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:…

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:

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:…

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:…

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:…

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:…

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 spring 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:…

Anakeesta Mountain in Gatlinburg TN

4 Fun Outdoor Attractions in Gatlinburg TN to Enjoy This Winter

If the cool winter months have you missing the pleasures of camping and the great outdoors, head over to Gatlinburg for some fun outdoor activities! Since the temperatures in the Smokies are generally moderate throughout the winter months, you can still enjoy being outside among nature with hiking, skiing, snow tubing, and plenty of other wonderful activities! Here are 4 fun outdoor attractions in Gatlinburg TN that you can enjoy this winter:…

A black bear and two cubs walk across a highway to reach the other side of the road.

Top 3 Things to Know About the I-40 Pigeon River Gorge Wildlife Crossing Project

The popularity of the Great Smoky Mountains and Cherokee National Forest has grown over the last 20 years, both in terms of population and tourism. This has led to a 43 percent increase in traffic volume on Interstate 40 in the Pigeon River Gorge in Western North Carolina and East Tennessee. Unfortunately, this growth has also led to a rapid increase in wildlife mortality caused by vehicle collisions! Now is the time to find solutions to this problem with the Safe Passage Coalition, a group working together for safe wildlife passage across I-40. Here are the top 3 things to know about their I-40 Pigeon River Gorge Wildlife Crossing Project:…

2 small black bear cubs playing in tall grass in the Smoky Mountains

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:…

little river road in the smoky mountains

Top 5 Reasons You Should Visit the Tennessee Welcome Center

The Pigeon River Campground offers guests the fantastic opportunity to camp among the beautiful environment of the Great Smoky Mountains! One thing you might not know about our location is that we are just across Highway 40 from the Tennessee Welcome Center. This friendly and convenient information center is the perfect place to begin your exploration of the Smoky Mountains! Here are the top 5 reasons why you should visit the Tennessee Welcome Center at the start of your camping trip to the Smokies:…