Summer in the Smokies is getting a fresh wave of chlorine this week. Country Cascades Waterpark Resort’s outdoor park in Pigeon Forge opens this Friday, giving families one more place to cool off as the busy season ramps up. The seasonal outdoor area brings waterslides, a kids’ splash zone with a giant tipping bucket, private poolside cabanas, and a snack shack serving slushies and snacks. Resort wristbands are expected to give guests access to both the indoor and outdoor water parks, adding another crowd-pleaser to Pigeon Forge’s already packed summer lineup as properties across town gear up for holiday traffic.
What’s Opening at Country Cascades
Country Cascades bills the new outdoor park as an 80,000-gallon playground that will operate from this Friday through the fall. Headlining the lineup are a 300-foot RiverRun body slide, the two-person RiverChaser raft attraction, and Selena Squirrel’s Splashaway Bay for younger kids. The resort’s information notes that Splashaway Bay features an open-air racer, a 30-foot enclosed slide, and a 350-gallon tipping bucket, plus a beached-entry leisure pool designed with smaller swimmers in mind and private poolside cabanas available to rent. It also states that room wristbands unlock unlimited access to both the outdoor and indoor water parks, according to Country Cascades' site.
City Previews the Park on Facebook
The City of Pigeon Forge Department of Tourism offered an early look at the outdoor waterpark on Facebook on Monday, sharing photos and a short caption that spotlighted the slides, cabanas, and the snack shack. The post also includes a booking shortcut and a photo gallery that clearly shows Selena Squirrel’s Splashaway Bay and the cabana areas, according to the City of Pigeon Forge Department of Tourism's Facebook post.
Practical Details for Visitors
The outdoor waterpark’s operating calendar lists an opening this Friday and notes it will stay open through the fall, with cabanas offered for rent and food available at a poolside Snack Shack, according to Country Cascades' site. Travel listings mirror the seasonal opening and show room availability tied to waterpark access for the resort, per Booking.com. Visitors are advised to anticipate crowded holiday weekends and consider reserving cabanas or rooms early to secure wristband access to both parks.
Why It Matters for the Local Summer Season
The resort expansion folds into a larger tourism push in Pigeon Forge, with state tourism officials describing the project as roughly a $15 million investment that brings added amenities and special events for guests. The state press release also outlines the park’s marquee attractions and highlights the Collier family’s long-running role in local lodging operations, according to Tennessee Vacation Press. As other major attractions reopen for the season, the extra waterpark capacity is expected to help spread visitors across more venues during the busiest summer weekends.
