Cooter's Place, the Dukes of Hazzard museum on the Pigeon Forge Parkway, is gearing up for its last ride in town. The attraction has announced that its Pigeon Forge location will close at the end of the year, with a "final season" of reunions, meet-and-greets and special events planned through the rest of 2026. The brand's Nashville and Luray locations are set to stay open after the Pigeon Forge curtain comes down.
In a message on its website, the Cooter's Place team said "we are preparing for our final season there" and promised a full slate of celebrations and cast visits. The site notes that the Pigeon Forge store "will be closing at the end of the year" while the other outposts continue operating, and describes the rest of 2026 as a closing run designed to give fans one more chance to see the General Lee and original show memorabilia in the Smokies.
Cast Reunions and Meet-and-Greets This Summer
The museum has lined up several original cast members for appearances during the closing season, including Catherine Bach, Tom Wopat, Byron Cherry and Jeff Altman. Specific meet-and-greet dates were shared in coverage of the announcement and in the venue's event listings, including Byron Cherry on July 4 and Catherine Bach on Aug. 22–23. As reported by the Knoxville News Sentinel, Wopat and Altman helped kick off the farewell run with appearances in May.
Smokies Staple With Gatlinburg Roots
Cooter's Place traces its Smoky Mountain roots to a Gatlinburg shop launched in 2002 that later expanded into Pigeon Forge, according to the museum. The attraction is closely tied to Ben Jones, who played Cooter on the TV series, and his partner Alma Viator, and regional guides and histories detail how Jones built the collection and live events that drew fans for years. Roadside America has chronicled the museum’s move into the Smokies and its role as a roadside pop culture stop. In its farewell message, the Cooter's team thanked local staff and said these final months are meant to celebrate the generations of visitors who kept the Dukes' spirit going, and Cooter's Place noted that the Nashville and Luray locations will remain open after the Pigeon Forge goodbye.
What the Shutdown Means for the Parkway
Cooter's Place has long been part of The Shops of Pigeon Forge and a regular stop along the Parkway tourist circuit, so its departure will pull one more niche pop culture attraction from that busy stretch. The museum's storefront is listed with the Pigeon Forge Chamber as part of The Shops of Pigeon Forge, and nearby businesses will be watching how the fall and winter seasons play out as the museum stages its closing events.
Fans hoping to be there for the send-off are encouraged to keep an eye on local listings and the museum's posted schedule for meet-and-greet and ticket details. Even after the Pigeon Forge location closes, the Nashville and Luray museums will stay open as places to see the General Lee and Dukes of Hazzard memorabilia.
