UPDATE 2021 – Mills Park now has an excellent dog park where your four-legged family friend can run free and socialize!
With Great Smoky Mountains National Park on the doorstep, it’s often overlooked that Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge both have some fine public parks to enjoy. These are great places to get out of the bustle and stroll or picnic.
Visitors who seek out our Gatlinburg cabin rentals or a Pigeon Forge cabin rental have a plethora of attractions and activities to enjoy morning, noon, and night. From hiking in the Great Smoky Mountains or ice skating at Ober Gatlinburg Ski Resort to exhilarating thrill rides and exciting shows at Dollywood, there’s something to do for everyone of all ages.
But when you come into town, enjoying the sights and sounds of Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge can get exhausting amid all the bustle. Calm your soul with additional adventures exploring the excellent public parks that embody the flavor of Tennessee culture and countryside.
Image courtesy of Gatlinburg
Gatlinburg Public Parks
Herbert Holt Park, formerly known as North Gatlinburg Park, is a great way to enjoy a day outside soaking up some sunshine, and having a picnic beside the bubbling stream. Located near downtown at 811 E Parkway, the park offers you your choice of activities. Kids have their own fishing stream and playground, everyone can get a little exercise on one of the walking trails, or you can try your hand at horseshoes. The park features a handicapped accessible fishing pier, trout facility, sinks and grills, covered pavilion and picnic tables. This can be a peaceful getaway, to the background sound of the Little Pigeon River for company.
Mills Park is perfect for a day of sports and exercise. Take an exhilarating jog along a scenic trail, play a set of tennis, toss some horseshoes, challenge the basketball hoops, or set up a game of softball or football. While you’re running the 400-meter track, kids can play to their heart’s content at the playground, or show off their golfing talent at the 9-hole Disc Golf course. The park, located at 1700-1726 Ogle Road, has restrooms, grills, pavilion, sinks and picnic tables. The park is open daily from 6:00 am to 10:00 pm. And since 2021, there is now an excellent dog park here! (See more information on where you can take your dog in our guide to Pet Friendly Hiking in the Smokies.)
Mynatt Park, located on 634 Asbury Lane just off Historic Nature Trail Road/Cherokee Orchard Road, is a green oasis where you can relax and play tennis, basketball, baseball, or horseshoes. Kids can go fishing or visit the playground featuring slides and swings. Picnic tables, covered pavilions, and grills offer the perfect setting for a relaxing picnic lunch. Restroom facilities are also onsite. The park is open 24 hours.
Pigeon Forge Public Parks
Patriot Park lives up to its name. Located along Old Mill Avenue, the park offers a scenic 1/2-mile walking trail, bordered by the Little Pigeon River. The colorful walk features flags on display for each branch of the armed services in honor of local veterans, along with flags from each state. Another visual attraction at the park allows you to get up-close to an actual Patriot Missile. The park, open 24 hours a day, is a hub of entertaining year-round events, with scheduled festivals and concerts, fireworks on the 4th of July, and the winter wonderland created by the annual Winterfest celebration, which features over 5 million lights. Add to the day’s excitement and plan a ride on the Pigeon Forge Trolley with scheduled routes throughout the area, leaving from the park.
Wear Farm City Park, located at 623 Wears Valley Road, provides a beautiful park setting with many opportunities for more Pigeon Forge entertainment. Open daily from 11:00 am to 10:00 pm. Wear your walking or running shoes and take advantage of the basketball court, baseball, softball and football fields, or one of the walking trails. Get a snack from one of the two concession stands or bring a picnic lunch to enjoy at one of the covered pavilions. There are two playgrounds to accommodate both younger kids and older children with an assortment of modern and safe equipment including slides, swings and climbing platforms. The park has ample free parking and restroom facilities.
