How Big Is Pigeon Forge Tennessee?
Pigeon Forge is a mountain resort city located in Sevier County, Tennessee, situated just 5 miles north of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. It’s known as a huge tourist destination in Tennessee thanks to its beautiful mountain scenery and wealth of attractions like Dollywood theme park. Some quick facts about Pigeon Forge:
Pigeon Forge is located along the Little Pigeon River, which was named by 18th-century explorer and trader Isaac Thomas after the flocks of passenger pigeons that frequented the river valley. According to the City of Pigeon Forge, the area was originally Cherokee hunting grounds before European settlers arrived in the late 18th century.
The town itself was established in the late 1700s. Its name comes from a large iron forge built along the river by Isaac Love in the early 19th century, which was used to smelt limonite ore into iron bars for use by local blacksmiths. This forge resembled a sitting pigeon, leading people to start calling the community “Pigeon Forge.”
Today, Pigeon Forge is known for its abundance of attractions like Dollywood, dinner theaters, musical revues, mini golf courses, outlet malls, and rides. The beautiful natural scenery of the Smoky Mountains and proximity to Great Smoky Mountains National Park also draw millions of visitors each year.
Geography
Pigeon Forge is located in Sevier County, Tennessee, in the southeastern United States. According to Wikipedia, Pigeon Forge is situated in a valley between the Great Smoky Mountains and the Cumberland Plateau, approximately 25 miles southeast of Knoxville. The city lies on a fork of the Little Pigeon River from which it takes its name. Pigeon Forge covers approximately 13.4 square miles of land.
The terrain of Pigeon Forge consists of rolling hills and forests. The Great Smoky Mountains National Park borders the city to the southeast. Due to its valley location between mountain ranges, Pigeon Forge has a humid subtropical climate. The city’s elevation ranges from 876 feet to 3,052 feet above sea level.
Climate
Pigeon Forge has a humid subtropical climate, with hot, humid summers and mild winters. According to Weatherspark, the average high temperature in July, the hottest month, is around 89°F. January is the coldest month, with average highs of 47°F and lows of 28°F.
Pigeon Forge gets significant rainfall, averaging over 50 inches per year. The wettest month is July, which gets nearly 5 inches of rain on average. Winters are the driest with just over 3 inches of rain per month from December to February. Snowfall averages 5-6 inches annually. BestPlaces.net notes the biggest snowstorm was in 1993 when over 2 feet of snow fell.
Demographics
According to the 2020 census, the population of Pigeon Forge was 6,387. This is up from 5,875 at the 2010 census.Wikipedia The racial makeup of Pigeon Forge is predominantly white, with 90.5% of residents identifying as white alone. 3.5% identify as Black or African American alone, 1.2% as Asian alone, 3.5% as Hispanic or Latino, and 1.3% as two or more races.Census.gov
The median age in Pigeon Forge is 39.8 years old. 22.4% of the population is under 18 years old, and 13.9% is over 65 years old. World Population Review This makes Pigeon Forge popular with families and retirees looking to enjoy the natural beauty of the Great Smoky Mountains.
Economy
Pigeon Forge has become a major tourist destination, with tourism and hospitality being the largest industries. Located in the Great Smoky Mountains, Pigeon Forge attracts over 11 million visitors each year with its many attractions like Dollywood theme park and the Great Smoky Mountains National Park[1]. Tourism has fueled massive growth, with the city issuing over $222 million in building permits in 2021 alone[1].
The tourism industry employs over 13,000 people in Pigeon Forge[2]. Major employers include Dollywood Theme Park, The Island in Pigeon Forge, Wonderworks, Paula Deen’s Family Kitchen, and other attractions, hotels, and restaurants. The unemployment rate was around 5.1% as of November 2022[2].
While tourism drives the economy, Pigeon Forge has worked to diversify and attract other industries like manufacturing. Sevier County has partnered with Pigeon Forge for new industrial parks and business incentives to encourage economic growth[3].
Attractions
Pigeon Forge is home to some of the most popular attractions in Tennessee, including Dollywood, dinner theaters, and outlet malls. Dollywood is a popular theme park owned by country singer Dolly Parton, featuring rides, shows, and festivals throughout the year. The park sees over 3 million visitors annually, making it Tennessee’s most-visited ticketed attraction.
Pigeon Forge is also known for its variety of musical dinner theaters, like the Hatfield and McCoy Dinner Show, Smoky Mountain Opry, and Country Tonite Theater. These theaters combine southern-style food with musical variety performances and comedy acts.
For shopping, outlets like Tanger Outlets and The Island in Pigeon Forge offer brand name stores in an outdoor setting. Tanger Outlets houses over 100 brand name outlet shops including Banana Republic, Nike, Under Armour and more. The Island features both retail shopping and entertainment, with restaurants, rides, games, and live music performances along the Pigeon River.
Lodging
Pigeon Forge offers a wide variety of lodging options including hotels, cabins, campgrounds, and more to accommodate the over 10 million visitors that flock to the city each year (Source). Hotels range from budget-friendly chains like Best Western to luxury resorts like Margaritaville Island Hotel and RiverStone Resort & Spa. RiverStone boasts amenities including a spa, lazy river, and indoor pool (Source).
In addition to hotels, Pigeon Forge has hundreds of cabin rentals nestled throughout the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains. Cabins allow visitors to relax in wooded seclusion with amenities like hot tubs, fireplaces, and screened-in porches. Companies like Cabins USA, Cabins for You, and American Patriot Getaways manage short and long-term cabin rentals.
For visitors looking to camp, options include the Pigeon Forge KOA with nearly 200 campsites and amenities like a swimming pool, mini golf, and jumping pillows. There are also many campgrounds within Great Smoky Mountains National Park, including popular Cades Cove Campground.
Dining in Pigeon Forge
Pigeon Forge is home to a vibrant dining scene, offering something for every palate. From Southern comfort foods to international cuisines, Pigeon Forge restaurants provide delicious options for meals throughout the day.
For classic Southern cooking in a rustic setting, head to Bullfish Grill for dishes like fried chicken, catfish, and skillet cornbread. Family-owned Local Goat puts a contemporary spin on regional flavors with dishes like goat cheese ravioli and mountain trout. And no trip to Pigeon Forge is complete without a meal at the iconic Old Mill Restaurant, which has been serving up Southern staples in a historic gristmill since 1830.
Beyond traditional fare, Pigeon Forge offers exciting fusion concepts and ethnic cuisine. Mellow Mushroom serves up artisanal pizzas baked in a stone oven, with creative toppings like Thai peanut chicken and Cuban black beans. For a taste of the Far East, Iron Chef Tetsuya Wakuda brings his renowned Japanese cuisine to Pigeon Forge at Wakuda’s on the River. And Applewood Farmhouse Restaurant puts a distinctively Appalachian spin on Mexican classics.
Pigeon Forge’s charming diners, brewpubs and cafes offer casual bites from morning through late night. Grab breakfast at Crockett’s Breakfast Camp before exploring the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Relax after a day of adventures over craft beers at Smoky Mountain Brewery. And enjoy coffee and fresh-baked goods in the morning or sandwiches and soups for lunch at The Old Mill Pottery House Cafe.
With an ever-growing range of options, Pigeon Forge provides visitors the chance to dine on everything from downhome cooking to exotic world cuisines. The city’s passionate chefs and restaurateurs continue to expand the horizons of dining in the Smokies.
Transportation
Pigeon Forge is located along U.S. Route 441, with Sevierville located to the north and Gatlinburg located to the south along 441. The major roads in Pigeon Forge include Veterans Boulevard, Wears Valley Road, Teaster Lane, and the Parkway (TN-339) (Routes and Schedule).
The Pigeon Forge Mass Transit Trolley System provides transportation around Pigeon Forge and neighboring Gatlinburg. The trolleys run seven days a week and have numerous stops along the Parkway and surrounding attractions (Pigeon Forge Mass Transit; The Ultimate Guide to Pigeon Forge Mass Transit Trolley System).
Pigeon Forge does not have its own commercial airport, but is served by the McGhee Tyson Airport in Knoxville located about 40 miles away. Many visitors also fly into the Asheville Regional Airport in Asheville, NC located about 73 miles away.
Notable People
Pigeon Forge has produced several notable people over the years, particularly in the entertainment industry. Some famous people originally from Pigeon Forge include:
Dolly Parton – Singing superstar and cultural icon Dolly Parton was born and raised in Locust Ridge in Pigeon Forge. She started performing as a child at the tender age of 10 on local radio and television shows in Knoxville. Parton is known for hits like “Jolene,” “9 to 5,” and “I Will Always Love You.” She also owns the Dollywood theme park in Pigeon Forge.
Rob Cesternino – Reality TV personality and podcaster Rob Cesternino was born in Wantagh, NY but grew up in Pigeon Forge. He is best known for competing on Survivor seasons 6 and 8. After Survivor, Cesternino created a popular podcast focused on analyzing reality TV strategy called “Rob Has a Podcast.”
Pete Owens – Publicist and entertainment personality Pete Owens was born and raised in Pigeon Forge. He started out working at Dollywood and is now a spokesperson and publicist for the Dollywood Company. Owens represents Dolly Parton and Dollywood in the media and helps promote major events happening in Pigeon Forge.
