June 16, 2018
With average highs in the mid-80s, Pigeon Forge, TN boasts gorgeous summer weather. While we absolutely love soaking up the sun, sometimes it can be nice to cool off for a little while during the dog days of summer. To help you make the most of your next vacation, Hearthside Cabin Rentals has put together a guide to eight of our favorite ways to say cool in Pigeon Forge and the Smoky Mountains.
Located in the heart of the Smokies, the Pigeon River is the third most rafted river in the entire nation! When you sign up for an adventure with Smoky Mountain River Rat , you will have the chance to conquer the Pigeon River’s thrilling rapids with plenty of surfing and splashing. River Rat offers trips down the exhilarating Upper Pigeon River, which includes class 3 – 4 rapids, and the mellow Lower Pigeon River, which is ideal for young children. No matter which rafting trip you choose, you’ll have a blast being out on the water. Guests at Hearthside will enjoy one free adult whitewater rafting adventure with Smoky Mountain River Rat per paid night stay as part of our Freedom Fun Pass.
For a different type of river experience, Hearthside guests can use their Freedom Fun Pass to redeem a free tubing trip with Smoky Mountain River Rat . What could be more refreshing than kicking back in one of River Rat’s iconic yellow tubes and floating down the Little River? While the lower section of the river is calm and scenic, vacationers who are looking for a little more excitement can float down the upper river to enjoy some adrenaline-fueled rapids. River Rat Tubing is just 15 miles from Pigeon Forge.
Ice cream is the ultimate summertime treat, and there is no better place to pick up a cone than Mad Dog’s Creamery . This fun ice cream shop offers 24 mouthwatering flavors to choose from, including Birthday Cake, Blueberry Pie, Smoky Mountain Fudge, and Black Walnut. In addition to classic ice cream cones, Mad Dog’s also serves banana splits, milkshakes, soft serve, and shaved ice. If you are traveling with your dog, you can even pick up a mini ice cream-shaped treat for your pooch! With Hearthside’s Freedom Fun Pass, visitors to Mad Dog’s Creamery will receive one free double scoop of ice cream on a waffle cone.
Spending the day at Dollywood’s Splash Country is another one of the very best ways to stay cool in Pigeon Forge this summer. Located next door to Dollywood, this awesome water park is absolutely loaded with thrilling rides and slides. Some of the most popular attractions at Splash Country include the TailSpin Racer, a six-lane racing slide that is longer than a football field, and Fire Tower Falls, an exhilarating slide that stands 70 feet tall.
Zorbing at Outdoor Gravity Park is a one-of-a-kind adventure unlike anything you have ever experienced! A “zorb” is essentially a giant transparent hamster ball that is big enough to accommodate up to three people. When you climb inside one of these spheres, your zorb will be filled with over 10 gallons of water and pushed down a 1,000-foot hill. The water will prevent you from tumbling around inside of your zorb, so the ride is nothing but wet and wild fun.
Snow tubing isn’t just for the winter anymore! Visitors to Pigeon Forge Snow will be able to enjoy wonderful indoor snow tubing all year round, including those sweltering summer months. The secret to this attraction’s success is its state-of-the-art snow machines, which produce genuine fresh powder for the indoor slopes. In addition to snow tubing, guests at Pigeon Forge Snow can also build snowmen, make snow angels, and have snowball fights in the facility’s special SnowPlay Area. Believe it or not, Pigeon Forge Snow stays at a balmy 65 – 70 degrees throughout the year!
The Ober Gatlinburg Amusement Park has recently introduced a brand new activity for guests to enjoy: ice bumper cars! Just like normal bumper cars, these vehicles are meant for playful ramming and nudging, but they are located inside of an ice rink. Visitors to Ober can also go ice skating or cool off with one of the amusement park’s fun water rides.
Hearthside Cabin Rentals offers a great selection of properties with pool access, so you can take a nice refreshing dip steps away from your cabin! When the sun is blazing, there is nothing better than relaxing in the water. Of course, young visitors will love racing each other, playing Marco Polo, and just splashing around. To start planning your getaway, browse our complete selection of Pigeon Forge cabins with pool access!