RV travel makes exploring Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, and the surrounding area affordable and convenient. A typical Class A or Class C camper ranges from $85 all the way up to $550 per night. If you prefer a smaller Class B, expect to pay at least $85. Towable RVs are great for budget travelers. You can find a fifth wheel for as little as $55 a day. Travel trailers near Pigeon Forge are just as affordable, costing as little as $60 a night.
Pigeon Forge is an excellent base for exploring the South. If you have a few days to spare, take a road trip to Huntsville, Alabama. It's around 220 miles, depending on the route you choose. Explore standout Tennessee cities like Chattanooga on the way. Once in Huntsville, you'll quickly find out why it's called "Rocket City." Visit the U.S. Space and Rocket Center, where the entire family can experience space camp.
Gatlinburg, Tennessee is just 7.5 miles from Pigeon Forge, making it the perfect day excursion. The cities are so close that you can ride an inexpensive trolley between the two. Gatlinburg is also right at the base of the Great Smoky Mountains and all the outdoor activities it offers. Most of the city's shopping, dining, and other attractions lie along the Strip. In less than one mile, you'll find everything from restaurants to skilled artisans hawking their wares. There are plenty of benches if you want to stop, catch your breath, and enjoy a few minutes of Gatlinburg's spectacular scenery.
About 215 miles west of Gatlinburg, Nashville offers big city amenities with a side of Southern charm. Known as "Music City," Nashville is the home of country music. The famed Grand Ole Opry is here, along with the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum. You can catch a show at the Ryman and eat some of Nashville's famous hot chicken. If sports are more your speed, Nashville is home to the Tennessee Titans, the Nashville SC, and the Nashville Predators.
Pigeon Forge's history stretches back to the late 1700s, when it was part of North Carolina. Settlers built homesteads here because of the rich soil and beautiful location near the mountains. Thousands of passenger pigeons also made their homes in the area, which is how the city and nearby Little Pigeon River got their names. Isaac Love built an iron forge in the early 1800s. According to legend, the glow from the forge was visible for miles. This accounts for the "forge" part of Pigeon Forge.
Isaac Love's father-in-law, Mordecai Lewis, came to the area first. He received a land grant for the location where Love later built his forge. In 1830, this became the site of the Old Mill. The mill still operates, and you can visit for sweets, pantry staples, pastries, bread, flour, and more.
Today, Pigeon Forge is a popular vacation destination thanks to its proximity to the Great Smoky Mountains. Around 6,400 people live here permanently, but millions of visitors pass through each year. Dolly Parton's Dollywood remains one of the biggest attractions. In addition to the main theme park, which has more than 50 rides, there's a resort with a full spa and a water park called Dollywood's Splash Country. After a day of fun at Dollywood, you can stop at the Titanic Museum Attraction. Owned by John Joslyn, who did an ocean dive to explore the actual Titanic, this museum has hundreds of artifacts from the doomed ship.
Many outdoor destinations are nearby if you want to hike, bike, or go horseback riding. Before leaving Pigeon Forge, be sure to stop at the Applewood Farmhouse Restaurant for some comfort food — try the apple fritters!
Knoxville, Tennessee - Knoxville has a vibrant, walkable downtown area filled with shopping, live music, and Southern cuisine. Hop on the Three Rivers Rambler for a train ride tour.
100+ Restaurants
60+ Gas Stations
7 Rest Areas Nearby
20+ Campgrounds and RV Parks
1 Nearby National Forests
2 Nearby State Parks
13 Dump Stations within 20 miles
Maryville, Tennessee - Once regarded as an industrial area rife with pollution, Maryville is now a green oasis. Enjoy the natural beauty of the city's Bicentennial Greenbelt Park, and then tour the Sam Houston Historic Schoolhouse, which dates back to 1794.
30 Restaurants
20+ Gas Stations
2 Rest Areas Nearby
12+ Campgrounds and RV Parks
1 Nearby National Forests
1 Nearby State Parks
10 Dump Stations within 20 miles
Chattanooga, Tennessee - Known as "Scenic City," Chattanooga is a river city with a long history. Visit Civil War battlefields, cruise the river in a historic steamer, and marvel at Ruby Falls, a 144-foot underground waterfall.
200+ Restaurants
100+ Gas Stations
6 Nearby Rest Areas
20+ Campgrounds and RV Parks
1 Nearby National Forests
5 Nearby State Parks
11 Dump Stations within 20 miles
Pigeon Forge sits at the doorstep of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The majestic mountains loom over the city, providing a great view from every angle. To experience the beauty firsthand, take your RV just 13 miles south. There are winding trails to hike, outlooks with panoramic views, and swimming holes to cool off in. The park's multiple campgrounds have RV sites with running water and flush toilets. There are no electric hookups.
Mammoth Cave National Park is in Kentucky, about 230 miles north of Pigeon Forge. There, you can tour one of the world's longest cave systems. Natural — and sometimes deeply weird — rock formations hang from the cave ceilings and spring from the floors. Endangered bats live deep in the caverns. Above ground, you can rent boats to enjoy the Green River. The official campground has spots for RVs, a dump station, and potable water.
Travel 273 miles to West Virginia's New River Gorge National Park, home to an 876-foot steel bridge that stretches across the river. Aside from the famous bridge, you'll find waterfalls, trails that rise more than 1,400 feet above the gorge, abandoned lumber mills, and ghost towns. The park's nine campgrounds offer a mix of RV sites and tent spots. Your pets are welcome!
Panther Creek State Park is a popular destination around an hour's drive north of Pigeon Forge. It has 17 trails for biking and hiking near Cherokee Lake. There's a campground with water, a dump station, laundry facilities, and a store. The RV sites have 20-, 30-, and 50-amp hookups.
Just past Knoxville lies one of Tennessee's best parks. Big Ridge State Park covers 3,687 forested acres of the Appalachian Ridge and Valley. Go boating, swim in Big Ridge Lake, or just relax on its sandy shores. There are 50 campsites that can accommodate RVs up to 35 feet long. Each one offers electrical hookups, water, and a picnic table. The campground has a dump station for guest use.
With 800 miles of shore, Norris Dam State Park is one of RVshare's top picks for boating and fishing. It also offers trails for horseback riding, biking, and hiking. You can choose between two campgrounds with dump stations, electrical hookups, and water.
The Appalachian Trail spans more than 2,000 miles of the Eastern United States. Around 71 miles go directly through the Great Smoky Mountains just south of Pigeon Forge, making it one of Tennessee's most important landmarks.
Craighead Caverns are 62 miles west of Pigeon Forge. The largest underground lake in the United States -- that we know of -- is here. There are numerous other subterranean formations to check out.
Cades Cove is a valley within the boundaries of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. European pioneers settled there in the 1800s. Many of their buildings remain.
Synchronous Fireflies - Each June, thousands of fireflies converge in the Smoky Mountains and light up in sync. You can get tickets to view this unexplained natural phenomenon through a lottery system.
Pigeon Forge's Winter Carnival of Magic - This event takes place in early March. Magicians from around the world gather for stage shows, competitions, demonstrations, and lectures.
Craftsmen's Fair - Every July and October, the Gatlinburg Convention Center hosts the Craftsmen's Fair. More than 200 booths feature products from artists around the country.
Douglas Lake - This lake is an easy 30-mile drive from Pigeon Forge. It's known for its bass and crappie fishing.
Laurel Falls Trail - This is a three-mile hike that leads to a stunning 80-foot waterfall.
Clingmans Dome - Hike to the highest point in the Smoky Mountains on this steep paved trail. The view at the top is spectacular.
Pine Mountain RV Park is one of many great campgrounds near Pigeon Forge. The campsites have full hookups, cable TV access, and Wi-Fi. It's just blocks away from the Parkway. Foothills RV Park and Cabins has full hookups, Wi-Fi, and access to a trolley for easy travel to Pigeon Forge's attractions. Smoky Bear Campground and RV Park is in Gatlinburg, right by the entrance to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. It has a pool, laundry facilities, a store, and hookups.
There are quite a few dump stations near Pigeon Forge. The Flying J Travel Center in nearby Knoxville offers low-cost dumping as well as RV maintenance. The Petro Stopping Center on Watt Road offers maintenance, laundry facilities, and a restaurant in addition to its dump station.
If you need to store your RV near Pigeon Forge, Knoxville Star Storage has 24-hour surveillance, secure fencing, and keypad access. Knoxville Sutherland Self Storage offers RV parking for $144 per month. However, your first month costs $72. Twin Spires Self Storage is conveniently located off the interstate. It protects your RV with gated access and security cameras.
Motorhomes are divided into Class A, B, and C vehicles. On average expect to pay $185 per night for Class A, $149 per night for Class B and $179 per night for Class C. Towable RVs include 5th Wheel, Travel Trailers, Popups, and Toy Hauler. On average, in Pigeon Forge, TN, the 5th Wheel trailer starts at $70 per night. Pricing for the Travel Trailer begins at $60 per night, and the Popup Trailer starts at $65 per night.
Do you need to be a certain age to rent an RV in Pigeon Forge?Yes. The minimum age is 25 to be eligible to get an RV Rental in Pigeon Forge from RVshare.
Does RVshare have emergency roadside assistance?Yes. Every RV rental booked through RVshare receives 24/7 emergency roadside assistance.
Does RVshare offer one way RV rentals in Pigeon Forge?Yes. Prior to renting any RV, check with the owner since not all will offer this particular option.