Free Things to Do on Vacation in Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg

The following information is excerpted from http://www.reservepigeonforge.com

Cades Cove: There is an 11 mile one way scenic drive loop that winds around the valley, complete with wildlife, campgrounds, bike rentals, spectacular foliage in autumn, and facilities for horseback riding.

Sugarlands Visitor Center: A free 20-minute orientation motion picture provides an in-depth look at the Smokies and the enormous diversity of plant and animal life in the Park. Natural history exhibits include mounted specimens of park animals in recreations of their habitats and reproductions of journals kept by the first park naturalists are also on display. Ranger talks and slide shows are presented daily from spring through fall. Also visit Laurel Falls, a beautiful waterfall located off Little Rover Road near the Sugarlands Center.

Mills Park: Located in Gatlinburg, this park’s facilities include a softball field, horseshoe pits, playground, tennis courts, football field and basketball court. It’s a great place for families to enjoy the outdoors

Mynatt Park: A beautiful park complete with picnic area by the river, bbq grills, and recreation opportunities such as baseball and basketball

Great Smoky Mountains Arts and Craft Community: The largest group of independent artisans in North America. This historic 8-mile loop has been designated a Tennessee Heritage Arts & Crafts Trail. Established in 1937, these artisans create unique and treasured pieces.

Newfound Gap Road: The 33-mile drive from Gatlinburg to Cherokee North Carolina along Newfound Gap Road is the only route that completely traverses the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The drive offers a unique opportunity to enjoy an abbreviated experience of everything the Park has to offer, without necessarily trekking far from your automobile.

Hiking: Hike on any of the more than 800 miles of trails through the Great Smoky Mountain National Park. There are over fifty trails available to hike.

Douglas Lake: Douglas Lake extends its 33,000 lake acres and 513 miles of shoreline to the rolling hills of the Great Smoky Mountains, attracting nearly 2 million visitors each year. Activities at Douglas Lake include fishing, boating, rafting, swimming, camping, and bird watching.

Festivals: Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg are a haven for festivals. Many of these, such as the Bloomin’ Barbeque & Bluegrass Festival, have free admission and concerts.

Let us know about your own experiences visiting these places and/or any other free things that you have found for this destination. Include a comment in the comments section below so that others may learn from your experience.