The Best Hotels with Pools to Book in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee

The island-inspired Margaritaville Island Hotel has a holiday atmosphere – with a rooftop pool-with-a-view where you can overlook the town as you bask. There are sky-blue walls in the bedrooms, exposed stone walls, fireplaces and more views. Set in the middle of a fantastical, stage-set-style entertainment zone, known as “the Island”, you can eat frozen yoghurt, splash in fountains, go on the big wheel or simply drink signature frozen margaritas. You’re also close to America’s most visited national park – the Great Smoky Mountains – where you can go horseback riding, rafting or picnicking.

This is one of the most impressive hotels with pools in Pigeon Forge. There’s a long, lazy river here, along with corkscrew slides and a lagoon-style outdoor pool. No need to stop swimming when the weather’s cold – the indoor pools are impressive, too, including a large angular pool and bubbling hot tub. Rooms have balconies with magnificent views over the Smoky Mountains and Pigeon River and come with polished pine furnishings. You can work out in the fitness center or bond with your teenagers in the games room.

Overlooking the rushing river, this family-friendly resort also has superb swimming pools: a lazy river that you can float around on inflatables while indoors, there’s another superb place to swim, set in a glass-walled conservatory-style enclosure with views. Spacious condos have chintz or striped bedspreads and sofas, granite worktops and whirlpool bathtubs – some have wooden rocking chairs on the verandas and balconies overlooking more rolling green views. There’s also a nature trail and playground, plus a luxurious spa to knead away any knots.

The mecca for Dolly fans, Dollywood has the natural-styled “Swimming Hole” – which has an appealingly beach-like gentle incline. There’s a cascading waterfall, interactive family splash pad and a relaxing outdoor hot tub. Indoors, the Garden House is a glass-walled, wood-beamed building with a heated indoor pool with stunning views over the beautiful Smoky Mountains. The resort vibe is “Dolly’s front porch” and lush accommodation has all comforts with some touches adding character – including colorful curved mirrors and headboards. Splash Country is one of the best outdoor water parks in the US, complete with incredible slides and flumes.

Just minutes from Dollywood, this smart, family-friendly hotel has big views of the Smoky Mountains and West Prong Little Pigeon River. The rooms are decorated in pale neutrals, with large, comfortable beds – while communal areas have a more rustic look, with exposed stone walls, stag-head decor and wooden doors. The outdoor heated pool here is large and lagoon-like, with a water fountain and slide. You can eat wood-fired pizza in the Fox Den restaurant and drink local craft beer in the Fox Den Bar.

The Marriott is one of the best hotels with pools in Pigeon Forge – with a snaking lazy river centered on a garden island – as well as indoor pools for when the weather turns chilly. Other places to relax or meet other guests include the fire pits and the hot tubs. You’re also well catered for: sip hand-crafted cocktails, craft beers, or a Starbucks at the stylish Courtyard Pigeon Forge – or, order 24hr room service to your cappuccino-pale room and enjoy it while looking out over the river beneath the Smoky Mountains.

This is one of the most popular hotels with pools in Pigeon Forge – for its lovely riverside setting, good food and more. Choose between the heated indoor pool with hot tub or the outdoor pool with its sundeck and views of the river bend. Handsome rooms have polished wooden headboards, exposed flagstone walls and faux fireplaces – where some come with balconies. Pigeon Forge Snow amusement park and the Dukes of Hazzard museum are just two blocks walk away, while the Island complex – with its many restaurants, bars and amusement rides – is also walkable.

Handily located close to the bustle – and within a short drive of the natural splendor of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and its hiking trails and zipline adventures – this is a great hotel with pools in Pigeon Forge. Choose whether you want to swim indoors – where there’s a hot tub as well as a pool – or out, where the pool includes a lazy river and corkscrew slide. The accommodations here have warm cream walls, statement curtains and polished wood headboards – and some come with hot tubs and fireplaces.