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:…

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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:…

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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:…

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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:…

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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:…

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Christmas lights in Gatlinburg

Top 5 Things to Do in the Smoky Mountains in December

While our campground may be closed for the season, you’ll still find plenty of great reasons to visit the Smoky Mountains this December! With everything from festive holiday events to unique shopping experiences, there is truly something for all members of the family! Whether you’re planning to visit in early December or spend Christmas in the Smokies, you’ll love this magical time of year! Here are the top 5 things to do in the Smoky Mountains in December:…

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Ripley's aquarium in Gatlinburg

Top 5 Things to Do in the Smoky Mountains

The Smoky Mountains are not only home to the most visited national park in the country, but plenty of exciting attractions for all ages! You’ll find all the action in the park just a short drive from our beautiful campground, and all the fun in downtown Gatlinburg is a nice scenic drive away! So, set up a tent, park your RV or stay in one of our camping cabins this season and enjoy everything that the region has to offer! Here are the top 5 things to do in the Smoky Mountains:…

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river in the smoky mountains

6 Steps for Planning a Cherokee National Forest Camping Trip

Whether you’re a camping enthusiast looking for a new adventure or you’re ready to take your family camping for the very first time, you couldn’t pick a better spot than Pigeon River Campground. We are perfectly situated right on the border of Cherokee National Forest, so you can expect to enjoy the perfect camping experience. To help you get started, we have put together 6 steps for planning an unforgettable Cherokee National Forest camping trip:…

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deer in the smoky mountains

7 Animals in the Smoky Mountains You Might See on Your Trip

The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is home to a variety of wildlife. If you love animals, then you’ll definitely want to get out in the park and try to spot all of them! When you visit, there are some you’re more likely to spot over others. We want to share some of the top animals in the Smoky Mountains you will probably see when you explore. Here are 7 animals in the Smoky Mountains you might see on your trip:…

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jumping pillow at Pigeon River Campground

Top 5 Smoky Mountain Campground Amenities Guests Love

Our campground in the Smokies not only offers a spectacular location along the Pigeon River, but lots of fantastic amenities that enhance your camping experience! With everything from a jumping pillow for the kids to a refreshing swimming pool, you could spend an entire vacation without leaving our property! Here are the top 5 Smoky Mountain campground amenities that guests love:…

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tent camping near Gatlinburg

Top 5 Reasons to Go Camping Near Gatlinburg TN

With a mild climate, breathtaking scenery, and world famous wildlife, the greater Gatlinburg area is one the best places in the country to take a camping trip. If you’ve never gone camping near Gatlinburg TN before, you have a lot to look forward to! Our Smoky Mountain campground is a nice, scenic drive from Gatlinburg and all it has to offer. Here are the top 5 reasons to go camping at Pigeon River Campground near Gatlinburg:  …

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