52 Weeks of Fun

Not Just Destination Finders, But Destination Storytellers


Pigeon Forge Chamber of Commerce

The Center of Fun in the Smokies

Local Attractions

The first “tourists” to the Pigeon Forge area came for the extended revivals held in the Middle Creek area. These revivals began in the early 19th century and could last for weeks at a time. In 1810, the Revolutionary War brought Mordecai Lewis to the area after he obtained a land grant and Lewis’s son-in-law established an iron forge on the banks of the Little Pigeon River. The town of Pigeon Forge received its name from this forge and the mass amounts of passenger pigeons that flocked there.

In the 1870s, Henderson Springs was a health resort opened in Pigeon Forge. Residents of large urban areas would travel to take in the mountain springs. These springs were thought to have health-restoring qualities.

As of the 20th century, Pigeon Forge was fairly isolated. There were no major roads and the closest railroad station was in Sevierville. The big change that brought life to the small community arose with the announcement of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park in 1934, and subsequent highway improvements led to the establishment of campgrounds and lodges.

In 1985, famous Sevier County resident Dolly Parton became a partner in Silver Dollar City. The park's name was changed to Dollywood. Now, the city of Pigeon Forge is now home to hundreds of attractions, fine dining, shopping, and more.



A 52 Weeks of Fun Fascinating Fact about Pigeon Forge

Pigeon Forge was originally a hunting ground for the Cherokee from North Carolina, who used a footpath known as the “Indian Gap Trail.” Crossing the Smoky Mountains to the Great Indian Warpath (now Sevierville), the Trail brought Europeans hunters, trappers, and eventually, tourists.

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The Smokies are named for the blue mist that always seems to hover around the peaks and valleys. The Cherokee called them shaconage (shah-con-ah-jey), meaning place of the blue smoke.

Pigeon Forge is a gateway to the Great Smoky Mountain National Park.

Historical one-room wooden cabins are scattered throughout the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.The first visitors began arriving in the 1800s to take in Pigeon Forge’s hot springs.

Pigeon Forge has an abundance of outdoor activities, including Class 4 rafting on the Little Pigeon River.

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