Family vacations during the summer are very popular in Pigeon Forge TN. What better to do than spend your summer vacationing in the Smoky Mountains and Pigeon Forge TN. Imagin it, how much fun could you have if you rented one of our luxurious Pigeon Forge cabins. You can relax on cool nights, enjoy the sunny days and enjoy the natural beauty of nature. There are over a dozen ways to enjoy being outdoors Pigeon Forge TN. Ideas are listed below.

Rock and Roll by rafting the Big Pigeon River. The Big Pigeon River is surrounded by the Great Smoky Mountain National Park and the Pisgah National Forest. Class III and IV rapids set the pace with names like “Vegamatic” and “Razor Blade.” Going rafting during the day provide cool water, and tons of thrills and laughs with beautiful natural surroundings The best part of rafting is that there is no previous experience necessary and any one can do it.

Tubing in the Great Smoky Mountains is another popular activity. The West Prong Little Pigeon River runs through beautiful Pigeon Forge TN and would provide anyone who likes to float tons of fun at a slow pace. The river runs through a gorge formed by the Cherokee National Forest and the Great Smoky Mountains. Tubing on the river is the perfect idea for families with younger children.

Bait your hook and go fishing in the Great Smoky Mountains. Summertime is the best time for fishing in the Smoky Mountains. You have tons of “fishing holes” to choose from in East Tennessee. From stream fishing in Pigeon Forge to one of the area’s 11 lakes, there’s somewhere for everyone. Anglers can fish for largemouth or small mouth bass as well as crappie and bluegill. Just find a peaceful mountain stream and practice your new skills. Rocky Top Outfitters offers a wide variety of ways for anglers of all ages to enjoy fishing.

Go see some ancient mountains in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. The residents of Pigeon Forge, Tennessee will openly agree that the Smoky Mountains are some of the oldest mountains in the world. The Great Smoky Mountain National Park is not far from Pigeon Forge and is one of America’s natural treasures. The Great Smoky Mountain National Park was established to protect a portion of the ancient mountain range. Almost 95% of the Park is forested, and 25% of that is old growth. It is a beautiful natural paradise.

Hike or walk in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The park is nothing short of a dream for hikers. The park is home to more than 800 miles of trails that are just waiting for you. The trails in the Park run along side river bed and logging trails and have gorgeous views of cascading waterfalls with mountain pools. Laurel Falls is a favorite to many of the park visitors and it only takes 45 minutes to get there with paved trails all the way. The whole family can go together and enjoy the beauty of Laurel Falls.

Visit a secret valley. Cades Cove, is a 4000 acre open space located in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Cades Cove is mainly known for its beauty and peacefulness. The valley provides the perfect mix of forests and meadows with pioneer cabins and barns. The Cades Cove Visitor Center gives visitors a menu of vacation activities suited for every age group.
Live the history of the Great Smoky Mountain National Park. In addition to the natural
beauty the Great Smoky Mountain National Park, it has over 70 historic buildings scattered all throughout the Park. Cades Cove is the heart of the National Park. Cades Cove is home to many species of animals, log cabins, barns, churches, and mills still stand in the Cove today in honor of the early pioneers. Cades Cove is truly an eleven-mile one-way road outdoor museum for everyone to enjoy.

Take the kids for a bike ride. The area offers an extensive variety of biking trails for everyone to enjoy. The trails provide tons of fun for beginners and for experienced bikers. The biking trails are on scenic secondary roads which any cyclists will love. The paved trails weave through the beautiful forests along meadows, over swinging bridges and past country stores. Kids of all ages will enjoy riding their bikes on these trails. There are also many pit stops along the way so you can cool down with some delicious ice cream.

Ride some trails. Not just by bike riding but also by horseback. Horseback riding the perfect choice for families. You can ride through Cades Cove on horseback and by going to the Cades Cove Riding Stables. At the Cades Cove Riding Stables guides are available on a first-come first-served basis. For six generations the McCampbell’s family has been providing horseback excursions with storytelling for a bonus treat. The guides will take you along streams, over meadows and down mountain paths. Bring your kids along for this one because children under the age of six can ride with an adult.

Do not feed the wildlife. Cades Cove has a picnic area near the riding stables for you to enjoy and picnic with your entire family. Grills and tables are also provided for you and lunches are available from Apple Valley Farms Country Store. Signs are posted all throughout the entire park state that no one should ever feed the wildlife and you must not leave any trash out. Bears like to stay in the area a lot and it is illegal to feed them.

Hike and then spend the night. The hike to Mt. LeConte is a dream hike that many people have discovered. The summit is 6,593 feet above sea level, which makes it the third highest peak in the Appalachians. There is a wilderness lodge at the top and you can also get refreshments. If you would like to sleepover at the top of Mt. LeConte it would be best to make reservations a year in advance.

Enjoy a bonfire. Walden’s Creek Riding Stables provides the Smokies with the spirit of the old west. During the day riders can enjoy trails, for all skill levels, to the natural beauty of the 500-acre ranch. Each week, during the summer, they offer a free cookout, with frontier style entertainment. The festivities begin with a wagon train hayride and they can enjoy non-stop cowboy antics and a pretend Western shoot-out with storytelling. For your information: the supper is free for those that have ridden at the stables during the week. At the end of the night you get to roast marshmallows over a 14-foot long open bonfire.

Bike in the mountains. Mountain bikers will discover both trail variety and natural challenges surrounding Pigeon Forge. Mountain biking is limited in the Smoky Mountains National Park, so the best bet for good trails is Big South Fork National Recreation Area. Trails for mountains bikers include marked off-road bike trails, equestrian trails and 4-wheel drive roads. Terrain varies offering wilderness challenges. The Big South Fork of the Cumberland River provides a wide range of natural and historic features.

Pigeon Forge has vacation packages, discounts for various activities and dining available online. More than a dozen family packages have been created for you to enjoy also. Visit https://www.mypigeonforge.com/ for more information about the

Need More Ideas?

• USA Raft: They offer rafting adventures on Upper and Lower Pigeon Rivers, as well as on the Nolichucki River, which is also located in Tennessee. Call them at 1-800-USA-RAFT (1-800-872-7238) or you can visit them online at www.usaraft.com.
• Rafting in the Smokies. The River Run headquarters in Pigeon Forge TN. They also run the Ococee River and Nantahala River. Call them at 1-800-PRO-RAFT (1-800-776-7238) or visit them online at www.raftinginthesmokies.com.
• Rocky Top Outfitter. For more information please call them at 1-865-429-3474 or check out their website at www.rockytopoutfitter.com.
• Great Smoky Mountain National Park. Visitor information is on a recorded message. Call them at 1-865-436-1200 or online at www.nps.gov/grsm.
  Cades Cover Riding Stables. They offer hayrides with a park ranger as well. Hayrides are $8.00 per person for a two-hour ride. The hayrides are offered June through October. Call 1-865-448-6268 for more details.
• Walden’s Creek Riding Stables. Visit their website at https://www.waldencreekstables.com/ or call them at 1-888-577-4901 for more information.
• Day Hiker. You can organize a guided Mt. LeConte adventure by contacting Joe Guenther at 1-865-908-9942 or by checking out the website at https://www.dayhiker.com/.
  Big South Fork National Recreation Area. The Bandy Creek Visitor Center can be contacted at 1-423-286-7275 or 1-606-376-5073 or by going online to www.nps.gov/biso/.
• Mt. LeConte Lodge. Reservations start being made each year starting October.
• Mountain View Canoe Rentals. You can rent your very own canoes and tubes. If you need more information you can call them at 1-865-428-6112.
• River Romp. For renting tubes in the mountains. 1-888-390-1190.