What's New in Pigeon Forge TN 2023

The longest coaster, the largest shop, and the cutest animals–in Pigeon Forge, 2023 is a year of the biggest and the best! See what’s new for you to explore on your Pigeon Forge vacation.

Dollywood's Longest Coaster Ever

Big Bear Mountain will be Dollywood’s longest coaster, taking you on a curving, twisting, tilting adventure over nearly 4,000 feet of track at speeds close to 50 miles an hour! Big Bear Mountain is a $25 million investment for the theme park, and the coaster nearly surrounds the park’s popular Wildwood Grove section. Look up, and you can’t miss it! 

Hop aboard this massive coaster to help nature adventurer Ned Oakley search for the legendary Big Bear. This coaster is the first at Dollywood to feature onboard audio, with music plus narration as Ned himself guides you. Big Bear Mountain opens in the spring of 2023.

SkyLand Ranch

This 100-acre farm, slated to open in late 2022, will boast Pigeon Forge’s newest mountain coaster, more than a mile long. The chairlift promises incredible mountain views. Stroll through the treetops on SkyLand’s canopy walk and suspended bridge. Then visit the farm’s adorable miniature animals, including cows and donkeys.

SkyLand Ranch will feature a food barn with a bakery and candy kitchen. Don’t miss the tasty gourmet cupcakes! A retail barn houses Pigeon Forge’s newest Christmas shop, toy store, and boutiques.

Buc-ees Travel Center

Why list a new convenience store as a 2023 standout? Because Buc-ees brings a Texas food and retail legend to the Smoky Mountains! When this chain’s Sevierville location opens, it will be the largest convenience store in the world, at 74,000 square feet.

Buc-ees is famed for food, especially BBQ, brisket sandwiches, fresh fudge, pastries, and signature Beaver Nuggets–a puffy corn snack coated in brown sugar. If you can make it past the mouth-watering food aisles, you’ll find clothing, toys, souvenirs, home decor, and road trip gear.

Foam Warriorz

Bring friends and family for crazy intense competition at Foam Warriorz, Pigeon Forge’s just-opened “indoor foam combat” arena. Play games including capture the flag, freeze tag, and “team death match.” If war games aren’t your jam, try your hand at ax throwing instead. Kids will love the indoor bounce houses, too.

Fun and Games

• Sky Pirates of Mermaid Bay Miniature Golf. Indoors, play 18 holes of “Under the Sea” mini golf. On the roof, conquer another 18 holes of sky pirate mini golf. A great spot for photos of the kids!
• Gatlin’s Escape Games. The Gatlinburg attraction opens its first Pigeon Forge escape rooms with three never-before-played challenges and an old favorite, Curse of the Kraken’s Eye.
• The Great Escape Room. This national chain arrives in Pigeon Forge with three escape rooms and a scavenger hunt experience. Themes include a seance and a lockdown in a bunker.
• Sevier Warfare Laser Tag. Set in a war-torn urban future, this laser tag challenge is an addition to Sevier Air indoor trampoline park.
• Dollywood’s Big Bear Mountain Coaster. Two minutes, nearly 4,000 feet of track, almost 50 miles an hour! The theme park unveils its newest, longest coaster this spring.

Hands-On Experiences

• Dig ‘n Zone Theme Park. Drive, ride and use real construction equipment, including tractors, forklifts, excavators and more. Kids who love big digs are welcome here!
• Xperia Ocean Journey. Cutting-edge technology and visual effects transport you into realistic underwater adventures with sharks, whales, sea lions and other ocean creatures.

Discovery and Learning

Country Legends Rediscovered Museum. This intimate museum is a must for lovers of Loretta, Johnny and June, George and Tammy, and all the classic country superstars.

Stay in a Pigeon Forge vacation cabin, so you’re close to all the fun, food, and thrills. We’ve got convenient cabins with plenty of amenities you’ll love. Book your 2023 cabin now!