Pigeon Forge · The Island Dr · Entertainment district
The Island in Pigeon Forge
A free-to-enter shopping, dining and ride complex along the Little Pigeon River, with a 200-foot observation wheel and a show fountain that plays to light and music year-round.
Buy tickets opens The Island’s official ride and wheel ticket site. Entry and parking are free; you pay only for rides, food and shopping.
Details checked October 2026
Type
Entertainment district
23 acres with 80+ shops, restaurants and attractions
Admission
Free entry
Rides and the wheel are paid; wheel from $13.99
Hours
10 AM–11 PM
Rides and retail, as posted Oct 2026; open 365 days
Time needed
2–4 hours
Our estimate; stay past dark for the fountain
Parking
Free
No RV spaces; big rigs only if there’s room
Wheel
200 feet
Glass gondolas seat up to 8; opened June 21, 2013
What you’ll see
What to see and do at The Island
You can walk The Island for free, browse the shops and watch the show fountain without buying a thing. Rides, the observation wheel and the ropes course are sold separately, by the ride or as a 48-hour unlimited wristband.
Photo: GatewayPolitics on Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Start here
The Great Smoky Mountain Wheel
The 200-foot wheel opened on June 21, 2013, and its all-glass, climate-controlled gondolas seat up to eight people, with views toward the Great Smoky Mountains. A $1 million lighting package added in 2026 brings light shows day and night. The wheel is wheelchair accessible. Adult tickets are $18.99 (ages 12+), children 3–11 are $13.99, seniors 60+ and military are $15.99, and a Day/Night Combo is $24.99.
RV tip: leave the rig at camp and bring the tow car. Parking is free, and a dusk ride gives you mountain views first and the wheel’s light show after dark.
More to see
- The Island Show FountainA multi-million-dollar fountain programmed to light and music year-round. During Winterfest it runs nightly at 6, 7, 8 and 9 PM with three 40-foot LED Christmas trees.
- Rides and the ropes courseThe Unlimited Rides wristband covers participating rides for 48 hours from first use; a version adds the Ropes Course. Most rides require riders to be at least 36 inches tall.
- Shops and restaurantsMore than 80 shops, restaurants and attractions spread across 23 acres, with two Margaritaville lodging properties on site.
- Riverwalk GreenwayThe city’s Riverwalk Greenway runs about a mile along the river through The Island and links to the half-mile loop at Patriot Park in the Old Mill District.
Why go
Why The Island works for an evening off the campground
The Island is one of the easiest outings in Pigeon Forge to fit into an RV trip. Entry is free, parking is free, and it is open 365 days a year, so you can drive in for an hour of window shopping or stay for dinner and the fountain without buying a ticket for anything.
If you do want a ride, the Great Smoky Mountain Wheel is the one to pick. At 200 feet, its glass gondolas give a wide look at the mountains, and a 2026 lighting upgrade means the wheel itself puts on a show after dark. Families can add the 48-hour Unlimited Rides wristband and come back the next day on the same pass.
From November 21, 2026, through January 31, 2027, Winterfest at The Island adds a walk-through 40-foot Christmas tree, a nightly holiday fountain show at 6, 7, 8 and 9 PM, and a free tree-lighting night with a concert. It is a low-cost way to see the holiday lights without driving the whole Parkway.
Photo: Sarah Stierch on Wikimedia Commons (CC0)
Why it made our list
- Free admission and free parking, per The Island
- Open 365 days a year
- 200-foot observation wheel with glass gondolas
- Free show fountain, with nightly holiday shows in winter
- Riverwalk Greenway links it to Patriot Park
For RVers
Bringing the rig to The Island
Parking and entry are free, but The Island has no dedicated RV or oversize spaces, so most RVers come in the tow car.
No dedicated RV parking
Parking is always free, but The Island says it doesn’t provide dedicated RV or oversized vehicle spaces. Large vehicles can use the standard lots if there’s room, which isn’t guaranteed on busy nights or during events. Guests are pointed to the LeConte Center lot, and a free shuttle runs from the main lot to the front of The Island. Unhooking and driving the tow car is the easy answer.
Parkway traffic and timing
The Island sits just off the Parkway on The Island Dr. Parkway traffic can be slow in the evening, especially once the Winterfest lights go up in November. Arriving in late morning or early afternoon gives you an easier start, and you can stay into the evening for the fountain.
Trolley and Greenway option
The Pigeon Forge Fun Time Trolley runs from the Mass Transit Center in Patriot Park; most routes are $1 per boarding, a $3 All Day Pass is sold at the transit office or in the app, and drivers take exact fare only. Confirm The Island’s nearest stop with Mass Transit at (865) 429-6444. You can also walk the Riverwalk Greenway between Patriot Park and The Island.
Pets are welcome on leash
The Island calls itself pet-friendly: leashed dogs are welcome on the property, but each shop and restaurant decides whether dogs can come inside. Service animals may not be allowed on some rides. The Mellow Mushroom patio welcomes all pets. Pets can’t ride the city trolley, pavement gets hot in summer, and never leave a pet in a parked vehicle.
What visitors say about The Island in Pigeon Forge
The visitor report card
We don’t copy other sites’ reviews, but the published scores are worth reading together. Scores checked October 29, 2026.
Where Fun Comes Full Circle
The Island in Pigeon Forge, describing itself · islandinpigeonforge.com
Great Smoky Mountain Wheel tickets
Prices from The Island’s Great Smoky Mountain Wheel page, checked October 2026. A local rate of $13.99 is also listed. VIP is per person for 1–4 riders.
Good to know
AdmissionFree entry and free parking
Winterfest 2026Nov 21, 2026 – Jan 31, 2027
Holiday fountain showsNightly at 6, 7, 8 and 9 PM during Winterfest
Ride heightAt least 36 inches for most rides
Prices, hours and Winterfest dates from islandinpigeonforge.com, checked October 2026. Ride hours can change with weather and season; check the official calendar before you go.
Know before you go
Plan your visit
The Island in Pigeon Forge
- Address131 The Island Dr, Pigeon Forge, TN 37863
- HoursThe official Hours & Events Calendar (dated Oct 24, 2026) lists rides and retail at 10 AM–11 PM, and The Island says it is open 365 days a year. Restaurant hours vary by business. Winter hours were not yet posted; check the calendar for November–January.
- Phone(865) 286-0119
- TicketsWalking in is free. Great Smoky Mountain Wheel: adults $18.99, children 3–11 $13.99, seniors 60+ and military $15.99, Day/Night Combo $24.99, VIP $28.99 per person. Individual ride tickets, Ropes Course tickets and a 48-hour Unlimited Rides wristband are sold on the official ticket site.
- Getting thereThe Island is at 131 The Island Dr, just off the Parkway in central Pigeon Forge. From RV parks along the Parkway, Wears Valley Rd or the south end of town, follow the Parkway to The Island Dr. Expect slow traffic on the Parkway on evenings and weekends.
- ParkingParking is always free, in several large lots; The Island points guests to the LeConte Center lot, and a free shuttle runs from the main lot to the front. There are no dedicated RV or oversize spaces, and large vehicles can park in standard lots only if there’s room. Note your lot letter before you walk in.
Ride and shop hours change with the season and Winterfest events, so check The Island’s Hours & Events Calendar before you go.
Where to stay nearby
RV parks near The Island in Pigeon Forge
These are the Pigeon Forge-area parks we’ve written up, closest first. Drive times are estimates for a normal day; Parkway traffic can stretch them on busy evenings.
Creekside RV Park
Full-hookup park off Henderson Springs Road with a seasonal pool. Closed January and February.
Camp Riverslanding
Private park with full-hookup sites along the Little Pigeon River, a short drive from the Old Mill end of town.
Up the Creek RV Camp
Wooded full-hookup sites beside a creek off Little Valley Road. No restrooms, so bring a self-contained rig.
Helpful answers
Frequently asked questions
The questions RVers ask most before pulling in.
Open 365 days · rides 10 AM–11 PM
Plan your evening at The Island
Entry and parking are free. Check the official calendar for ride hours and Winterfest events, then buy wheel or ride tickets online or at the attraction.
Thank you to the people behind these photos and this video. Please support them by giving their work a look. Photos: GatewayPolitics (the wheel and show fountain; CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons), Sarah Stierch (the wheel at night; the walkway after dark; CC0, via Wikimedia Commons), Steve Shreve (the wheel at sunset; CC0, via Wikimedia Commons), J654567 (Mount Le Conte over the Parkway; CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons), ElToAn123 (a Fun Time Trolley; CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons); the images were resized. Video: T5 The Traveler on YouTube (The Island in Pigeon Forge TN Full Tour). Review-site logos are trademarks of their owners.
Disclaimer
RV-Roundup is an independent, community-based resource created to help RV travelers and to support and promote the places we feature. RV-Roundup is not owned by, operated by, or officially affiliated with The Island in Pigeon Forge unless otherwise stated.
The information on this page was prepared using the most current details available at the time of publication, including published materials from The Island in Pigeon Forge and publicly available sources. Hours, pricing, rules and other details are set by the operators and may change at any time without notice. Before you travel, please confirm all details directly with The Island in Pigeon Forge at islandinpigeonforge.com or (865) 286-0119. RV-Roundup is not responsible for errors, omissions, or changes made after publication.
We will always do our best to keep this page up to date. Thank you to everyone who contributes; we truly appreciate your help and support.