before, this is a controlled, fun environment to see what your suspension can do.
Live Bronco Auction runs Saturday from 10am to noon. Collectibles, parts, projects, and more. If you've got items to sell, you can consign them through Bronco Driver Magazine.
Georgia Bronco Poker Run is a Friday all-day event. $20 for a game card, collect cards from 8am to 4:30pm, prizes and awards at 5pm. Run by the Georgia Broncos club.
2GenKin Small Bronco Extravaganza happens Thursday from 4-6pm. Bring any diecast, RC, mini, or rideable Bronco to the booth for a fun show-and-shine with prizes. Good for all ages.
Tennessee Bronco Club Day runs Saturday from 9am to 2pm with BroncoLand, a giant board trivia game, plus awards, prizes, and giveaways at their booth.
Live broadcast from All Terrain Nation goes live Saturday at 11am from the show field.
Daily Drives Through the Smokies
This is the heart of the Bronco Super Celebration and what sets it apart from every other event. The daily drives are organized group cruises through some of the best roads in the Great Smoky Mountains. Dirt, gravel, scenic parkways, and mountain passes. There's a drive for every experience level, every day.
Wednesday April 15
The Douglas Dam and Bush Beans Museum tour is a scenic drive through Wears Valley to the overlook at Douglas Dam, then through Dandridge and up the middle of Douglas Lake to the Bush Beans museum and cafe. About 4 hours, 60 miles round trip.
The Cherokee, NC street cruise is led by Gulf Side Bronco Club. Drive over the Smokies to the tourist town of Cherokee with shops and the casino, then wind back through the mountain roads. 6-7 hours, about 100 miles.
Parsons Branch dirt drive is the most talked-about drive at the event. Starts in the Cades Cove loop, exits out the back into an 8-mile dirt road with twists, water crossings, and cobble rock. Exits onto mile marker 3 of the Tail of the Dragon with 300 winding turns back to Foothills Parkway. About 4 hours, 50 miles.
The Kuwohi Mountain cruise (formerly Clingmans Dome) takes river road into Gatlinburg, then up the long winding road to the overlook parking area. Half-mile hike to the observation tower for a panoramic view of the Smokies. About 4 hours, 80 miles.
Foothills Parkway to Look Rock Tower is led by the Tennessee Bronco Club. A scenic drive down both segments of the parkway with an optional half-mile hike to the observation tower. About 2.5 hours, 35 miles.
Thursday April 16
Parsons Branch runs again, this time sponsored by Turn Offroad and led by Eric Taylor.
Roaring Fork Nature Trail is led by the 2GenKin Bronco Club. An isolated 8-mile one-lane road through old mountain settlement with cabins, rivers, and waterfalls. Ends in Gatlinburg for lunch. About 4 hours, 50 miles.
Cherohala Parkway starts with a drive across Foothills Parkway and down the Tail of the Dragon, then enters the Cherohala Parkway at midpoint. Ridge after ridge of mountain views with sweeping overlooks. Some call it the best kept road secret in the Smokies. About 4.5 hours, 100 miles.
Rich Mountain dirt and gravel drive enters from Cades Cove onto a narrow one-way 10-mile gravel road back into Townsend. Almost guaranteed wildlife sightings, possibly bears. About 2.5 hours, 25 miles.
Foothills Parkway to Top of the World follows both segments of the parkway to the Top of the World settlement along the lake, then a roller coaster drive through the valley back to the venue. About 3 hours, 50 miles.
Georgia Broncos Family & Friends Drive leaves at 5pm. Scenic drive with a dinner stop followed by mountain coaster rides. Open to everyone, no club membership required.
Drive-In Movie Night at the Parkway Drive-In Theatre. Group drive leaves the show field at 6pm. Double feature the old fashioned way. $20 per Bronco. Snacks and food available at the theatre.
Friday April 17
Parsons Branch runs a third time, this time with Heritage Editions up front. Led by Gulf Side Bronco Club. All years and trims welcome.
Ladies Drive leaves at 10am led by Kiesha Foulds. A scenic street drive through the mountains with lunch at the Shed. Ladies only. About 3.5 hours, 40 miles.
Raptor Drive sponsored by the NC Bronco Club. Hits the Tail of the Dragon to Dragon City where the restaurant will be open for lunch with a small obstacle course set up.
Roaring Fork Nature Trail runs again at 11am for anyone who missed Thursday's run.
Rich Mountain runs again at noon, led by Jessica White.
Forgotten City of Elkmont leaves at 1pm. A short drive to the lost ruins of the Elkmont community, once a popular resort for the wealthy. Great photo opportunities. About 2 hours, 20 miles.
NEBN Night Ride sponsored by Bronco Outfitters Offroad and Baja Designs. This is the big one. 153 miles over 6+ hours. Cades Cove to Parsons Branch to the Dragon to Forest Service gravel roads to Whigg Meadow, past Baby Falls and Bald River Falls, then the Cherohala Skyway back. Pack your coolers. Departs at 3pm.
Ober Mountain Gatlinburg cruise leaves at 3:30pm. Head to the ski resort for ice bumper cars, tube runs, coasters, ice skating, and more.
Saturday April 18
Saturday is competition and awards day at the show field. Battle of the Broncos from 10am-1pm. RTI Flex Ed at noon. Live Bronco Auction from 10am-noon. Awards and product raffle at 2:30pm. Vendor midway open 8am-3pm. Event wraps at 5pm.
Vendor Midway
The vendor midway at the Bronco Super Celebration is massive. This is a 20-year-old event and the vendor list reflects it. Aftermarket parts, fabrication, accessories, lighting, chassis, restoration, apparel, and everything in between.
Some of the vendors who have attended include names like Wild Horses 4x4, Toms Offroad, James Duff, Kincer Chassis, Dennis Carpenter, IAG, Gobi Racks, Maxlider Brothers, Quake LED, Bartact, Rhino USA, Dana Corporation, and dozens more.
Trail Gear Oasis will be set up in the vendor midway. If you own a new Bronco, come check out our 2-in-1 Bronco trail cover and sun shade in person. See the material, check the fit, and ask us anything about setup. We built it specifically for the Bronco, not adapted from a Jeep pattern. It's rain gear and sun shade in one quick-install package designed for the way Bronco owners actually use their rigs.
Windrock Off-Road Park Experience
For anyone who wants real off-road seat time beyond the daily drives, the event offers a guided Windrock OHV experience on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday (April 14-16). Organized and led by Sloburn Offroad, it's a full-day guided tour through Windrock Park with lunch included.
Spots are very limited and go on a first-come basis. $80 per vehicle (does not include Windrock Park permits, which start at $31.89 per adult per day). You must be a registered Super Celebration participant to reserve a spot. Text 865-690-4941 or email Tom@BroncoDriver.com to reserve.
Lodging Near Townsend
Townsend is a small mountain town, so book early. Several hotels are offering Bronco Driver Magazine discounts to attendees:
Talley Ho Inn - (800) 448-2465
Townsend Gateway Motel - (865) 238-0123
River Breeze Motel - (865) 448-2389
Highland Manor - (865) 448-2211
Best Western Cades Cove - (865) 448-9000
Riverstone Lodge - (865) 448-6677
Tremont Lodge and Resort - (865) 448-3200
Dancing Bear Lodge - (800) 369-0111
Ask for the Bronco Driver Magazine discount when booking. Berry Springs Lodge in Sevierville offers 10% off with code BRONCO10. Ghosal Luxury Lodging in Pigeon Forge/Gatlinburg offers cabins with code Bronco25.
Camping
Big Meadow Family Campground - (865) 448-0625
Townsend Great Smokies KOA - (865) 448-2241
Lazy Daze Campground - (865) 448-6061
Little Arrow Resort - (865) 448-6363
Mountain Mist Cabins - (865) 448-6650
Pioneer Cabins and Guest Farm - (865) 448-6100
Book early. This event fills up the entire town every year.
Getting to Townsend, Tennessee
Townsend is on the "quiet side of the Smokies," just outside Pigeon Forge and about 30 minutes from Gatlinburg. If you're driving, Knoxville is about 45 minutes away. Chattanooga is about 2.5 hours. Nashville is around 3.5 hours. Atlanta is about 3.5 hours. If you're flying, McGhee Tyson Airport (TYS) in Knoxville is the closest.
Note: Truck and trailers are not allowed at the Great Smokies Event Grounds. Free truck and trailer parking is available at the Peaceful Haven Event Venue, 2 blocks down the road, with 24-hour staff monitoring. Unload your Bronco there and drive to the show field.
Also, the Great Smoky Mountains National Park requires a parking tag at visitor centers, Cades Cove, trailheads, and popular spots. Daily tags are $5, weekly are $15, annual are $40. Purchase them at visitor centers or online at recreation.gov. You won't need a tag just to drive through the park.
Bronco Club Parking
One of the things that makes this event special is the Bronco club community. There are dedicated club parking areas on the show field for dozens of regional Bronco clubs including Tennessee Broncos, Georgia Broncos, Blue Ridge Broncos, Gulf Side Bronco Club, NorthEast Bronco Nation, NC Bronco Club, Broncos of the Carolinas, Arkansas Broncos, Chattanooga Bronco Owners, and many more. If you're part of a club, find your section. If you're not, this is a great place to get connected with one.
Come See Trail Gear Oasis at the Bronco Super Celebration
We'll be in the vendor midway all four days with our 2-in-1 Bronco trail cover and sun shade on display. If you've been looking at rain gear for your Bronco, this is the spot to see it in person before you buy.
The cover is built specifically for the Ford Bronco. Not a Jeep cover with different straps. A Bronco-specific cover designed for the Bronco's body lines, roof panel configuration, and dimensions. Full waterproof rain protection or sun shade in one quick setup.
Stop by the booth, check out the fit, ask questions, and talk Broncos with us. We'll be there all week.
Don't Miss the 20th Anniversary
The Bronco Super Celebration has been the anchor event for the Bronco community since 2006. Twenty years of Broncos taking over Townsend, Tennessee. Twenty years of Parsons Branch runs, show field lineups, and Smoky Mountain drives. If you've been before, you know. If you haven't, this is the year to change that.
Follow Trail Gear Oasis on Instagram and Facebook for live coverage from the event. If you're heading to Townsend April 15-18, come find us in the vendor midway.
See you in the Smokies.