Many people get Pigeon Forge, Gatlinburg, and Sevierville confused with each other. The confusion is understandable given that they are located right next to each other and are all huge tourist destinations. Both have much to offer with activities for any age and lots of family friendly activities to choose from.
Dollywood, Pigeon Forge’s biggest attraction, was named the Number 1 theme park in the United States in Tripadvisor’s 2024 Travelers’ Choice Best of the Best Awards. It also ranked Number 10 on the Travelers’ Choice Top 25 Worldwide Amusement Parks list, the only theme park in North America to make the top 10 on the international list.
Pigeon Forge doesn’t have any waterfalls, but is just a short distance away from lots for you to enjoy ranging from roadside to 8 mile hikes.
Waterfalls Near Pigeon Forge:
All the waterfalls listed below are located in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park in Gatlinburg. If you plan to visit the Smokies, be sure to visit the Sugarland Visitors Center where you can get lots of information about the Smokies, including maps and trail locations. You can also purchase a parking pass, which is required for parking anywhere inside the Great Smoky Mountains National park for more than 15 minutes. Also dogs are not permitted on any of the trails inside the Great Smoky Mountains National Park except the Gatlinburg Trail and the Oconaluftee River Trail.
Laurel Falls – Laurel Falls is an extremely popular destination within Great Smoky Mountains National Park due to the fact that it has a paved trail leading up to it. Please note, that while this trail is paved it is not easily traveled by strollers or wheelchairs. There are many sections that have large cracks or gaps that are unpaved. The hike to Laurel Falls and back is 2.6 miles round trip. Hikers will climb roughly 314 feet in elevation before arriving at the 80-foot waterfall.
Grotto Falls – Grotto Falls is an amazing 25 foot waterfall. The trail is scenic and tranquil. Grotto Falls is the only waterfall in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park that you can walk behind. The trail is 2.6 miles round trip and is moderate difficulty.
Cataract Falls – Cataract Falls is an easy, family friendly trail that is perfect for a beginning hiker. It only takes about 15 minutes to hike to the base of the waterfall. The trail is located behind the Sugarlands Visitor Center.
The Sinks – The Sinks is a pretty waterfall that is very easy to access. It is a small waterfall that includes the entire flow of Little River. You can walk right up to a close-up overlook to the waterfall right from the parking lot. Swimming near The Sinks can be dangerous and is not recommended by the Park.
Meigs Falls – Meigs Falls is a 30 foot waterfall that can be seen from a pull-off on Little River Road between Cades Cove and Sugarlands Visitor Center. The view is partially obstructed by trees in the summertime; otherwise the view is good, if not great. The best thing about this waterfall is that you can literally sit in your car and look at it.
Mannis Branch Falls – Mannis Branch Falls can be seen roadside from a pull-off parking area on Little River Road between Cades Cove and Sugarlands Visitor Center. However, most of the waterfall is obstructed in the Spring and Summer.
Place of a Thousand Drips – The Place of a Thousand Drips is a wet weather waterfall is located inside the Great Smoky Mountains National Park on the Roaring Fork Nature Motor Trail at the very end, near post #15. The road is a one-way, winding road that travels about 6 miles through spectacular scenery that you can see from the comfort of your car.
Baskins Creek Falls – also located on the Roaring Fork Nature Motor Trail on the left across from the Trillium Gap Trail, this 3 mile round trip hike includes 953 foot elevation gain. The trail includes creek crossings and the last 50 yards going down to Baskins Creek Falls is fairly steep.
Rhododendron Trail Falls – The waterfalls on Rhododendron Trail are not the easiest to find, however there are 8 named waterfalls and numerous cascades that run alongside the trail. Each waterfall is bigger than the previous in height, although even the small ones are pretty. It is a 1.6 miles round trip, moderate hike to see the waterfalls. Parts of the trail are very narrow, so this trail not be the best to take with children. Also some of the paths leading down to the waterfalls are a little bit steep. This trail is not maintained as frequently as a lot of other trails in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, so you may not be able to view all of the waterfalls.
Rainbow Falls – Named after the rainbow that frequently appears at the base of the waterfall, this 5.6 mile round trip is strenuous. The trail has an elevation gain of 1,500 feet from the trailhead to the waterfall and is pretty steep and rocky. This waterfall is also located in the Great Smoky Mountain National Park.
Ramsey Cascades – This strenuous 8 mile round trip hike will bring you to the tallest, 105 feet, waterfall in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The trail starts on an old roadbed and ascends more than 2,000 feet in elevation. The trail becomes narrower and rockier as you continue your hike and crosses multiple bridges and streams along the way. Rangers caution hikers to not attempt to climb to the top of the falls for their safety, as it is slippery and unsafe.
Lynn Camp Prong Cascades – This mostly easy, 1.4 mile round trip, trail in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park follows an old railroad bed along the Middle Prong of Little River. The trail is mostly wide and flat, although it is narrow in a few sections. The trail can be accessed at the Middle Prong Trailhead at the end of Upper Tremont Road.
Looking for a day trip of waterfalls? Here’s one that and allows you to see five. Only one involves a hike of over a mile, so it is a very family friendly trip.
Attractions
Dollywood – Features 8 roller coasters, fair rides, rides for younger children, play areas and numerous shows. Dollywood also has five themed festivals each year with special shows, activities, and tasting passes.
Dollywood’s Splash Country – seasonal waterpark that features Tennessee’s first water coaster, giant water slides, lazy river, wave pool, and splash pools for children.
Wonderworks – enter the upside down building, pass through the inversion tunnel to realign yourself and you’ll find six Wonder Zones (Extreme Weather, Space Discovery, Physical Challenge, Light & Sound, Wonder Art Gallery and Imagination Lab) in this science based attraction that features over 100 hands-on exhibits.
Pigeon Forge Snow – the first indoor snow facility of its kind in the U.S., offers real snow and indoor snow tubing year round. There’s also a play area where you can build a snowman or fort or even have a snowball fight.
The Island – This is a one-stop-shop to find something that everyone in your family will enjoy. They’ve got rides, shopping, restaurants and live music. The unlimited ride wristband, good for 48 hours, includes 14 rides with the option to add the ropes course and quick jump for an extra fee.
Beyond the Lens & FlyRide – features FlyRide, a sensory experience gives you the feeling of flying over 22 national landmarks. Other attractions include: unique photo opportunities in the Selfie Gallery, over 150 interactive exhibits, 2 minute escape rooms, and virtual reality games.
Crave Golf Club – a candy themed attraction with 2 19-hole mini golf courses (one indoor and one rooftop), escape rooms and mini bowling.
Ripley’s Super Fun Park – features several go-kart tracks including a family track, a carousel, an arcade and bumper boats where you can squirt water at each other. FYI you will get wet. Single and double karts available.
Smoky Mountain Alpine Coaster – experience the longest Alpine Coaster in the United States, with a track of over a mile long.
Top Jump – features a trampoline park, ninja course, extreme arena, dodgeball, climbing walls and arcade.
Museums
Pigeon Forge has several museums including:
- Titanic – guests are given a boarding pass to become an actual passenger aboard the ship and tour the interactive exhibit where you can explore 20 galleries, experience 28-degree water, walk the replica Grand Staircase.
- Hollywood Wax Museum – pose with your Hollywood favorites with fun props and costumes.
- Cooter’s Place & Museum – See a replica of Cooter’s Hazzard County Garage that looks exactly like the one on The Dukes of Hazzard television show, Dukes of Hazzard memorabilia, including original costumes and props from the show, and the General Lee itself. Located at the Shops of Pigeon Forge. Free admission. There are four photo ops, but these have a cost.
- Alcatraz East Crime Museum – Five unique galleries spread over 2 floors which includes a Jail Cell Escape,Old West Shooting Gallery, Modern Police Shooting Range, Heist Laser Maze, Numerous Photo Ops, Top Detective Challenge and famous artifacts (John Dillinger’s car, Al Capone’s rosary, the Bronco OJ Simpson drove in his famous chase and the machine gun Al Pacino used in Scarface.
Shows
Many of the shows have regular shows, but then change to special Christmas themed shows in November and December.
Pirates Voyage Dinner & Show – join Blackbeard and his crews as they battle on land, on deck, in the water, and high above full-sized pirate ships. Features sword fighting, cannons blazing, pirates scaling masts, and swinging ship to ship, fighting to win Davey Jones’ sunken treasure. Fire effects are used during the show. Animal experiences are available.
Dolly Parton’s Stampede – enjoy horse riding stunts, special effects, musical productions, and a country-style four-course feast that ends with dessert. If you arrive early you can walk through the stables to sneak a peek at the horses and visit the Saloon to listen to bluegrass and country music performed live.
Hatfield & McCoy Dinner Feud – become part of the longest running feud in history and help the Hatfields and McCoys try to settle their differences mountain-style. Features singing and dancing, stunts, comedy, live animals, and pyrotechnics. Includes an all-you-can-eat southern homestyle feast.
Paula Deen’s Lumberjack Feud Supper Show – enjoy Pigeon Forge’s only outdoor show with rival lumberjacks facing off against each other in this comedic show. Comes with a country-style meal or you can upgrade to the all-you-can-eat ticket.
Festivals
Several times a year, Pigeon Forge will host different festivals including:
- Corvette Expo in the Smokies – help in March at the LeConte Event Center
- Pigeon Forge Easter Egg Hunt – typically held the Saturday before Easter at Wear Farm City Park
- Pigeon Forge Spring Rod Run – held yearly in April
- Pontiacs in Pigeon Forge Car Show & Swap Meet – held in the end of May/beginning of June at the LeConte Event Center
- Mountain Quiltfest – held in June
- Great Smoky Mountain Jeep Club Invasion – held yearly in August at the LeConte Event Center.
- Pigeon Forge Fall Rod Run – held yearly in September.
- Pigeon Forge Bluegrass Festival – held in September at the LeConte Event Center.
- Pigeon Forge Winterfest – held November through February
- Yama-Con – held in December
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