The Inn on the River

09/04/2026

After more than 12 years of being such an important part of our Inn on the River family, our sweet Kathy is retiring. ❤️

Kathy has been with us since May of 2014, and saying that she will be missed does not even begin to cover it.

Over the years, we have been blessed not only to work alongside Kathy, but to have the honor of calling her our friend and, even more importantly, our family. So many of our longtime guests know Kathy by name, love her, and look forward to seeing her when they visit. She has spent years taking care of our guests, our team, and all of us behind the scenes in ways most people will never even know.

Around here, she will always be our tiny little Kathy, and we absolutely adore her. ❤️

Kathy has one of the kindest Christian hearts you could ever hope to know. She has cared for people, prayed for people, encouraged people, laughed with us, worried about us, and loved this Inn and the people in it like family. Her presence here is something that simply cannot be replaced.

As hard as it is for us to see her go, if anyone has earned the chance to slow down, relax, and enjoy retirement, it is Kathy. We know God has beautiful plans for this next chapter of her life, and spending her days with her husband and puppy near the lake sounds pretty wonderful to us. We certainly cannot fault her for that. ❤️

But before she goes, we want Kathy to see something.

If you have ever stayed with us and had an interaction with Kathy, worked with her, laughed with her, been helped by her, or simply have a special memory or story about her, PLEASE share it in the comments.

We want to fill this post with stories, memories, and love so Kathy can see just how many lives she has touched over the years and how very much she means to all of us.

Kathy, thank you for more than 12 years of love, loyalty, laughter, faith, friendship, and taking care of this crazy Inn on the River family.

You may be retiring from the The Inn, but you will never retire from being part of our family.

We love you, Tiny Kathy. ❤️

Now everyone help us show her just how loved she truly is.

09/03/2026

Sometimes you just need a place to slow down. ❤️

Enjoy our Blooms & Balcony Suite, one of our upgraded River Balcony Fireplace Jacuzzi rooms, and one of our favorite places to relax at The Inn on the River.

Imagine stepping out onto your private balcony overlooking the Little Pigeon River, curling up in a comfy robe beside the fireplace, and enjoying a warm cup of Hershey’s hot chocolate, vanilla cappuccino, coffee or tea. ☕🔥

Or forget everything else for a little while and relax in the Jacuzzi. 🛁

With the cooler months just around the corner, there is something extra special about having the river outside your balcony, a warm fire inside and nowhere you have to be.

Rest. Relax. Breathe in that Smoky Mountain air. Stay in your robe a little longer. You’re on vacation. ❤️

Who would you bring with you for a cozy riverside getaway? Tag them below! 👇

09/01/2026

We had the most incredible visitor at The Inn on the River today. 🦅❤️

There is just something so special about seeing a bald eagle in person, but watching this beautiful one perched right here along the river with the Smoky Mountains behind him was truly breathtaking.

We already think our little spot on the river is pretty special, but moments like this remind us just how blessed we are to call Pigeon Forge and the Great Smoky Mountains home.

What a beautiful reminder to slow down, look around, and appreciate the incredible beauty God has placed all around us. ❤️

Have you ever spotted a bald eagle while visiting the Smokies?

**Photo Credits to our very own Chef Michael

08/26/2026

Our hearts are incredibly heavy as we mourn the loss of Dolly Parton.

For those of us here in Sevier County, Dolly was so much more than a world famous entertainer. She was part of the heart of our home.

She never forgot where she came from, and because of that, she changed countless lives. Through the Imagination Library, she put books into the hands of children who may never fully understand just how special the woman behind those books truly was. Through her generosity, her faith, her kindness and her love for these mountains and the people who call them home, she gave back over and over again.

Dolly showed the world that you could dream bigger than anyone thought possible while still holding tightly to your roots. She brought joy, opportunity and hope to this community, and somehow made people from every walk of life feel like there was a place for them.

Here at The Inn on the River, we have always been so proud to call Sevier County home, and Dolly was one of the greatest reasons to be proud of it.

Her music will live on, but even greater than the music is the kindness she leaves behind. Generations of children will read because of her. Families in this community have been helped because of her. People all over the world learned a little more about the beauty and spirit of East Tennessee because of her.

There will simply never be another Dolly.

Our thoughts and prayers are with her family, her friends, the Dollywood family, and everyone whose heart is hurting today.

Thank you, Dolly, for loving these mountains, loving our community and showing the world just how far a kind heart and a big dream can reach. You will be deeply missed. ❤️

08/21/2026

🚙✌️ THE JEEPS HAVE INVADED PIGEON FORGE! ✌️🚙

And WOW… you all SHOWED UP!!! 😍

We knew Jeep Invasion weekend was going to be big, but the turnout around Pigeon Forge this year is absolutely CRAZY! Everywhere you look there are Jeeps, Jeeps and MORE Jeeps, and we absolutely love seeing it!

The Great Smoky Mountain Jeep Invasion is celebrating its 14th year right here in Pigeon Forge, bringing Jeep lovers from all over the country to the Smokies. This year's event is bigger than ever with more than 300 vendors, incredible Jeeps, accessories, onsite installations, the Show & Shine and, of course, one AMAZING Jeep community. 🚙🏔️

To all of our Jeep Invasion guests staying with us at The Inn on the River, WELCOME! ❤️ We are so excited to have you here. We hope you enjoy your time in Pigeon Forge, make some great memories, meet some new friends and have an incredible weekend in the Smokies.

And to everyone cruising the Parkway… we see you! 👀😂 There are some seriously AWESOME Jeeps in town this weekend!

We would LOVE to see yours! Drop a picture of your Jeep in the comments and tell us where you traveled from! 🚙👇

Welcome to Pigeon Forge, Jeepers! We are so happy you're here! ✌️❤️🏔️

2026 Jeep Invasion™ The 2026 Smoky Mountain Invasion™ Get Ready for the 14th Annual Invasion™ in Pigeon Forge! Mark your calendars! The 14th Annual Invasion™ is rolling back into Pigeon Forge, Tennessee on August 20th, 21st, and 22nd, 2026—and you won’t want to miss it. Hosted once again...

08/19/2026

One of the most special things about The Inn on the River has never been something you can find on an amenities list. ❤️ It is the people.

Over the years, we have watched guests meet other guests during breakfast, sitting by the river, around the firepit, in the lobby, or simply while enjoying their stay. Some of those conversations have turned into friendships that have lasted for years. We have also been incredibly blessed to have guests who started out as visitors and, somewhere along the way, became friends and even family to us.

Those relationships mean more to us than you probably realize, and we would LOVE to hear your stories. 🥰

Have you met another guest at The Inn on the River who became a friend? Is there a member of our team you look forward to seeing every time you visit? Maybe you have been coming for so many years that walking through our doors feels a little like coming home.

Share your story with us in the comments! Tell us about the friendships, funny moments, special conversations, or people you have met because of your stays with us. If they are on Facebook, tag them too! ❤️

Hotels are made of rooms, but The Inn on the River has always been made special by the people inside them. We cannot wait to read your stories.

08/18/2026

There is so much more to enjoy at The Inn on the River than just your room! ☀️
Spend a little time outside, slow down, and enjoy some of our favorite outdoor amenities. Challenge someone to a game of co****le, XL Connect 4, or XL Jenga, grab some of our free pool toys and goggles for the kids, feed the ducks, or find a quiet bench by the river and just enjoy the view. 🦆
Planning a cookout? We have gas grills available to reserve, plus park style grills in the back, picnic tables for gathering together, and plenty of space to relax. And when the evening cools down, our riverside firepit is one of the best places to sit back and enjoy a Smoky Mountain night. 🔥
Whether you are here with the kids, your sweetheart, friends, or the whole family, there is always something to do and plenty of places to simply enjoy being together.
Come see us, stay awhile, and make some memories by the river. ❤️

08/13/2026

🍂 Who’s ready for a little fall weather in the Smokies? 🍁

We love every season here at The Inn on the River, but there is something extra special about those cooler mornings, crisp evenings, and the first hints of fall color in the mountains. After all the summer showers, we would not mind a few more sunny days either! ☀️🍂

Before we know it, the leaves will be changing, the fire pit will feel even cozier, and fall will be in the air. ❤️

Who else is ready for it?

08/10/2026

Congratulations to the Binkley Family, the winner of our Ultimate Pigeon Forge Getaway Giveaway! ❤️

We are so excited to welcome you to The Inn on the River for your getaway and hope you make some wonderful memories while you are here!

To everyone who voted for us in the Best of Pigeon Forge and entered our giveaway, THANK YOU! We truly wish we could give every single one of you a getaway. Your votes, your kind words, and your continued support mean more to our entire Inn on the River family than we could ever put into words.

Because of YOU, we were voted Best Hotel in Pigeon Forge for the 8th year in a row, and this year we were also honored to win Best Free Breakfast in Pigeon Forge! We never forget that these awards come from the people who stay with us, return year after year, recommend us to their friends and family, and continue to believe in what we do.

Congratulations again to the Binkley Family! 🎉

And to everyone who participated, thank you from the bottom of our hearts. We are incredibly grateful for each and every one of you! ❤️

Send a message to learn more

08/07/2026

🏆 The giveaway winner will officially be announced this Monday!

We truly cannot thank you enough for every vote, every share, and every person who took a few moments out of their day to support our Inn. Being voted for by the people who have stayed with us, made memories with us, want to make memories with us and become part of our Inn family means more than any award ever could.

Keep an eye on our page Monday because one lucky voter has something extra to celebrate!

And from our entire Inn on the River family, thank you for believing in us, supporting us, and continuing to choose us year after year.