12 Things To Do In Pigeon Forge In Summer

Just a few miles east of Pigeon forge, you’ll find the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. There you’ll find over 850 miles of hiking trails that lead to cascading waterfalls, vibrant, lush ancient forests, diverse collections of wildflowers, and wildlife!

Hiking is the perfect activity to take if you want a break from the hustle and bustle of Pigeon Forge.

If you’re an adventure seeker looking for thrilling activities to do in the Pigeon Forge, then whitewater rafting is perfect for you! What’s great about it is that it can be enjoyed by anyone with little to no experience at all. 

You'll find a variety of white water rafting outfitters in and around the area of Pigeon Forge which offers guided rafting trips on the upper Pigeon River which features class 3 and 4 rapids. As well as a guided trip down the lower Pigeon river which has calmer and smaller waves that are perfect for families with small kids as young as 3 years old.

Summer is extra fun at Dollywood in Pigeon Forge! With Dollywood’s Smoky Mountain Summer Celebration happening in the park, visitors will get to experience exciting and thrilling rides, spectacular shows & entertainment, and the best food!

Plus, expect this year’s summer celebration to be better than last year, as everyone's favorite Sweet Summer Nights drone & fireworks show is back but bigger, brighter, and more beautiful than ever!

There are also plenty of summertime surprises sprinkled across the park. Be sure to catch live performers on the streets and stages of Dollywood to celebrate a season of fun.

Dollywood’s Splash Country is one of the easiest choices when it comes to the best attractions to visit in Pigeon forge in June. 

This one-of-a-kind waterpark features exciting rides, towering water slides, a lazy river, tons of places for relaxation, and of course, great food to keep you energized for more summertime fun!

Whatever type of fun you prefer, you’re sure to have a fun and safe time with their platinum award-winning lifeguards always on the lookout.

See the unique beauty of the Great Smoky Mountains in the summer by riding the alpine coaster. Located just off the Parkway in Pigeon Forge, the Smoky Mountain Alpine Coaster is the longest alpine coaster in the US, which makes it stand out from the rest.

This track is over a mile long and you also have total control of how fast your ride is, so you can always hit the brakes and take in the stunning summertime views of the Smoky Mountains.

Ready to race? Then make sure to check out the many Go-kart tracks in Pigeon Forge. There are various Go-kart spots in Pigeon forge that offer unique action-packed tracks, from elevated go-kart tracks to tracks with challenging winding turns and exciting drops. Some of the best places to go-kart in Pigeon Forge are:

• The Track Family Fun Park
• Xtreme Racing Center of Pigeon Forge
• Blake Jones Racing Center

Is your family itching to get into the great outdoors for a vacation trip, but maybe not so enthusiastic about staying in expensive hotels. We recommend you go spend your summer at one of the many cabins in Pigeon Forge.

Ranging from luxurious to rustic, these cabins will put you right at the heart of the Smoky Mountains and are just a few minutes' drive away from the best attraction.

If you want to spend time in a place that has it all this summer, one of the best places to visit is the Island in Pigeon Forge. It's great for adults and kids alike as it has a little bit of everything for everyone. Explore and go shopping at over 60 retail stores in the area and enjoy plenty of unique attractions that the whole family can enjoy.

Exploring the Island can surely work up an appetite, don’t worry because there are many restaurants in the area that serve a variety of yummy meals and snacks. The best attraction to visit are :

• The Great Smoky Mountain Wheel
• The Island’s state-of-the-art show fountain
• State-of-the-art show fountain
• Island Mirror Maze

One of the best and simplest ways to experience what the Smoky Mountains and Pigeon Forge have to offer in the summer is by having a driving trip. With so many routes to take, you can lose yourself in such gorgeous sights, beautiful foliage, and interesting wildlife. Some of the best scenic routes that you can drive on your summer vacation are;

• Cades Cove Loop Road
• Cataloochee Valley
• Newfound Gap Road
• Foothills Parkway

If you want a break from the usual sightseeing and hiking, go zorbing at the Outdoor Gravity Park in Pigeon Forge. This one-of-a-kind attraction originated in New Zealand and is the first and only zorbing park in the United States.

The “OGO” as they call the plastic sphere can fit up to 4 people inside and cold water will be added in the summer and warm water in winter. Make sure to book online if you want to get the best rates and to reserve a spot. 

If you’re done exploring the great outdoors and looking for a place to cool off inside, better head to the Pigeon Forge Snow which is open year-round. This indoor snow park is one of the first indoor snow facilities in the USA, offering real snow that never melts even in the summer!

Thanks to their state-of-the-art snow-making technology you don’t have to wait for the winter to go snow tubing and all kinds of wintry excitement.

For visitors looking for a unique indoor amusement park experience in Pigeon Forge in summer, WonderWorks offers a truly wild, wacky, and wonderful adventure for the whole family to enjoy. Enter this upside-down building and explore the many exciting activities including: 

• Wonder Zones: filled with interactive exhibits with themes like Natural disasters, Imagination lab, lights & sound, space discovery, and more.
• Rope course
• Laser tag
• Arcade
• 4D XD Motion Theater