If you haven't been to the Smokies in a year or two, 2026 is a genuinely good time to come back. The corridor between Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge is always adding something new, but this particular year has a handful of openings that are worth planning around rather than just stumbling into. A world-first ride at Dollywood. The only all-glass gondola system on the planet, right here in Gatlinburg. A brand-new indoor attraction type that doesn't exist anywhere else in the region.
Here's a rundown of what's new, what's open, and what's still on the way.
Dollywood: NightFlight Expedition
The biggest news in Smoky Mountains tourism in years isn't a stretch — it's a $50 million ride at Dollywood that represents the largest attraction investment in the park's 41-year history.
NightFlight Expedition is the world's first indoor family hybrid coaster and whitewater river raft ride. The 5.5-minute experience takes guests through four distinct segments: a nighttime flight simulation, a whitewater rafting excursion through more than 500,000 gallons of water, a roller coaster segment, and a boat ride across a shimmering lake. The whole thing unfolds inside a 44,000-square-foot climate-controlled building in Wildwood Grove, which means it runs regardless of weather and operates with immersive projection, audio, and lighting effects throughout.
The ride's story follows twin scientists Cora and Jasper Oakley on an expedition to find Secret Lake, tracking bioluminescent light through the Smoky Mountain wilderness. The custom amphibious ride vehicle was built by MACK Rides, which won the 2025 Amusement Today Golden Ticket for Best New Innovation thanks to the ride system.
NightFlight Expedition is open now and included with standard Dollywood admission. If there's one reason to add Dollywood to your 2026 itinerary even if you've been before, this is it.
Dollywood is located at 2700 Dollywood Parks Blvd, Pigeon Forge, TN 37863. Visit dollywood.com for tickets and hours.
Anakeesta: Crystal Express Gondola
Anakeesta, the mountaintop attraction in Gatlinburg, has been in the middle of an ambitious five-year, $100 million expansion — and the first major piece of that plan just opened to the public.
The Crystal Express opened on May 22, replacing the chairlift that has been at the attraction since it opened in 2017. The new high-speed gondola features 56 panoramic cabins with glass floors and walls, offering 360-degree views of the Great Smoky Mountains and downtown Gatlinburg on a four-minute ride to the summit. It's the only all-glass gondola system in the world — a distinction that's easy to say and genuinely impressive when you're standing inside one of the cabins watching Gatlinburg fall away beneath your feet.
Beyond the gondola itself, Anakeesta is also debuting the Firefly Experience in 2026 — an immersive attraction inspired by the synchronous glow of Smoky Mountain fireflies, using state-of-the-art lighting and design to recreate the magical phenomenon all year long. The Treetop Skywalk is also expanding with new towers and bridges going deeper into the forest canopy.
The new gondola system can accommodate more than 2,000 people per hour — a significant upgrade from the old lift, which averaged 22 to 25 minutes per ride. Faster loading, more capacity, and the glass floor experience make the arrival at Anakeesta part of the visit rather than just transportation to it.
Anakeesta is located on the Parkway in downtown Gatlinburg. Visit anakeesta.com for tickets and current hours.
Slick City Action Park: Coming to Pigeon Forge
Slick City Action Park is the world's first indoor slide and air court park, and it's coming to Pigeon Forge later in 2026 at the former TopJump Trampoline & Extreme Arena location at 3735 Parkway. The park features more than 20 giant slides — including a Mega Launch that sends you into the air and drops you into an airbag, a Twister spiral, a Big Wave half-pipe, and a Royal Flush bowl — plus indoor basketball and dodgeball on inflatable air courts, a kids' soft play area, and an arcade.
It's fully climate-controlled, which makes it the rare Smokies attraction that works just as well on a rainy July afternoon as on a sunny one. For families with kids, it fills a genuine gap in the indoor entertainment lineup. Exact opening date hadn't been confirmed at the time of writing — check slickcitypigeonforge.com for the latest.
Laurel Falls Trail Reopening
Not a new attraction exactly, but one that hikers who visited in the last year or two will be glad to hear about. The Laurel Falls Trail in Great Smoky Mountains National Park has been closed since January 2025 for planned improvements, including replacing old asphalt, expanding the parking area, and adding new viewing areas, with the National Park Service planning to open the improved trail around July 2026.
Laurel Falls is one of the most visited waterfalls in the national park — a relatively short 2.6-mile round trip on a paved trail that ends at a two-tiered cascade. It's a first hike for a lot of families visiting the Smokies, and its absence has been noticeable. The improvements include a widened and resurfaced trail, a wider bridge at the falls, a new viewing platform, and expanded parking. When it reopens, it'll be better than it's been in years.
Check the National Park Service website at nps.gov/grsm for the official reopening date, as it's confirmed.
What Else Is New in 2026
Beyond the headline openings, a handful of smaller additions are worth knowing about if you're the type who likes to explore beyond the main attractions.
Scoundrel Hotel, Gatlinburg — A boutique hotel concept on Airport Road blending Moonshine lore, Appalachian history, and upscale-rustic design. Event and wedding spaces, culinary experiences, and a distinctive personality that stands out on a street full of familiar chains. Opening date was still TBA at time of writing.
Hatfield & McCoy Experience, Pigeon Forge — A new museum presenting the story of the legendary Appalachian feud through authentic artifacts and exhibits, presented by actual family members. Also includes ice cream, a gift shop, gem mining, and shine tasting. Now open.
Reggae Jam Restaurant, Gatlinburg — Caribbean cuisine on the Parkway, offering a genuine departure from the BBQ-and-pancakes options that dominate the corridor. Now open.
Andy's Frozen Custard, Pigeon Forge — The Texas-based chain known for fresh-made custard is adding a Pigeon Forge location in 2026. For anyone who has encountered them elsewhere and been a fan, it's worth knowing they're coming to the Smokies.
Planning a Trip Around What's New
The strongest argument for timing a 2026 Smokies trip around these openings is that NightFlight Expedition and the Anakeesta Crystal Express are both genuinely first-of-their-kind experiences — not upgraded versions of something that already existed, but things you can't experience anywhere else in the world. That's a rare thing to be able to say about any destination, let alone one that already draws 12 million visitors a year.
If you're planning a stay in the area this summer, we keep a small, hand-picked portfolio of cabins across the Sevierville, Pigeon Forge, and Gatlinburg area — take a look at what's available at smokiestays.com/cabins. Our bookings open July 1, with availability across the heart of summer season.
Information in this article reflects confirmed and announced openings as of May 2026. Opening dates for attractions still under construction are subject to change. For the most current details, visit the official websites linked throughout this article or check pigeonforge.com/plan-your-visit/new-in-pigeon-forge for ongoing updates.