Camping in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee

A complete guide to camping in Pigeon Forge

Pigeon Forge campground surrounded by Tennessee wilderness

Photo Credit: M Miller

Overview

Pigeon Forge sits at 1,017 feet along the West Prong of the Little Pigeon River, five miles north of Gatlinburg and 12 miles from Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The town is built around tourism, with Dollywood theme park, dinner theaters, and the Parkway strip of attractions drawing millions of visitors annually. The camping scene runs parallel to the entertainment, with campgrounds lining the river corridors and mountain roads surrounding the town.

Camp Riverslanding and Riverbend Campground provide riverside camping along the Little Pigeon River. Pigeon Forge RV Resort and Creekside RV Park serve the RV crowd with full hookups. Clabough's Campground operates a family-oriented campground on the north side of town. Gateway RV Campground and Foothills RV Park and Cabins add more options along the highway corridors.

Inside Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Elkmont Campground along the Little River sits 15 minutes from Pigeon Forge via the Sugarlands entrance. It is the largest developed campground on the Tennessee side of the park with 200 sites in a deep forest setting. The park's Cades Cove loop road is accessible from Pigeon Forge in 40 minutes, and the Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail begins in neighboring Gatlinburg. Pigeon Forge provides a more family-entertainment-oriented base than quieter Gatlinburg for Smokies camping.

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Weather & Best Seasons

Best months: April through June and September through October

Spring brings wildflowers through the Smokies and comfortable temperatures in the 60s and 70s. Summer is warm and humid with afternoon thunderstorms in the mountains. Fall color peaks in mid to late October, bringing the heaviest traffic of the year. January averages 36 degrees with occasional snow at higher elevations. The Pigeon Forge entertainment strip operates year-round with holiday events in November and December.

Season

Things to Do in Pigeon Forge

Visit Dollywood theme park for rides, Appalachian craft demonstrations, and seasonal festivals. The park sits against the mountain backdrop east of town. The spring Festival of Nations and fall Harvest Festival draw the largest crowds.
Drive Cades Cove loop road (40 minutes from Pigeon Forge) for wildlife viewing in a broad mountain valley. Black bears, white-tailed deer, and wild turkey are regularly visible. Historic churches, cabins, and a working grist mill line the 11-mile one-way loop.
Hike Laurel Falls in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, a 2.6-mile roundtrip paved trail to an 80-foot waterfall. The most accessible major waterfall from the Pigeon Forge side of the park.
Ride the Pigeon Forge SkyWheel for aerial views of the Smokies and the Parkway strip. The 200-foot observation wheel operates in the Island entertainment complex.
Tube the Little Pigeon River through town. Outfitters rent tubes and provide shuttle service. The river runs through the center of Pigeon Forge with a gentle current suitable for families.
Explore the Great Smoky Mountains from the Sugarlands Visitor Center entrance (15 minutes from Pigeon Forge). Chimney Tops, Alum Cave, and the Appalachian Trail are accessible from this side.

Camping Tips for Pigeon Forge

The Pigeon Forge Parkway (US 441) gridlocks on summer weekends and October color weekends. Use the Veteran's Boulevard bypass or back roads to avoid the main strip when driving to the national park.
Elkmont Campground in the park requires reservations months ahead for summer and October. Book on Recreation.gov as soon as the window opens. The campground includes access to the synchronous firefly area.
Bear activity is high throughout the Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg corridor. All food must be stored in vehicles or bear-proof containers at every campground. Bears regularly walk through camping areas.
Dollywood operates seasonally with special events (Festival of Nations in spring, Smoky Mountain Summer, Harvest Festival in fall, Smoky Mountain Christmas). Campgrounds fill for these event weekends.
Camp Riverslanding offers a shuttle service to downtown Pigeon Forge, avoiding the parking and traffic hassle on the strip.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg for camping?

Pigeon Forge is more family-entertainment-oriented with Dollywood, dinner theaters, and the Parkway strip of attractions. Gatlinburg is smaller, closer to the national park entrance, and more mountain-town in character. Pigeon Forge campgrounds tend to be larger and more RV-friendly. Both provide access to Great Smoky Mountains National Park within 15 to 20 minutes.

How far is Pigeon Forge from the national park?

The Sugarlands entrance to Great Smoky Mountains National Park is about 15 minutes south of Pigeon Forge via Gatlinburg. Cades Cove is 40 minutes via the Laurel Creek Road from the Sugarlands entrance. The park does not charge an entrance fee.

Which campground is best for families in Pigeon Forge?

Camp Riverslanding offers riverside sites with a shuttle to town, avoiding traffic hassles. Clabough's Campground has a family atmosphere on the north end. Pigeon Forge RV Resort and Creekside RV Park provide full amenities for RV families. Inside the park, Elkmont Campground is the most developed option with 200 sites.

Are there bears near Pigeon Forge campgrounds?

Black bears are common throughout the Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg corridor. The national park estimates 1,500 bears in the Smokies. Bears regularly enter private campgrounds looking for food. All food, coolers, and scented items must be stored in vehicles or bear-proof containers at every campground in the area.

When is Dollywood open?

Dollywood operates from mid-March through early January with scheduled closures between seasons. Peak events include Festival of Nations (spring), Smoky Mountain Summer, Harvest Festival (September through October), and Smoky Mountain Christmas (November through January). The park closes most Tuesdays and Wednesdays outside of summer.

Spring	Mar-May	61°F	49°F	Spring brings wildflowers through the Smokies and comfortable temperatures in the 60s and 70s.
Summer	Jun-Aug	78°F	66°F	Summer is warm and humid with afternoon thunderstorms in the mountains.
Fall	Sep-Nov	61°F	49°F	Fall color peaks in mid to late October, bringing the heaviest traffic of the year.
Winter	Dec-Feb	44°F	32°F	January averages 36 degrees with occasional snow at higher elevations.

Camping in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee

Overview

Weather & Best Seasons

Featured Parks in Pigeon Forge

Camp Riverslanding

Creekside RV Park

Pigeon Forge RV Resort

Gateway RV Campground

Nearby National Parks

Great Smoky Mountains National Park