A Camper's Guide to Pigeon Forge, Tennessee
Join us as we uncover the joys of camping in this Eastern Tennessee gem.
Just outside of Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Pigeon Forge, Tennessee offers a unique camping experience for outdoor adventurers and city-goers alike.
In this guide, we’ll explore the best of Pigeon Forge's camping, from different area attractions to the beauty of Smoky Mountains National Park. Join us as we uncover the joys of camping in this Eastern Tennessee gem.
Things to Do in Pigeon Forge - Area Attractions
Pigeon Forge serves as the gateway to the Great Smoky Mountains, but it’s also home to several area attractions that deserve attention in their own right. Let’s take a look at some of the fun experiences this town has to offer:
Dollywood
Pigeon Forge is home to the famous Dollywood amusement park co-owned by the one and only country music legend, Dolly Parton. The park blends Dolly’s influence on the area with Appalachian culture, offering amusement park rides, live performances, and seasonal festivals to its visitors.
Rowdy Bear’s Smoky Mountain Snow Park
Rowdy Bear Ridge Mountain Park is home to a variety of family fun activities including a Ski Lift Shootout Coaster, outdoor axe throwing, and the Avalanche Snow Coaster.
But the outdoor snow tubing hill is its real claim to fame. This is the first and fastest outdoor tubing hill in Tennessee spanning over 500 feet in length with a 70-foot drop. You can reach speeds of up to 35 miles per hour, and there's even an option to connect tubes with friends or family for a group ride.
Ober Mountain
Ober Mountain Adventure Park and Ski Area is a year-round destination of fun, excitement, and scenic beauty in Gatlinburg.
During the warmer months, Ober Mountain is a family-oriented amusement park where you’ll find a variety of activities like "snowless" summer tubing, the Ski Mountain Coaster, an alpine slide, scenic chairlift rides, and a wildlife encounter.
After Thanksgiving, the mountain turns into a winter sports paradise. Thanks to state-of-the-art snowmaking systems, skiing, snowboarding, ice skating, and snow tubing are all available for some winter time fun. The Aerial Tramway, a 2.1-mile ride starting from downtown Gatlinburg, offers breathtaking views of the Great Smoky Mountains before dropping you off at the adventure park and ski area.
The Scenic Parkway
The Parkway, the main thoroughfare in Pigeon Forge, is lined with a variety of shops, restaurants, and entertainment venues. It’s the perfect place to spend the afternoon going for leisurely strolls and discovering the upbeat culture of the city. Here are just a few of the fun things you’ll find along the strip:
Titanic Museum Attraction: This museum offers a unique glimpse into the history of the Titanic. It features a collection of over 400 artifacts and provides an accurate view of what life was like on board the ship.
Pink Jeep Tours: For a different perspective of the Smoky Mountains, these tours provide guided experiences in iconic Pink Jeeps, offering several tour options through the national park.
The Comedy Barn Theater: The Comedy Barn Theater is a family friendly attraction that offers a variety of acts including ventriloquists, jugglers, magicians, and more.
WonderWorks: This indoor amusement park is known for its upside-down building design and offers over 100 interactive exhibits showcasing various themes like light and sound, space discovery, and physical challenges.
Hollywood Wax Museum: This museum is a great spot for taking fun photos with lifelike figures of famous personalities.
Sevierville
Just 15 minutes to the north of Pigeon Forge, you’ll find Sevierville, the hometown of Dolly Parton. This town offers its own set of fun things to do for the whole family. Here are just a few to add to your Pigeon Forge camping itinerary:
NASCAR SpeedPark: NASCAR SpeedPark is famous for its go-karting tracks and other amusement park-style rides, mini-golf, a rock climbing gym, a large arcade, mini bowling lanes, and a VR arena.
Five Oaks Riding Stables: Located near the Tanger Outlets Sevierville shopping center, these stables offer horseback riding and zip line experiences through the beautiful East Tennessee countryside.
World-class Fishing: Sevierville's location near the Little Pigeon River makes it a premier spot for fishing, especially for smallmouth bass.
Dolly Parton Statue: A tribute to the beloved country music star, this statue is a popular spot for fans to take a photo.
Rainforest Adventures Discovery Zoo: This rainforest themed zoo is home to over 130 species and 600 animals and reptiles, including some rare species.
Smokies Baseball Game: The Tennessee Smokies, a minor league affiliate of the Chicago Cubs, play in Sevierville against a scenic backdrop of the Great Smoky Mountains.
Moonshine Tasting: Local distilleries in Sevierville offer tastings and tours, providing insight into this unique aspect of local culture and bootlegging history.
Outdoor Adventure in Pigeon Forge
Pigeon Forge is located at the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains where outdoor adventure awaits! Here are just a few ways to get out and enjoy the National Park:
Hiking in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park
The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is full of natural beauty which you can discover through a series of hiking trails. Whether you're looking for a leisurely nature walk through green forests or an adventurous trek to panoramic mountain views, the park has it all. Trails like the Abrams Falls and the Alum Cave Bluffs are particularly popular for their stunning scenery and manageable distances.
Biking Paths in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park
If you’re looking to add biking to your Pigeon Forge camping adventure, the town and its surroundings offer several scenic routes. Here are a few popular trails in the area:
Gatlinburg Trail: This is a relatively flat trail, about 1.3 miles long, starting near the Sugarlands Visitor Center in Gatlinburg. It's ideal for families and leisurely cyclists as it follows the Little Pigeon River and provides beautiful forest views.
Cades Cove Loop: This 11-mile loop is probably the most famous cycling route in the Smokies. Suitable for both gravel bikes and mountain bikes, it offers varied terrain and spectacular scenery. It also has "bypass" roads like Sparks Lane and Hyatt Lane for shorter or longer rides.
Greenbrier Road: About 6 miles east of Gatlinburg, Greenbrier Road offers a unique experience with the first mile paved and the remainder gravel. It's less traveled and offers a mix of history and natural beauty.
Foothills Parkway: This 17-mile route is known for its spectacular mountain views and is more suitable for experienced cyclists due to its hilly terrain.
Always remember to ride safely and follow all traffic regulations, especially on shared roads. Helmets are recommended for all cyclists, and in Tennessee, it's required for children age 16 and under.
Water Sports on the Little Pigeon River
The Little Pigeon River is a great spot to enjoy a variety of water-based activities. Enjoy a day of fishing, where you might catch trout or bass, or sign up for a guided white-water rafting adventure. The river's calmer sections are also perfect for a peaceful kayaking or canoeing experience.
Exploring Wears Valley and Walden Creek
Wears Valley, located just outside Pigeon Forge, is a scenic valley offering spectacular mountain views, unique local shops, and quaint dining spots. It's also a great starting point for hikes into the national park.
Walden Creek, another nearby area, is known for its horseback riding trails that meander through the creek's trails, offering a unique way to experience the Smoky Mountains' natural beauty.
Seasonal Considerations for Pigeon Forge
The best time to visit Pigeon Forge depends on your preferences for weather, crowds, and events. Spring (April-May) and fall (September-October) offer mild weather and less crowded conditions, making them ideal for outdoor activities like hiking and exploring the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. These seasons also offer unique experiences with spring wildflowers and fall foliage on full display.
Summer (June-August) is peak tourist season. During these months you’ll find warm weather perfect for water activities and enjoying the full swing of attractions, but be prepared for larger crowds and longer wait times.
In the winter season (November-March), Pigeon Forge turns into a winter wonderland with festive decorations and seasonal events like Winterfest. While some outdoor activities are limited due to colder temperatures, winter generally sees fewer tourists, offering visitors a more relaxed experience.
Each season in Pigeon Forge is a fun one. You might even find that you love the region so much, you return time after time in different seasons to experience all this special town has to offer.
Where to Stay in Pigeon Forge
The Pigeon Forge area is home to a variety of RV Campsites that serve as the perfect home base to explore all this area of Tennessee has to offer. Here are a couple of our favorites to help you with your planning process:
Pigeon Forge Landing - Sevierville
Pigeon Forge Landing RV Resort offers modern accommodations for a comfortable camping experience. The sites are well-maintained with level concrete pads, full hookups (including 30/50 amp service, water, sewer, Wi-Fi, and cable TV), and asphalt aprons.
The resort has Premium and Executive pull-through spaces, as well as Riverside Back-in spaces, making it big-rig friendly. Don’t own an RV? No worries, this resort offers RV rentals as well as drive up and hike in tent sites.
The RV park also includes convenient onsite amenities including a market, ADA access sites, picnic tables, fire rings firewood availability, showers, drinking water, electric hookups, updated restrooms, and pet-friendly spaces.
And its location in Sevierville puts you in the center of all the action. Close to town and easy access to the National Park, this is the perfect retreat after long days of adventure.
Here are a few of the resort’s notable features:
River Access: This riverside RV resort offers a variety of ways to enjoy the water. Join in on riverside fishing, take a stroll along the banks in the evenings on the illuminated riverwalk, or rent some tubes or kayaks for a bit of adventure.
Pool and Hot Tub: Enjoy some relaxation in the heated, saline swimming pool or unwind in the hot tub spa open seasonally.
Welcome Lodge: The Pigeon Forge Lodge features onsite concierge services, a retail store, a conference room, gym and laundry facilities. When you arrive, ask about the children’s playground, picnic pavilion, a Bark park and golf cart rentals. Their concierge will point you in the right direction.
Pickleball Court: Stay active and test your skills with Pigeon Forge Landing’s onsite pickleball court.
The Ridge Outdoor Resort - Sevierville
Situated less than 5 minutes from Downtown Sevierville, The Ridge offers easy access to local attractions and restaurants. It's also only 3 miles from Dollywood and Pigeon Forge, positioning it perfectly for exploring the heart of the Smoky Mountains.
The resort’s RV sites are spacious with level concrete pads, ranging from 62 to 100 feet long. The sites are equipped with full hook-up facilities with both 50/30 amp options and you’ll have access to free WIFI and cable at each site to help you stay connected throughout their stay. The resort also offers unique Buddy Sites, perfect for camping with friends.
Apart from RV sites, The Ridge Outdoor Resort also offers tiny home cabin rentals and temperature controlled canvas glamping tents. Each option combines the rustic charm of camping in the Smokies with modern comforts.
Here are just a few of the resort’s stand out features:
Zero Entry Heated Pool & Hot Tub: At this resort, you’ll find a zero-entry pool and hot tub for relaxation year-round.
Lazy River: The lazy river is heated and open seasonally, usually from late March to late October. It also serves as the venue for “float-in” movie nights and live music.
Fitness Center: The Ridge Fitness Center has everything you need to maintain your fitness routine while on vacation.
Golf Cart Rentals: Golf carts make it easy to visit every corner of the resort, including the deli and activity areas.
Daily Jeep Rentals: For exploring the Smoky Mountains, the resort offers daily and multi-day Jeep rentals. This service allows guests to conveniently rent a Jeep and enjoy the scenic drives through Pigeon Forge, Sevierville, and Gatlinburg.
Golf Simulator: The onsite golf simulator is a great way to spend a rainy day. Guests are welcome to bring their own clubs to enjoy this unique golfing experience.
Bark Parks: The Ridge features three fenced dog parks as well as several pet stations throughout the grounds for easy cleanup after pets.
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