Outdoor Activities in Pigeon Forge

When most people think of Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, they envision shopping downtown; checking out the local retailers for fun and unique items unlike any place else. However, Pigeon Forge is an excellent place to escape from the retail shops and crowded streets and discover the wilderness of Tennessee in a pristine, untouched way.

Hiking in Pigeon Forge offers opportunities for people of experience level. The Great Smoky Mountains National Park has more than 500,000 acres of land and over 800 miles of maintained hiking trails. Check out the 8.0 mile round trip jaunt to Charlies Bunion. Located on the Appalachian Trial, the trek has become a very popular day hike for tourists and locals alike. Before you depart on your adventure, be equipped for a wide range of temperatures and conditions. The temperature on some hikes can be 10 degrees cooler once you reach the higher elevations of the Smokies. So dress warm, be prepared, and enjoy spending a day getting in touch with nature.

Looking for an easier way to discover Pigeon Forge wilderness? Try horseback riding, which offers a firsthand experience of the wonders of the Smoky Mountains. Check out Walden Creek Stables, which offer nearly every type of trip you would like to take – from one hour trips to overnight stays. Want to experience the mountains in a way few people do? Consider an evening ride, which begins 30 minutes before dusk and ends among a blanket of stars. No matter what kind of trip you’re looking for, horseback riding in Pigeon Forge will be a memorable experience!

For those really looking to get in touch with nature, camping is an exceptional adventure in Pigeon Forge. Check out Clabough’s Campground & Market, located just .5 miles off the Parkway. Offering tent sites as well as RV hookups, this campground offers you an experience to “rough it” to whatever extent you like! Featuring a new “Lazy River” addition and a trolley service that covers the entire Pigeon Forge area, the campground offers amenities that are sure to keep everyone in your family happy.

Fishing in Pigeon Forge has become a popular activity with people of all ages and can be an excellent way to spend time on your vacation. The Great Smoky Mountains is home to one of the last wild trout habitats in the United States and offers more than 2,115 miles of streams. The Great Smoky Mountains National Park offers a variety of fishing experiences, from smallmouth bass streams to headwater trout streams. Check out the park’s welcome center to pick up a map of all the streams Pigeon Forge has to offer!

For a more intense experience, consider taking an adventure Zip lining. It has quickly become one of the most popular activities for vacationers to try! Check out Smoky Mountain Ziplines, which is the largest zip line course in the Smokies. Offering 18 lines that take 3 hours to complete, Smoky Mountain Zipline tours come complete with 2 professional guides to help you through your first experience on the zip line. Imagine flying through the trees at up to 40 miles per hour – it is an exhilarating experience you won’t soon forget!

Need a bigger adrenaline rush? Try ZORBing, an intense experience for thrillseekers! Pigeon Forge is the only location in the United States that offers ZORB, so check it out on your vacation! The ZORB consists of two separate balls, both made of flexible plastic. The outer ball is around 9 feet in diameter. The inner ball, which can accommodate one to three passengers, is about 6 feet. This leaves roughly 2 feet of air to absorb the shock for the riders as they make their way downhill – either on a track or down a slope. ZORB offers both wet (ZYDRO) and dry (ZORBIT) rides that are sure to make your vacation a once in a lifetime experience!

If you’re unsure about when to visit Pigeon Forge, check out our weather page for seasonal and monthly information and advice.