Pigeon Forge, Tennessee Attractions

Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, is host to more than 11 million tourists each year, according to the city's Chamber of Commerce website. With an almost endless stream of outdoor activities, it's easy to see why tourism in Pigeon Forge is growing. Activities for the outdoor enthusiast include hunting, fishing, whitewater rafting, skiing and hiking in pristine natural beauty. The half-million-acre Great Smoky Mountains National Park is designated as an International Biosphere for environment research by the United Nations. The wilderness preserve is free for all to enjoy.

Amusement Parks

Whether you're looking for thrill rides, roller coasters, water fun, kiddie rides, live entertainment or craft shops, Dollywood has something for everyone. Try the SkyZip if you are looking for an adrenaline rush. Visit the Dixie Stampede for food and live entertainment. Catch daily demonstrations including wagon-making, glass-blowing and wood-carving at the themed shops.

Dollywood
2700 Dollywood Parks Blvd.
Pigeon Forge, TN 37863
(800) 365-5996
dollywood.com

Hiking

Over 800 miles of hiking trails meander over the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. They range from easy to challenging. Abrams Falls is an easy 2.5-mile trail that is ideal for a beginner. More experienced hikers may want to stretch their legs out on the 69-mile stretch of the 2,015-mile-long Appalachian Trail that runs through the area.

Hunting and Fishing

Eastern Tennessee includes 11 lakes and 3,000 miles of aggressively stocked waterways. Fly-fishing and spin fishing can provide hours of entertainment for avid anglers. For the hunters, something is always in season, from turkey to deer to bear and small game. One place to stock up on gear is Rocky Top Outfitters.

Rocky Top Outfitters
2611 Ruth Hall Road
Pigeon Forge, TN 37863
(865) 661-FISH
rockytopoutfitter.com

Water Sports

Whether you are interested in tubing, rafting, kayaking or canoeing, guided river trips are readily available. Wildwater Rafting is one outfit that runs outings. Rafting in the Smokies provides guided Class 3 and Class 4 whitewater rafting on the Upper Pigeon or tubing on the Lower Pigeon River.

Wildwater Rafting
(800) 451-9972
wildwaterrafting.com

Rafting in the Smokies
(800) PRO-RAFT
raftinginthesmokies.com

Snow Sports

Located just five miles outside of Pigeon Forge, Ober Gatlinburg is a ski resort offering eight trails to satisfy your thirst for snowboarding, snow tubing and skiing. Two quad chairlifts and a double chairlift provide ample transportation to the tops of the slopes. Snowmaking equipment is always on stand-by ready to blanket the entire area when needed.

Ober Gatlinburg Ski Resort
1001 Parkway
Gatlinburg, TN 37738
(865) 436-5423
obergatlinburg.com

Something Different

For those looking to step out on a limb, globe-riding may be just the ticket. Globe-riding is a sport that primarily involves rolling downhill in an inflatable ball or globe according to ZORB's website. As of December 2009, Pigeon Forge is the only place in the United States where you can try this activity.
Meanwhile, Flyaway Indoor Skydiving brings the freedom of flight indoors. This vertical wind tunnel draws those who desire the experience of human flight.

ZORB Smoky Mountains
203 Sugar Hollow Road
Pigeon Forge, TN 37863
(865) 428-2422
zorb.com/zorb/smoky

Flyaway Indoor Skydiving
3106 Parkway Drive
Pigeon Forge, TN 37863
(877) 293-0639
flyawayindoorskydiving.com

Article Written By Natashia Croston

Natashia Croston has been writing technical articles for private clients since 2001. She is a CompTIA A+ certified professional and she earned an Associate of Applied Science in computer networking and a Bachelor of Science in technical project management, both from ITT Technical Institute.

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