Nestled in the heart of the Great Smoky Mountains, Pigeon Forge, Tennessee is a hidden gem that has something for everyone. This touristy town might be small, but don’t let its size fool you – it’s packed with more excitement than a roller coaster ride at Dollywood!
From outdoor adventures to mountain coasters, and from down-home cookin’ to dazzling shows, Pigeon Forge and the surrounding area is like a playground for grown-ups (and kids too!).
So buckle up, y’all! We’re about to take you on our whirlwind tour of Pigeon Forge and its neighboring wonders. Whether you’re a thrill-seeker, a nature lover, or just in need of some good old Southern hospitality, this corner of Tennessee has got you covered.
Pigeon Forge, First Impressions
When we first cruised onto the “parkway” in Pigeon Forge, I had an instant Vegas déjà vu moment. Picture the Las Vegas Strip, but swap out the strippers and boozy shenanigans for a family-friendly extravaganza. It’s like Vegas went to rehab, found religion, and decided to settle down in the mountains. No wonder they call it “The Strip” – it’s got all the glitz and none of the guilt!
Our campground, Riverbend, is just a hop, skip, and a toddler’s stumble away from the parkway. It’s conveniently located near the trolley stop – your golden ticket if you want to brave the parking apocalypse that is Gatlinburg. Finding a free spot there is like spotting Bigfoot riding a unicorn.
Now, about our campground on the Little Pigeon River – let’s just say it was a little FOWL. Get it? Ducks? Geese? Fowl? But don’t let my terrible pun ruffle your feathers – the place was a hoot and a half! Or is that a quack and a honk?
The Cades Cove Loop
Cades Cove Loop is an 11-mile loop that’s like a time machine on wheels. You’ve got wildlife doing their thing, nature showing off, and enough 1800s buildings to make you feel like you’ve stumbled onto the set of “Little House on the Prairie.” Much like our trip along the Laura Ingall’s Wilder Historic Highway.
Every Wednesday, they kick out all the cars so cyclists can pedal in peace. But did we wait for Wednesday? Heck no! We strapped on our superhero capes (aka helmets) and zoomed in on our e-bikes on a Thursday. Because who doesn’t love a good game of “dodge the distracted driver”?
This road is narrower than a bear’s waistline after winter. And apparently, bears are the celebrities of Cades Cove – drivers rubberneck so hard you’d think we were in Yellowstone chasing down buffalo instead.
But fear not! We survived without becoming hood ornaments and had a blast zipping past car conga lines stuck behind that one driver who thinks they’re the only driver on the road today.
First Bear Siting
Our first stop was the John Oliver Cabin. Fortunately, as we were pulling in, a friendly guy informed us there was a momma bear and her cubs in a tree just a little ways up.
The John Oliver Cabin is just a short walk from a small parking area. The building dates back to around 1820 and the Oliver family lived here until the national park was established. Talk about old world craftsmanship. There’s not a single nail in this thing.
Besides the Oliver cabin, there are no less than three very old churches along the loop. The first up is Primitive Baptist Church. While there was a congregation here as far back as 1827, the church wasn’t built until 1887. Standing at the pulpit conjures images of some really creepy horror movies.
We continue with the historic buildings as we come to the Grist Mill and nearby buildings. The grist mill was a very welcome addition to the cove. Before it was built, farmers had to grind their grains by hand, a very time consuming process. It probably felt like the difference between cooking your burrito in the microwave vs the oven.
We did come across a few unwelcome wildlife visitors while in this area. These were reported to be copperheads, a poisonous snake that calls this area home. I’m not sure if that’s an accurate identification but I’m also not volunteering to check IDs at the door.
Goats on Roof
Remember our jaunt to Door County where we found goats living their best life on a restaurant roof? And let’s not forget Jeff’s childhood goat-herding days – a skill that’s shockingly undervalued on LinkedIn.
Oh, and who could forget our Alpine Coaster adventure in Steamboat Springs that left us with windswept hair and questionable screaming noises caught on camera?
Now, imagine if some mad genius decided to throw all of these experiences into a blender, hit puree, and voila! You get the Goats on the Roof Alpine Coaster in Pigeon Forge. It’s like the universe heard our prayers and said, “Hold my beer.”
There are chances to ride the coaster (a ton of fun), play some Jurassic themed mini golf, feed and pet the goats or browse their MASSIVE collection of souvenir goat themed shirts.
But how was it, really?
Rafting in Hartford, TN
After Asheville, did you think we were done with aquatic adventures? Try again! We’ve been river rafting a few times, but this time, Jeff – our resident bargain hunter extraordinaire – struck gold. Or should I say, struck water?
The French Broad River, where rafting companies multiply faster than rabbits. Jeff, with his eagle eye for a deal, managed to snag us spots for a mere $35 each. That’s right, folks – we got our adrenaline fix for less than the cost of a fancy dinner.
Let me tell you, this wasn’t your grandma’s lazy river ride. We’re talking class II and III rapids with a sprinkling of class IV for extra spice. It was like Mother Nature decided to put her washing machine on spin cycle, and we were the laundry!
But the pièce de résistance? Our guide, clearly auditioning for a role in “Whitewater Wizards,” set us up for a move called “surfing the rapid.” Now, when I hear “surfing,” I think beaches, sunshine, and looking cool. What I got instead was a full-body baptism in river water. Jeff and I ended up so submerged, we could’ve had a conversation with the fish.
Was it freaky? Absolutely. Was it exhilarating? You bet your wet socks it was. For 60 glorious minutes, we laughed, we screamed, we probably swallowed enough river water to hydrate a small village.
So, there you have it. Our best river adventure yet, proving once and for all that sometimes, the best things in life are wet. I mean, cheap. Well, in this case, both!
Dinner Shows
Pigeon Forge doesn’t stop the entertainment as the sun slowly sets. There are plenty of opportunities for dinner and a show. Whether you fancy a good old fashion feud or something with a little more pirate, ARRG, there’s a show for everyone.
First up we chose the Hatfield’s and McCoys Dinner Feud, complete with an all you can eat fried chicken dinner and a side of CHEESY comedy. We are still scratching our heads about the couple ahead of us that say they visit this show at least twice a year!
Next was Dolly Parton’s Stampede. I’m pretty sure this used to be a Medieval Times theater but it was just the right set up for a show primarily focused on horses and their riders. Was it a Cirque Du Soleil Cavalia? No, but it was entertaining and fun to watch.
Unplanned Visit
Ah, the joys of travel! Just when you think you’ve got it all figured out, your body decides to throw you a curveball – or in my case, a fastball straight to the ear canal.
Just a couple of days into our Pigeon Forge adventure, and I’m doing my best impression of a grumpy cat with an earache. We’re talking pain so bad that even chowing down on some delicious Southern comfort food became a Herculean task. Talk about adding insult to injury!
So, there I was, reluctantly dragging myself to Urgent Care. Because nothing says “vacation” quite like fluorescent lighting and the smell of disinfectant, right? One quick diagnosis later, and boom – I’m the proud owner of a case of swimmer’s ear. Who knew you could get that without the actual swimming? I left with a prescription for antibiotic ear drops and a newfound appreciation for the simple act of chewing without wincing.
Now, I’m no quitter, but when it came to our planned motorcycle ride through the Foothills Parkway, I had to wave the white flag of surrender. Instead of straddling my own bike, I became Jeff’s backseat driver – I mean, passenger. Even then, my ear decided to team up with my sense of balance for a mutiny. The result? A motorcycle adventure shorter than a Tennessee minute.
But hey, that’s travel for you – sometimes you’re riding high on a mountain coaster, and sometimes you’re riding shotgun with an ear full of drops. At least I got to enjoy the scenery without the responsibility of keeping the bike upright. Silver linings, folks!
So, here’s to hoping these magic ear drops kick in faster than a buck during hunting season. Because let’s face it, there’s still way too much of Pigeon Forge left to explore, and I’m not about to let a little ear trouble stop me from living my best Dolly Parton-approved life!
Alcatraz of the East
Pigeon Forge has more museums than I have pairs of undies in the RV (and trust me, that’s saying something!). But when I stumbled upon the so-called “Alcatraz of the East,” I knew we had a winner. Now, you might know I’m a bit of a prison buff – I’ve even hit up the real Alcatraz on a non-RV adventure.
Here are just a couple of those:
But a whole museum dedicated to crime? That’s a first!
Let me tell you, this place is wild from the get-go. There’s a sneaky surveillance van lurking in the parking lot, setting the tone for a seriously creepy yet utterly fascinating experience. Once you’re inside, it’s like a time machine through the history of punishment. We’re talking medieval torture devices, people! But don’t think it stops there – oh no, this place goes all out.
You’ll find yourself diving into exhibits on everything from old-school moonshining (cheers!) to modern-day mass shootings (yikes). And get this – they’ve got John Wayne Gacy’s actual creepy clown suits (sleep well tonight!) and even O.J. Simpson’s infamous white Bronco. I kid you not!
But it’s not all doom and gloom. You can play detective and learn how the pros crack cases, try out your Mission Impossible dodge the laser moves, and even get the lowdown on our judicial system. Jeff, my partner in crime (pun totally intended), was skeptical at first but ended up totally blown away by all the interactive stuff and just how massive this place is.
Word to the wise: clear your schedule and pack your patience. You’ll want a good few hours to soak it all in, and there might be a line longer than my bucket list of campground adventures. Trust me, though – it’s worth the wait!
More Bear
Laurel Falls is the most popular hike in this part of the Great Smoky Mountains and it’s easy to see why. After seeing SOO MANY falls last year on our Pacific Northwest Tour, I didn’t think these wonders of nature could still impress me. I was wrong. Laurel Falls is beautiful and the hike, while VERY crowded, was just challenging enough to be fun and exciting.
The best part though, was the momma and cubs that decided to cross the path just as we were coming back down.
Elmont Ghost… Resort?
And I’d be totally disappointed if I missed an opportunity to visit an entire abandoned resort town located right in a National Park. I’m talking about Elkmont Ghost Town, and let me tell you, it’s like stepping into a time warp!
This place is no joke – we’re talking over 70 abandoned buildings just chilling near the Elkmont Campground. Let me give you the skinny: Back in 1910, some clever lumber company folks decided to make a quick buck by selling off land to a bunch of fancy-pants individuals. Next thing you know, boom! The Appalachian Clubhouse pops up, serving three gourmet meals a day, and suddenly you’ve got a whole resort community sprouting like mushrooms after a rainy day (we had those too).
But here’s where it gets juicy. Uncle Sam comes knocking, and you know how that goes – what the government wants, the government gets. In 1934, they decided to create the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, and guess who’s sitting pretty right in the middle of it? Yep, our little resort town.
Now, the government, in all its infinite wisdom, gives the residents two options. Option one: take the money and run, pronto. Option two: take a bit less cash but keep living there until you kick the bucket or until 1992, whichever comes first. Oh, and no passing it down to the kiddos. Most folks, being the clever cookies they were, went for door number two.
Fast forward to 1992, and suddenly the park’s got over 70 buildings on their hands and no clue what to do with them. So, they did what any of us would do when faced with a massive cleanup – they ignored it and let Mother Nature have her way.
Recently, some history buffs have been getting all excited about fixing up these old cottages so they might not be abandoned for long.
But let me tell you about the wildest thing we discovered – almost every single bathroom has windows! I’m talking windows facing right out to the porch in some cases. Our best guess? These homes are so old, they predate electricity. Imagine trying to do your business in the pitch dark – no wonder they needed windows!
Pigeon Forge was one of our longest stops since we knew there’d be a lot to do here and we definitely weren’t bored. Oh ya, and we added a new state sticker for this summer.