Pigeon Forge is the Smoky Mountains’ entertainment town, home to Dollywood, dinner shows, go-kart tracks and family attractions along the Parkway. Hundreds of cabins and chalets sit in the hills on both sides of town and in nearby Sevierville and Wears Valley, from cozy one-bedroom cabins for couples to big lodges with game rooms and theaters for groups.
Where to stay
- Near the Parkway is closest to Dollywood, The Island and the shows, with easy drives and less winding roads.
- The hills above town and Sevierville have most of the cabins, with mountain views and hot tubs, a few minutes’ drive from the attractions.
- Wears Valley, west of town, is quieter and more rural, close to a back entrance to the national park.
Best times to visit
- Holidays: Dollywood’s Smoky Mountain Christmas festival runs from early November into early January, and Winterfest lights cover the town; cabins book up around Thanksgiving and Christmas.
- Fall colors: October brings peak leaves and big crowds.
- Summer: June and July are busiest with families, when Dollywood’s Splash Country water park is open.
- Best value: January through early March has the lowest cabin rates, while Dollywood is closed for the season.
Getting there
McGhee Tyson Airport (TYS) near Knoxville is about 45 minutes away. Pigeon Forge sits on the Parkway (US-441) between Sevierville and Gatlinburg, about 15 minutes north of Gatlinburg and Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
Flying in? Compare flights on CheapOAir
Things to do
- Spend a day at Dollywood, Dolly Parton’s theme park, with roller coasters, crafts and seasonal festivals.
- Ride the Great Smoky Mountain Wheel at The Island in Pigeon Forge, or catch a dinner show on the Parkway.
- Shop the Tanger Outlets in Sevierville, or head into Great Smoky Mountains National Park through Gatlinburg or Wears Valley.
