You may recognize her songs and her famous blonde wig, but did you know that country music icon Dolly Parton is also the inspiration behind Tennessee’s most beloved theme park Dollywood?
From rip-roaring coasters to trying the park’s famous cinnamon bread. Don’t miss my ultimate Dollywood guide, plus everything you would ever need to know about visiting Dollywood in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee.
Discover & explore “all things Dolly.” Check Out Below My Ultimate Guide To Visiting Dollywood in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee.
Whether your a country music lover, big-time Dolly fan, or just up for some good ol’ family-friendly fun. Dollywood has it all!
DOLLYWOOD PARK
Tennessee’s Dollywood is an amusement park co-owned by the legendary “queen of country” herself, Dolly Parton. The park is located in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, right in the heart of the Great Smokey Mountains National Park.
Officially opening in 1986, Dollywood has quickly become one of America’s largest theme park attractions hosting more than 3 million visitors each year.
It’s home to Dollywood’s Splash Country Water Park, Dollywood’s DreamMore Resort & Spa, Dollywood’s HeartSong Lodge, and many festivals & dinner shows, including Dolly’s Parton’s Stampede and Pirates Voyage.
With more than 50 thrilling rides & attractions, Dollywood is brimming with good old southern history, heritage, and charm.
Dollywood consists of 11 themed areas such as Showstreet, Rivertown Junction, Craftsman’s Valley, The Village, Country Fair, Timber Canyon, Wilderness Pass, Jukebox Junction, Owens Farm, Adventures in Imagination, and Wildwood Grove.
Eight of the eleven themed areas reflect the historical culture & era of Eastern Tennessee, while the latest additions to the park include Wildwood Grove and Owens Farm & Adventures in Imagination, which explores Dolly Parton’s life and imagination.
How to get to Dollywood
Closest Airports
The closest airport near Dollywood is McGhee Tyson Airport in Knoxville, Tennessee, 12 miles south of downtown Knoxville. From here, it’s only a 45 min drive to Dollywood in Pigeon Forge.
Depending on your location, you can also fly into cities like Atlanta, Nashville, and Charlotte and drive from there. Traveling on a budget? Google Flights and Skyscanner are my go-to’s when it comes to airfare comparisons and finding cheap flights.
Driving There
If you’re planning to drive, the easiest way to get to Dollywood is to follow the interstate highway I-40. Dollywood is also an easy drive from the following cities, Atlanta, Birmingham, Charlotte, Lexington, Nashville, and Roanoke.
Need to rent a car? Check out Kayak for price comparisons from various rental agents. I also love using Rentalcars.com.
BEST TIME TO VISIT DOLLYWOOD
Dollywood is open from mid-March to early January every year, but the peak season is during the summer and around major holidays.
Opening hours of the park do vary however, you can expect the park to be open from 10 am and close as late as 10 pm.
The best time to visit Dollywood depends on your preferences for weather, crowd levels, and the events happening at the park. I highly recommend checking out the Dollywood Calendar for specific dates and events that might interest you.
We happened to visit Dollywood in the early spring, which was incredibly pretty. They had the Flower & Food Festival on at this time, so we got to see the colorful umbrellas that lined Showstreet and the creative plant sculptures.
Plus, the crowds weren’t crazy busy, that said I would say the best time to visit Dollywood would be the late spring or early summer when it’s not too crowded, and of course, late summer or early fall when the weather isn’t too hot and the park starts to turn into a beautiful fall wonderland.
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DOLLYWOOD TICKET PRICES
What’s new in 2024? Dollywood ticket passes are now available for the 2024 season. Save time and money by purchasing your tickets online today. Check out below Dollywood’s latest ticket prices, passes, and park availability that will best suit your vacation plans.
1-Day Park Ticket – $92.00
A regular adult ticket price for 1-day at Dollywood costs $92.00 each. Children and senior tickets are also available and are valued at $82.00 each.
2-Day Park Ticket – $119.00
A 2-day park ticket is just $27.00 more than a 1-day and is definitely the most popular ticket option. You could easily spend 2-4 days exploring both parks. We chose a 2-day pass and felt that was more than enough time to explore the park without feeling rushed.
3-Day Park Ticket – $129.00
A 3-day park ticket is also available, costing only an extra $10.00 more than a 2-day at $129.00 each, as well as children & seniors at $109.00 each.
What is a Dollywood Season Pass?
Dollywood has four types of season passes: the Dollywood Silver Pass, the Dollywood Gold Pass, the Dollywood Diamond Pass, and the Dollywood Splash Country Pass. Dollywood Passes run for an operating season, meaning a 2024 season pass is good for the entire operating year of 2024.
The Dollywood Silver Season Pass starts at $164.00 for just Dollywood alone. The 2-Park Silver Season Pass is the most popular option starting at $219.00 each, allowing guests to enter both Dollywood and Dollywood Splash Country all year long. You also can add onto any Silver or Gold Pass, water park access for an additional cost.
You can take that one step further and upgrade your Gold Pass to the 2-Park Gold Season Pass and receive many exclusive park benefits, such as unlimited admission to both parks, free parking, discounts on food, lodging, merchandise & more.
If you’re really looking for the ultimate “Dollywood experience,” there is the Dollywood Dimond Pass, the ultimate season pass! This pass has all the benefits & perks the park has on offer, plus special perks outside of the park as well. *Please note this pass is no longer available for 2024.
Hot Tip! Children under the age of 4 do not require a pass or ticket, they are FREE!
Heard of the Dollywood Pre-K Imagination Pass? Dollywood now has a FREE Pre-K Imagination Pass. This allows children born between the years 2019-2020 FREE entry into Dollywood and Dollywood’s Splash Country for a whole year!
However, this is for a limited time only! Registration is now open for the Pre-K Pass. Sign your child up today.
To find out more about Dollywood ticket prices and passes, check out their admissions here.
Dollywood Park Hours
Dollywood will be open on March 8th, 2024, and will end the season on January 5th, 2025. I highly suggest booking your tickets in advance to secure the best availability for your preferred days. Check out their Seasonal Calendar here.
PARKING AT DOLLYWOOD
Standard parking at Dollywood costs $25.00 per vehicle, with oversized trailers and RVs at $30.00. Preferred parking is also available at $46.00 per vehicle, which allows guests to park closer to the park entrance, with no tram rides. If you have purchased a Gold or Dimond Season Pass, then parking is FREE!
WHERE TO STAY
The Great Smokey Mountains and surrounding areas offer quite a range of lodging, including hotels, cabins, Airbnbs, and nearby campgrounds. Check out below my top recommendations on where to stay.
Dollywood DreamMore Resort & Spa
2525 DreamMore Way, Pigeon Forge, TN – $$$
Located only 3 miles from the Dollywood theme park is Dollywood DreamMore Resort & Spa. Inspired by Dolly’s life, memories, and imagination. Guests can enjoy the many onsite amenities the hotel has on offer.
Resort guests can relax and unwind by the two pools onsite, indulge in a luxurious massage at the spa, and enjoy southern dining selections for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. DreamMore guests also receive complimentary time-saver passes, early park admissions, free shuttle service to and from the Dollywood park, and private guest entry. What more could you want?
Dollywood Smokey Mountain Cabins
1431 Upper Middle Creek Rd, Sevierville, TN – $$
Of course, Dollywood wouldn’t be complete without its own cabins. Located only mins from Dollywood, Gatlinburg & Pigeon Forge, guests can choose from over 80 different log cabin options, many featuring beautiful mountain views, outdoor hot tubs, indoor games rooms, and more.
Westgate Smoky Mountain Resort & Water Park $$$ – Great family-friendly resort within the smokey mountains. Located only minutes from the center of Gatlinburg and Dollywood Park. Resort features include mountain view rooms, an indoor water park, a gym, a restaurant, a day spa, and more.
Pigeon Forge Cabin Rentals $$ –$$$ Browse multiple luxurious cabin rentals & lodging within Gatlinburg & Pigeon Forge. Choose your preferred price range and number of bedrooms, or sort by amenities such as hot tubs, fire pits, mountain views & more. Cabin rentals that suit everyone’s getaway style.
Resting Bears by Jackson Mountain Homes $$ – The cabin that has everything. Featuring a hot tub on the balcony overlooking the Great Smokey Mountains, three bedrooms, three bathrooms, a private outdoor pool, and free parking. Located only 26 minutes from the center of Gatlinburg and 35 minutes from Dollywood Park.
Camping Spots
Gateway To The Smokies RV Park & Campgrounds $$ – We chose to stay a little closer to the parkway in Pigeon Forge as I wasn’t too sure what to expect as a first-time visitor.
The Gateway To The Smokies was okay, I didn’t find it as secluded as I would have liked, plus you don’t get to choose your camping spot. If I were to go back, I would differently stay somewhere further out that’s more hidden & private within the Smoky Mountains and not so close to the parkway.
A few other secluded camping spots I would try next time!
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TOP DOLLYWOOD HIGHLIGHTS
Experience the thrills & excitement firsthand. From jaw-dropping rides to live performances & old-fashioned Southern dining. Dollywood had something for everyone. Check out below my top Dollywood guide highlights, plus the best things to see & do.
Top Dollywood Roller Coasters & Rides
Dollywood’s impressive roller coasters are on every thrill seeker’s bucket list! With a total of 9 world-class roller coasters and a new addition to the park opening this spring, it’s not hard to see why visitors keep coming back each year.
If you’re a first-time visitor to the park and you’re not too familiar with the rides at Dollywood, hang tight as I share my top roller coasters and rides and what you can expect.
1. Lighting Rod is the most latest ride to the park, which drops at 165 feet and reaches top speeds exceeding 70 miles per hour. Located in Jukebox Junction, Lighting Rod is designed to give the guests a feeling of driving down an old dirt road in a classic 1950s hot rod car.
2. Wild Eagle is the first steel Wing Coaster built in the United States. The ride gives you the effect of flying rather than the free-falling feeling. Guests can experience a 135-foot drop and speeds of up to 61 miles per hour. This ride is totally unique as it offers some of the biggest loops and drops in the park.
3. The Fire Chaser Express looks like a mini red train that travels both forward and backward. The theming behind this ride is based on several fire departments surrounding the Great Smoky Mountains National Park in the 1940s.
4. Tennessee Tornado spirals around like a tornado on a steel track at super-fast speeds nearing 70 mph. This roller coaster takes riders upside-down three different times and even sends riders barreling through an underpass built right into the mountain.
5. Smokey Mountain River Rampage is a whitewater river rafting adventure that is guaranteed to soak you from head to toe. This fast-flowing river ride will have you holding on as you pivot down dips and winding bends and even drift past some waterfalls!
Other Rides
Daredevil Falls is an exciting water-based log ride located in Craftsman Valley. This thrilling log ride drops riders at a staggering 60ft into a pool of water below. Prepare to be drenched!
Blazing Fury is the least roller-coasty ride on this list. I absolutely loved this ride! Located in Craftsman’s Valley, Blazing Fury takes riders on a rapid ride through an old town, trying to escape and outrun the firey flames that have now taken over.
Dollywood’s Newest Coaster!
Big Bear Mountain is Dollywood’s newest roller coaster located in Wildwood Grove. It’s also the park’s longest coaster, circling Wildwood Grove on 3,990 feet of track. Park guests can find themselves on a memorable adventure in search of the big bear himself.
Take a ride on the Dollywood Express.
Don’t miss hopping aboard the famous Dollywood Express for a trip through the stunning Smokey Mountains.
The Dollywood Express is an old heritage railway and is considered to be the oldest attraction at the park, opening way back in 1961. The Dollywood Express is one of Dollywood’s iconic attractions.
Enjoy The Shows and Live Entertainment
The park is home to a large variety of live entertainment and shows. You may have guessed it, but the park offers an abundance of country music performances.
Dollywood has many wonderful show options for guests of all ages. Be sure to check out the park’s oldest Southern gospel group, the Kingdom Heirs. They perform five times a day at the Palace Theater in Showstreet.
To see the full lineup be sure to head on over to the Dollywood app for the daily schedule.
Explore The Dolly Parton Museum – Chasing Rainbows
Spend the afternoon exploring the Chasing Rainbows Museum, a state-of-the-art museum solely based on Dolly Parton herself. Follow in Dolly’s footsteps and read about her career highlights, personal stories, and memorabilia.
Be sure to check out her beautiful costumes and gowns worn at many concerts & award shows and her display of music award plaques & trophies. (My top-rated)
Admire the majestic eagles at Eagle Mountain Sanctuary
Dollywood is home to the largest exhibit of non-releasable Bald Eagles in the United States. Guests of the park can get a closer view of these impressive birds of prey at the Eagle Mountain Sanctuary in Craftsman’s Valley.
Learn about the American Eagle Foundation and its mission to help protect and preserve these incredible birds.
Shop at Dollywood’s many gift stores and boutiques
Shop the many unique stores Dollywood has on offer. The best place to find Dolly merch is at the Dollywood Emporium located on Showstreet, this place has something for everyone, including hats, apparel, gifts & souvenirs.
Looking for more? there’s also Dolly’s Closet, Rivertown Christmas, Hillside General Store, Mountain Grove Merchants, and more.
Enjoy the many seasonal festivities & events.
We happened to visit Dollywood in the Spring right when the Flower and Food Festival was on. The park was filled with colorful umbrellas that lined Showstreet. The festival also showcased many beautiful plant sculptures & flowers, live music, and a variety of delicious spring treats.
My favorite festival food was the fruit-infused refreshers (so good). They also had plantain chips with mango salsa & fresh berries, and lavender funnel cake. (My top-rated)
BEST PLACES TO EAT
It’s no surprise that Dollywood is well known for its award-winning southern eats. I’ll be real. My favorite part about the park was trying out all the delicious food. So whether you’re up for a hearty sit-down meal or a sweet tasty snack, Dollywood has you covered.
Check out below some of Dollywood’s most popular restaurants and dishes that are a must-try when visiting the park.
Spotlight Bakery
As the classic saying goes, there’s always room for dessert! One place you won’t want to miss on Showstreet is Spotlight Bakery. Famously known for its whopping 25-pound apple pie.
Handmade and baked to perfection, one single serving of this beauty weighs three pounds alone and can serve up to four adults. If you dare to go the full nine yards, you can also purchase the entire 25-pound pie, skillet, and all for just $229.00.
Grist Mill
If you only happen to try one thing at Dollywood, let it be the park’s iconic pull-apart cinnamon bread. Freshly baked right in front of your eyes, this irresistible dessert is usually found at the Grist Mill in Craftsman’s Valley (following a very long line of park guests).
Served with hot icing and only $10.08 a roll, this is one tasty treat you won’t want to miss. Hot Tip: The cinnamon bread actually comes as a large loaf which is more than enough to share, in my opinion. You can also try it with apple butter for an extra $1.00, which I highly recommend. (My top-rated)
Miss Lillian’s Smokehouse
Located in Craftsman’s Valley is Miss Lillian’s Smokehouse. An all-you-can-eat buffet restaurant serving up some of the finest southern foods, such as smoked beef, sliced ham, and smoked or fried chicken. Sides also include green beans with mashed potato and white pepper gravy.
Granny Ogles Ham & Beans.
Also located in Craftsman’s Valley is Ganny Ogles’s famous Ham & Beans. Classic dishes include the meatloaf stacker with tomato glaze and crust bread with a side of mashed potatoes.
Beef pot roast slow-cooked and served with a side of green beans, and mash & lastly, the pit ham slow-cooked and pulled served with a side of mashed potatoes and pinto beans. (My top-rated)
The Best Quick Bites
Flower & Food Festival
Where: Showstreet
What to try: The fruit-infused refreshers
Dog & Taters
Where: Rivertown Junction
What to try: Footlong corn dog with tater twirls
Sky View Snacks
Where: Wilderness Pass
What to try: The butterfly-shaped pretzel with mustard.
Hickory House BBQ
Where: Craftsman’s Valley
What to try: BBQ pork sandwich with a side of corn and the loaded fries with pulled pork topped with cheese & sour cream.
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SEASONAL EVENTS & FESTIVALS
Enjoy the many festivals and events at Dollywood all year round! Don’t miss the many seasonal festivities, from summer fireworks to a wintery Christmas wonderland. Check out below the many fun events & festivals held at Dollywood.
I Will Always Love You Music Festival: March-April
It’s the 50th anniversary of one of Dolly’s biggest hit singles, I will always love you! and in true Dollywood style, the park is celebrating with an event that will take place on March 9th – April 14th.
The festival is to commemorate the art of stories within songwriting. In addition to this monumental achievement, there will also be other notable/upcoming artists who will be performing throughout the park.
Flower & Food Festival: April-June
Explore Dollywood in full bloom! Dollywood’s Flower & Food Festival features over-the-top plant sculptures and more than half a million colorful flowers placed throughout the park. Don’t miss the perfect photo op underneath the colorful umbrellas that line Dollywood’s Showstreet. April 19th – June 9th.
Smoky Mountain Summer Celebration: June-August
Enjoy Dollywood’s annual Summer Celebration featuring summer entertainment, extended park hours, and nightly fireworks displays. Make it the best summer ever and cool off at Dollywood Splash Country, where guests can enjoy a variety of waterslides, lazy rivers, and other water park attractions. June 15th – August 11th.
Harvest Festival: September-October
Dollywood in the fall is possibly the best time of year to visit the park! With glowing jack-o-lanterns around every corner and gigantic pumpkin displays, you won’t want to miss the park’s greatest Pumpkin LumiNights Festival. September 9th – October 28th.
Smokey Mountian Christmas: November-January
Enjoy Dollywood at its most magical! Experience Dollywood’s Smoky Mountain Christmas with more than 5 million sparkling lights displayed throughout the park, nightly fireworks displays, and of course, the famous fifty-foot Christmas tree made of glowing lights. November 1st – January 5th.
MY TOP DOLLYWOOD TIPS
Download the Dollywood app
To really maximize your visit to the park, I highly recommend downloading the Dollywood App. It has everything you would ever need to know to make your visit to the park more easygoing such as the location of rides, restaurants, and shopping.
It also has an interactive map, live wait times, scheduled shows & entertainment, plus exclusive offers.
Drink LOADS of water
The most important tip when visiting any theme park is to keep hydrated. Dollywood offers free water at all restaurants & food stalls. So be sure to drink up & keep hydrated between rides.
Visit during the festivals.
Experiencing Dollywood during the Flower & Food Festival was such a treat. The park was filled with beautiful garden sculptures, tasty food, and lively entertainment. If you can, I recommend visiting when the festivals are taking place.
Experience Dollywood in the fall with the glowing jack-o-lanterns or during winter when the park is covered from head to toe in sparkling Christmas lights.
Buy the 2-day Park Ticket.
Dollywood is too big to see all in one day. I suggest getting a 2-day park ticket so you can experience two full days at the park.
Another great thing about having a 2-day ticket is that you can decide to visit any two days within a 5-day period or less. I found this to be very handy as one of the days we planned to visit rained, so we opted for the next day, which had better weather.
Skip parking and take the trolley.
Save on parking and take the town trolley instead. Parking at Dollywood costs $25.00 per day. luckily, guests can catch the Pigeon Forge trolley from Patriot Park for as little as $2.50 and skip parking altogether.
Bonus tip! If you’re staying at the Dollywood DreamMore Resort, guests receive complimentary shuttle service to both Dollywood and Splash Country. #win
Keep your eyes peeled, you might see Dolly!
It’s the burning question everybody asks: does Dolly ever visit Dollywood? The answer is YES! Dolly does occasionally visit the park when there is a major new opening, celebration, or ride.
Your best bet at seeing the queen herself is to check with the park officials, and they should tell you when the next big scheduled celebration is.
Plus, I also heard on the grapevine that Dolly sometimes strolls the park undercover, and seeing as no one knows what Dolly looks like without her usual persona, she can easily stroll the park going unnoticed. So it’s worth keeping your eyes peeled as you may spot Dolly in disguise.
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I hope you found my Dollywood guide helpful. This was my first-ever visit to the park, and I had the best time! I have to admit I am a little bit of a Dolly Parton fan, so when I booked tickets for the upcoming Spring, I was super excited to see what Dollywood had in store.
Let me know if you have been to Dollywood and what you enjoyed most at the park. I loved eating all the food (of course) and seeing the bald eagles.
Just a heads up! This post contains affiliate links. If you purchase through one of these links, I may receive a small commission that helps support this blog.
You will not pay more when you buy through these links. All opinions are my own, and I would never recommend anything I don’t personally love.
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Lori
Beautifully displayed and presented. My son took his wife there this week for her birthday. Continued $ucce$$ with your website and venture.
Ashlea Paige
It’s such a fun place! I would love to go back.