places to go hiking in the Smokies near Pigeon River Campground

Top 5 Places to go Hiking in the Smokies Near Our Campground

There’s no better way to experience the beauty of the Smokies than to hike right through them! Whether you’re traveling through the Great Smoky Mountains National Park or one of the numerous national forests nearby, there are plenty of trails for you to choose from! To help you plan for your trip, here are some of the top places to go hiking in the Smokies near our campground….

bridge in the Smoky Mountains covered in snow

Top 4 Things to Do During Winter in the Smoky Mountains

We’re looking forward to the upcoming camping season as much as you, but for now, you might be wondering what to do in the Smokies during the winter! If you happen to be in the Smoky Mountains in the winter season, you’ll still find plenty of fun activities to enjoy with your family and friends! Here are the top 4 things to do during winter in the Smoky Mountains:…

best places to see bears smoky mountain wildlife

Top 3 Tips for Viewing Smoky Mountain Wildlife

When people visit the Smoky Mountains, they usually want to take in the incredible mountain views, learn more about the area, and explore in different ways. One thing almost everyone wants to experience is seeing wildlife in person. It’s super exciting when you are driving or hiking, and you happen to see animals in their natural habitat, but you may be wondering what you can do to make it more likely that you’ll see animals on your trip. Here are the top 3 tips for viewing Smoky Mountain wildlife:…

foothills parkway in the smoky mountains

Top 3 Things to Do in the Smoky Mountains During Our Off Season

During the winter months, our Smoky Mountain campground closes down for the season. We know you wish you could visit us year-round, but since you can’t, we thought we could share some of the fun things you can do in the area during our off season! From exploring the national park to visiting one of the most popular cities in the area, you’ll find plenty of fun things to do! Check out these top 3 things to do in the Smoky Mountains during our off season:…

baskins creek waterfall smoky mountains

Top 5 Smoky Mountain Waterfalls You Will Want to See

When you visit the Smoky Mountains, you want to spend as much time outside enjoying the fresh air and natural beauty of the area. What better way to appreciate the Smokies than to get out and hike some trails? One of the most popular features along trails is waterfalls, and there are plenty to find in the area. Check out these top 5 Smoky Mountain waterfalls you will want to see:…

bridge along the gatlinburg trail in the smoky mountains

Top 5 Smoky Mountain Short Hikes That Are Great for Kids

With over 850 miles of hiking trails in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, there is something for every skill level! The area is not only rich in history but also offers some of the most beautiful views for miles around. You’ll have plenty of easy trails to choose from that are sure to keep the younger ones intrigued. To help you decide where to go first, here are 5 Smoky Mountain short hikes that are great for kids:

Hiking in the Smoky Mountains in summer

Top 4 Things To Do in the Smoky Mountains in the Summer

It’s never too early to start planning your summer vacation in the Smokies! The area offers a variety of outdoor adventures that are great for the whole family. From mountain biking to ziplining, there is plenty of fun to be had at this time of year. To help you make the most of your getaway, Pigeon River Campground has put together a guide to some of our favorite things to do in the Smoky Mountains in the summer. Check out all the fun details below:

Smoky Mountains Appalachian Trail marker with hiker in background

3 Fascinating Things to Know About Hiking the Appalachian Trail

The iconic Appalachian Trail in the Smoky Mountains crosses Interstate 40 just a few miles from our Smoky Mountain campground! This hiking trail runs for 2,180 miles from Maine to Georgia, with 94 of those miles in Tennessee, and travels an additional 160 miles along the border of Tennessee and North Carolina. While you might not want to hike the entire distance, it can be fun to experience a part of the longest hiking trail in the world! Here are 3 fascinating things to know about hiking the Appalachian Trail:

white water rafting with SMO

All You Need to Know About White Water Rafting in the Smoky Mountains

If you are looking for an exciting and unique adventure during your Smoky Mountain camping trip, check out a white water rafting excursion at Smoky Mountain Outdoors! This is the perfect way to experience the thrills of white water rapids while enjoying the scenic outdoor beauty of the Smokies. Here is everything you need to know about experiencing the thrill of white water rafting in the Smoky Mountains:

Great Smoky Mountains National Park sign

History of Entrance Fees in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Since the founding of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, visitors have been able to enjoy beautiful views, hundreds of miles of hiking trails, and an extraordinary amount of history for free. Unlike other national parks across the country, you can visit the Smoky Mountains without paying an entrance fee. In order to learn more about why this has always been the case, let’s take a look at the history of the park:…

Starry sky over the Smoky Mountains

5 Easy Star Constellations to Find at Our Smoky Mountain Campground

One of the best parts about staying at the Pigeon River Campground is camping under the stars! Since our campground is near the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and on the border of Cherokee National Forest, there is no light pollution to spoil your view of the night sky! This makes our campground the perfect place to spot some fascinating constellations! Here are 5 easy star constellations to find while stargazing at our Smoky Mountain campground:…

a bite taken out of a smore

6 Tips for Making S’mores Around a Campfire at Our Tennessee Campground

One of the fun activities that you can enjoy while staying at the Pigeon River Campground is gathering around the fire pit in the evening! Of course, no campfire experience is complete without roasting marshmallows and preparing s’mores! While the basic idea is as simple as putting a marshmallow on a stick and toasting it, there are several things you can do to create the best s’mores possible! Here are 6 tips on how to make s’mores around a campfire at our Tennessee campground: