Patriot Park

Patriot Park is Pigeon Forge's premier public park, and it serves a purpose that few tourists realize they desperately need until they discover it: a completely free, peaceful, natural space where families can decompress from the sensory overload of the Pigeon Forge Parkway. Located along the Little Pigeon River near the Old Mill, this well-maintained park offers playgrounds, river access for wading, a paved riverwalk path, and picnic pavilions — all without spending a dollar.

The Little Pigeon River is the park's greatest asset. The section flowing through Patriot Park is wide, shallow, and gentle — perfect for kids to wade, splash, and explore. River access points near the pavilions let families walk right down to the water's edge.

Kids spend hours turning over rocks to discover crayfish, building small rock dams, and skipping stones across calm pools. The water is clean and refreshingly cool, sourced from the mountain streams of the Great Smoky Mountains just a few miles upstream. Water shoes are essential, as the river bottom is rocky.

The Riverwalk is a paved path that follows the river through the park and continues into the Old Mill area. It is flat, well-maintained, and perfect for strollers, bikes, and scooters. The views along the walk — the river below, mature trees providing shade, and the Smoky Mountain foothills in the distance — provide a welcome visual contrast to the commercial strip.

Families who bring bikes or scooters for their kids find the Riverwalk an ideal place to ride, with no car traffic and pleasant scenery throughout.

The playground equipment is modern and well-maintained, with climbing structures, slides, and swings for various age ranges. Unlike playgrounds in the tourist-area parking lots, Patriot Park's play area sits in a genuine park setting with grass, shade trees, and mountain views. Picnic pavilions with tables are available first-come, first-served, and families frequently bring lunch to eat after playground and river time.

The park's location adjacent to the Old Mill Square creates a natural pairing. Families can spend a free morning wading in the river and playing at the playground, then walk to the Old Mill Restaurant for lunch, browse the Apple Barn shops, and return to the park for more play. This half-day itinerary costs nothing beyond the meal and provides one of the most balanced family experiences in the area — blending nature, history, food, and play without the commercial intensity of the Parkway.