What's New in Pigeon Forge for 2026

Pigeon Forge added a serious lineup of new attractions in 2026 — America's first racing mountain coaster, the world's first Scooby-Doo mini-golf course, Dollywood's most ambitious ride ever, and a massive new indoor action park. Here's what's open and what's coming before year's end.

Dollywood's NightFlight Expedition — Now Open

The biggest theme park opening in Pigeon Forge in years. NightFlight Expedition is the world's first indoor family hybrid coaster and whitewater river raft ride — a single 5.5-minute experience that combines a simulated nighttime flight over the Smoky Mountains, a genuine roller coaster segment, a whitewater rapids section, and a bioluminescent lake finale, all within a 44,000-square-foot climate-controlled facility.

Height requirement: 39 inches — one of the most family-inclusive major attractions Dollywood has ever opened, accessible to nearly all ages while still delivering something the adults genuinely want to ride. NightFlight Expedition is included with standard Dollywood admission. Book Dollywood tickets online for the best price.

Pigeon Forge Racing Coaster — Now Open

115 Conner Heights Road, Pigeon Forge

America's first dual-track racing mountain coaster — two side-by-side tracks winding through the Smoky Mountain terrain, letting two riders race simultaneously from start to finish. The course features two lift hills and a series of intertwining twists and turns, with interactive leaderboards that track your run time. Riders control their own speed via a hand brake, making it genuinely competitive between any two people in your group regardless of experience level.

Located between Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg on Conner Heights Road — easy to pair with other Parkway activities on the same day.

Slick City Action Park — Opened June 2026

3735 Parkway, Pigeon Forge

The newest major attraction in Pigeon Forge — a massive indoor action park built around a concept that doesn't exist anywhere else in the region: water slides without the water. Slick City's slides use a dry, frictionless surface that delivers slide speeds comparable to a traditional water park without getting wet. The lineup includes more than 20 slides across multiple formats, from family-friendly lanes to high-speed drops, all indoors and weather-independent.

Slick City opened June 27, 2026, and is currently one of the most-talked-about new additions to the Pigeon Forge corridor. No swimsuits required — you slide in your regular clothes.

Scooby-Doo! Mystery Putt — Now Open

The world's first Scooby-Doo themed mini-golf course — 36 holes across two fully themed courses: Coolsville Cemetery and Coolsville Mine. Each hole is built around its own mini-mystery to solve, with immersive environments pulled directly from the classic cartoon. A gem mining experience at the Coolsville Gem Mine and a Scooby Snacks snack bar round out the visit.

This is mini-golf that adults who grew up on Scooby-Doo will enjoy just as much as the kids. The level of thematic detail — animated elements, sound design, character appearances throughout the course — separates it from standard themed mini-golf.

Great Big Game Show — Now Open

The Island in Pigeon Forge

An interactive live game show experience at The Island — guests become the contestants in an hour of hosted mini-games featuring lights, buzzers, and live crowd participation. Seventeen rotating mini-games ensure a different experience each visit, making this one of the better repeat-visit attractions on the Parkway. Works for all ages and particularly well for groups who want something active and social rather than observational.

Jurassic Adventure at The Island — Now Open (Free)

The Island in Pigeon Forge | Free admission

Twenty-two life-sized animatronic dinosaurs placed throughout The Island's grounds — including a 23-foot-tall Brachiosaurus and an 18-foot baby dino that makes a special appearance during the Island Fountain Show. Interactive educational elements are built into each dinosaur display. The attraction is free with The Island's standard free admission — no additional ticket required.

This is the right addition to a Jurassic-obsessed kid's Pigeon Forge day — built into a free visit to The Island rather than requiring a separate attraction stop.

Ripley's Illusion Lab — Now Open

The newest addition to Ripley's Pigeon Forge portfolio — a dedicated optical illusion experience combining traditional illusion installations with interactive games, mirror tricks, and photo opportunities designed specifically for social sharing. The forced-perspective photography setups — the bear-in-a-tree shot is the marquee example — produce the kind of images that look genuinely impossible and generate reliable Instagram engagement for families and couples.

Coming This Fall: Harvey's Boo Bash at Dollywood

Dollywood's new Halloween event for 2026 — a separately ticketed evening experience centered on Harvey, an adorable pumpkin character making his Dollywood debut. The Boo Bash includes family-focused candy collecting stations, special kids' activities, Halloween-themed food and souvenirs, and access to park attractions during the event window.

Tickets are limited and expected to sell out on peak October dates. Purchase in advance at dollywood.com if Halloween is on your itinerary. The event runs select nights in October.

Frequently asked questions

What is the biggest new attraction in Pigeon Forge for 2026?

Dollywood's NightFlight Expedition — the world's first indoor family hybrid coaster and whitewater river raft ride — is the most significant single opening of 2026. Slick City Action Park (June 2026) and the Pigeon Forge Racing Coaster are the other standout new additions.

What is Slick City in Pigeon Forge?

A major new indoor action park at 3735 Parkway featuring 20+ dry slides — no water, no swimsuits. Slide in regular clothes on a frictionless surface, indoors, in any weather. Opened June 27, 2026.

What is NightFlight Expedition at Dollywood?

The world's first indoor family hybrid coaster and whitewater river raft ride — a 5.5-minute experience combining a simulated nighttime flight over the Smokies, a roller coaster segment, rapids, and a bioluminescent lake. Height requirement: 39 inches. Included with standard Dollywood admission.

What is the Pigeon Forge Racing Coaster?

America's first dual-track racing mountain coaster at 115 Conner Heights Road — two side-by-side tracks let two riders race each other simultaneously, with interactive leaderboards tracking run times. Rider-controlled speed via hand brake.

Is Jurassic Adventure at The Island free?

Yes — Jurassic Adventure is a free attraction within The Island in Pigeon Forge, which has free admission and free parking. No additional ticket required for the 22 animatronic dinosaurs.

Do the Stay & Play Pass tickets cover these new attractions?

The Stay & Play Pass covers Dollywood and many other Pigeon Forge destinations — check the full current list at colonialproperties.com/free-tickets for the most up-to-date participating attractions.