With school out and summer well on its way, it’s time to start planning your summertime escape to Pigeon Forge! With so much to do for people of all ages, Pigeon Forge is a great choice for your family vacation year after year. Not only does Pigeon Forge offer the natural beauty of the Smoky Mountains, but also a variety of popular attractions, including adrenaline-pumping rides that are sure to add some adventure to your plans for summer fun.
Racing down the mountainside on an alpine coaster, challenging your family to a lap around a 3-story go-kart track, and taking a turn on Dollywood’s newest roller coaster—the Lightning Rod—are just a few of the exciting adventures in store for your Pigeon Forge vacation this summer. Below we’ve listed where you can find these high-action attractions during your stay. Be sure to check them out with your family during this summer’s getaway to the Smokies!
The Lightning Rod at Dollywood
If you thought you’d seen everything at Dollywood, you’re in store for a thrilling surprise. Opening this summer at Pigeon Forge’s favorite theme park is Lightning Rod, the world’s fastest wood coaster! Modeled after a 1950s-era hot rod, this exciting roller coaster will launch riders from zero to 45 miles per hour, taking them more than 20 stories high before racing down a 165-foot drop. Sound fun? There’s more! Lightning Rod tops out at speeds of 73 miles per hour on its 3,800-foot track, making this one Pigeon Forge ride you don’t want to miss this summer!
Other amazing rides at Dollywood include the Wild Eagle, America’s first wing coaster that takes you 21 stories above the Smoky Mountains; Thunderhead, a massive wooden roller coaster situated between two mountains that features a 100-foot drop and top speeds of 55 miles per hour; and Daredevil Falls, a thrilling boat ride through a logging camp that eventually takes you down a 60-foot drop at 50 miles per hour!
Smoky Mountain Alpine Coaster
This may not be the newest ride in Pigeon Forge, but it is the longest—the longest downhill track in the United States, that is! The Smoky Mountain Alpine Coaster takes you a mile down the mountainside at speeds of up to 25 miles per hour. But don’t worry if that’s too fast for you. On this coaster, you’re in complete control with an individual handbrake on each car, and you can choose to ride solo or with a friend. Even children as young as 3 can take a turn on this coaster (with an accompanying adult). Check it out during this year’s family’s vacation to Pigeon Forge.
Ski Mountain Coaster at Ober Gatlinburg
If you venture over to Gatlinburg during your Smoky Mountain stay, don’t miss another alpine coaster—the Ski Mountain Coaster at Ober Gatlinburg. It’s a similar ride to the Smoky Mountain Alpine Coaster, but with completely different views. This track covers approximately 3,750 feet and is nestled just below the peak of Mount Harrison. Again, you’ll have individual hand brakes and you can ride by yourself or with a partner.
The great news about this coaster is, even when your ride on the alpine coaster is through, your fun has just begun at Ober Gatlinburg. This popular attraction features tons of other rides, activities, and exhibits you have to check out while you’re in the Smokies. For an idea of what you’ll find at Ober, check out this list: Aerial Tramway, Ice Skating, Scenic Chairlift, Wildlife Encounter, Alpine Slide, Water Raft Rides, Mini Golf, Arcade Center, Amaze’N Maze, Chair Swing, Carousel, and Kiddie Land.
Ober Gatlinburg is also a participant in our Cabins For You Partner Program. Wear your wristband to receive $2 off an adult tram ticket or $1 off any child tram ticket!
The Coaster at Goats on the Roof
Here’s another alpine coaster in the Smokies, but this time you’ll zip through the trees at speeds of up to 30 miles per hour! Make this an exciting ride down the mile-long track, or use your hand breaks to turn it into a peaceful tour of the Smoky Mountain woods. Again, when you’re done on the coaster, don’t leave! Goats on the Roof has plenty more fun in store for your Pigeon Forge getaway. Try gem mining for rubies, pick out a favorite flavor of homemade ice cream, or actually climb to the roof to feed some goats! This unique attraction will have you entertained for hours.
The Track in Pigeon Forge
Now this is the place to bring the family if you’re looking for multiple ways to have fun. The Track in Pigeon Forge features so much more than its classic go-kart track with overpasses or its 3-story spiraling wooden track. You’ll also find a Gator Golf mini-golf course, bumper boats (a perfect way to cool down this summer!), classic bumper cars, an arcade with state-of-the-art video games, a 65-foot bungee jump, and more! There’s even a place for your littles ones—Kids Country at The Track. Children 8 and younger will love the Carousel, Ferris Wheel, Kiddie Karts, and Red Baron Plane Ride at Kids Country!
