Dollywood
- Home
- Attractions
- Dollywood
Dollywood in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, is a fantastic destination for RV enthusiasts. The theme park is jointly owned by country music icon Dolly Parton and Herschend Family Entertainment. Dollywood is located in the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains, paying tribute to the area of Parton's birth while also being the perfect spot for a sprawling theme park that can accommodate the large groups of guests that come from all over the country for a day of fun.
Dollywood began as an 1880s-themed attraction called Silver Dollar City. In 1982, when Dolly Parton did an interview expressing a long-held desire to have a theme park in the place of her birth, the owners of Silver Dollar City knew they did not want to compete with Parton and instead offered to partner up in what became Dollywood. The theme park opened in 1986, welcoming 1.3 million guests in its first season, a number that was double the number of visitors Silver Dollar City had in the year prior. The park's popularity only grew in the years since and is now considered by many to be one of the best theme parks in the United States.
How to Get There
Dollywood is located about 35 miles south of Knoxville, Tennessee. The nearest airport is McGhee Tyson Airport in Knoxville. Nashville International Airport is about three and a half hours from Dollywood. There are free shuttles available from Dollywood's DreamMore Resort.
Rent an RV For Your Visit to Dollywood
Visit Dollywood
Dollywood has been voted the #1 theme park in the United States by Traveladvisor and has received the Golden Ticket award for being the friendliest. The park has over 50 rides spread out over 160 acres, with stunning views of the surrounding Great Smoky Mountains. The area includes the main theme park as well as the Dollywood Splash Country waterslide park. You will also get to take in entertaining musical and theater shows that give a nod to all the types of music that go into the unique stylings of Dolly Parton.
Dollywood is open from March through December while Splash Country is open from mid-May through mid-August and then on the weekends as well as other select dates through mid-September. The most popular times to visit Dollywood are in the spring and summer as well as for special holiday-themed events.
Ticket Information
Tickets for Dollywood can be purchased at its website. There, you can purchase tickets for the main theme park, the water park, or both combined. Regular theme park tickets range from $89 to $119, depending on how many days you plan to visit the park in a row. Adding Splash Country tickets to your purchase can be done for just $10 while Splash Country tickets on their own range from $54.95 to $84.95. Season tickets for the parks, purchased together or individually, are also available.
Family-Friendly Options
Dollywood was built with the intent of bringing joy to the entire family. For those with little ones who are not yet ready to enjoy the larger rides, the Country Fair area of Dollywood is designed with small children in mind. Here you will find bumper cars, swings, flying elephants, and a lot more. Wildwood Grove is another spot to take small children, and each ride also features a Parent Swap area. This means that the entire family can enter the queue for a ride together, the parents can take turns going on the attraction with larger children, and the whole family can then meet back up together.
Other ride attractions that are ideal for small children, as well as the rest of the family, are in The Village. Here is where you will find a carousel and the Dollywood Express steam train.
Older children will have a blast at Wilderness Pass. Here, you will find 30-foot-tall towers that allow for a safe 25-foot free fall and the first dual-launch family roller coaster in the United States.
Dollywood features a wide array of shows that provide seated entertainment for the entire family. One such show is the Eagle Mountain Sanctuary. This show allows you and your loved ones to get up close to birds of prey that are cared for by the American Eagle Foundation. During the show, you learn about the birds, how they are cared for, and what goes into their rescue efforts.
There are also family-appropriate music shows for a variety of tastes. Live bluegrass, country, gospel, doo-wop, and singer-songwriter genres are all well-represented.
How to Make the Most of Your Visit
There are so many attractions between the two parks that it would be pretty difficult to get to them all in one day. Instead of trying to rush around and get it all in at once, spreading it out over two or three days would be best. A good idea would be to spend the first day at Dollywood's main theme park, getting a feel for all that the park has to offer. Go on some rides, take in some entertainment, and enjoy the fantastic food available on the premises.
Cool off on your second day at the water park and spend your third day catching everything at Dollywood that you did not get to on the first day. Spending some time at the spa in Dollywood's DreamMore Resort & Spa to rejuvenate between each day's activities will have you prepped for another full day of fun.
Dollywood Accommodations
On Site Accommodations
Parking is available for RVs and oversized vehicles for $27.35. You will park in the Permit Parking lot, and transportation is available from trams to the front gate of Dollywood. If you prefer to stay at a hotel, you can book a stay at Dollywood DreamMore Resort & Spa or Dollywood's Heartsong Lodge or rent a cabin at Dollywood Smoky Mountain Cabins for a fee.
Campgrounds Nearby
Located in Pigeon Forge, Camp Riverslanding is close to it all, making it a family-friendly choice. The Great Smoky Mountains, of course, are right around the corner from the campground. There are tons of extra attractions near the park as well though, including the Titanic Museum Attraction and the Great Smoky Mountain Wheel.
If you’re looking for a little more luxury than your average RV park, this is the place for you! The location is unbeatable; the views from the campground are breathtaking, and it’s only a couple minutes from the Great Smoky Mountain State Park. The amenities are absolutely top-notch, with all kinds of adventures awaiting you onsite. Last but not least, the facilities are what you would expect from any five-star resort when it comes to cleanliness and upkeep.
As you might have guessed, our first Park is nestled in the foothills of the Smoky Mountains, creating a scenic place to stay. If you’re looking for a private campground to enjoy the peace and quiet that the mountains bring, Foothills RV Park is definitely worth checking out. The great location doesn’t only bring serenity though, it also brings convenience! Campers at this park are only a few minutes from all the best attractions of the Smoky Mountains.
Activities Near Dollywood
Things to Do
Fishing
Some popular options include trout fishing at Appalachian Springs and whitewater river rafting at Smoky Mountain Outdoors.
Helicopter tours
There are plenty of activities to partake in near Dollywood in the town of Pigeon Forge, like taking scenic helicopter tours.
Horseback riding
Another fun activity is horseback or carriage riding at Gold Rush Stables.
National Parks
National Sites
Weather, Safety & Accessibility
Weather & Packing
Some attractions at Dollywood may be affected by the weather, so it is important to check Dollywood's website for updates on any temporary closures that may be occurring before you visit. Also, if visiting during the summer months, be sure to wear clothing appropriate for the weather and to protect yourself with sunscreen. Dollywood provides free water at many locations throughout the park to ensure that guests stay well-hydrated.
Safety & Accessibility
While Dollywood is considered a safe environment for all guests, it is still important to be alert and aware of your surroundings. There can be large crowds at Dollywood, so make sure that you have a plan in place ahead of your visit should you and your loved ones get separated at any point.
For guests with accessibility needs, the Ride Accessibility Center helps guests enter a ride through an accessible entrance. You can also be provided with detailed information about rider requirements that can help you make well-informed decisions about how to most comfortably and safely enjoy the attractions.
Conclusion
Dollywood is a special theme park nestled in the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains that pays tribute to music superstar Dolly Parton and the rich heritage of the area that helped make her into the icon she is today. Visiting the park helps guests see some of the beauty and splendor that this part of the United States has to offer.
FAQ
There are a great number of camping options in Pigeon Forge. Some notable options would be Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park and the Riverbend Campground.
Parking is available for RVs at Dollywood, but for overnight RV stays, you will want to check out one of the many RV parks in the area. Some of them, such as the Pigeon Forge/Gatlinburg KOA Holiday Park, are within a mile of Dollywood.
Visitors to Dollywood may want to plan for a multiday visit as there is too much to see and experience in just a single day.
Dollywood is a theme park built with families in mind, and it is a very family-friendly destination.
Aside from service animals, dogs are not permitted in Dollywood. However, the park does offer accommodations for pets at Doggywood, which is located adjacent to Guest Services at the front gate. Reservations are recommended, and pets need to be claimed no later than 15 minutes past that day's closing time at the park. Overnight stays for pets are not permitted.