You’ll be pleasantly surprised to know that the Smoky Mountains can be one of the most affordable vacation destinations in the country! Regardless of your budget, you can have an amazing time in the Smokies without spending a fortune. There are plenty of exciting things to do that cost much less than you would think, including our whitewater rafting trips on the Pigeon River! Here are the top 4 ways to save money on your Smoky Mountain vacation:
1. Spend Time Exploring the National Park
A great way to save money on your Smoky Mountain vacation is by spending time at the National Park! Great Smoky Mountains National Park is one of the few parks in the country that offer free admission, so take advantage of this wonderful benefit by exploring some of the many hiking trails and scenic drives through the park! The only thing that you’ll need to purchase is a parking tag for your vehicle, which is required when stopping in the park for longer than 15 minutes at a time. You can purchase your parking pass ahead of time online to be prepared when you arrive on vacation. You may want to spend several days in the park as you’ll not only find natural wonders but some fascinating historical structures and native wildlife!
2. Use Coupons and Discounts for Your Trip
If you are spending some time in the Gatlinburg area, stop by the Gatlinburg Welcome Center to pick up brochures and coupons for area attractions! The savings for all the fun local activities can add up quickly, making this stop well worth your time! When planning your white water rafting adventure, you’ll find that our discount automatically applies when making your rafting reservations online! You can also save money by purchasing our rafting packages and combo deals, which combine our trips with other awesome local attractions!
3. Enjoy Free Activities Throughout the Smokies
In addition to our Gatlinburg attraction deals, there are lots of activities in the Smokies where you don’t have to spend a dime! Visit one of the area’s city parks for an afternoon picnic and then take a stroll through the streets of downtown Gatlinburg to do some window shopping. Some places along the Strip offer free samples, including wine, hard cider, and moonshine!
4. Consider Camping Rather Than a Hotel
Please note: Pigeon River Campground is temporarily closed due to damage from Hurricane Helene.
One of the easiest ways to save money on your Smoky Mountain vacation is to consider camping rather than staying in a hotel! As luck would have it, you’ll find the Pigeon River Campground right next door to the departure point for our whitewater rafting trips! This lovely campground features tent sites, RV sites, and camping cabins, as well as tons of great amenities such as a swimming pool, recreational equipment, fishing access, and a convenient camp store! Since accommodations are generally the most expensive part of a vacation, this is a great way to save some serious bucks!
Start Planning Your Smoky Mountain Vacation
Check out all of our whitewater rafting trips in the Smokies today to make the most of your Smoky Mountain vacation! We look forward to seeing you soon!
