After Dolly Parton’s Death, Dollywood Announces Closure of Two Attractions
Two water rides at Dollywood in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, have shut down for the rest of the year. Dolly Parton’s theme park recently made the closures official, just as cooler weather is settling over the Smoky Mountains.
The Notice
Late last week, Dollywood posted a message to its Instagram story saying that two rides would be unavailable through the end of the 2026 operating season. The statement from @dollywood read:
“Starting on Saturday, Oct. 18, Daredevil Falls and Smoky Mountain River Rampage will be closed for the rest of the Dollywood operating season.”
There’s a small error in that wording. October 18, 2026, falls on a Sunday, not a Saturday. The date itself is not in doubt, though. As of Sunday, October 18, the park’s website lists both Daredevil Falls and Smoky Mountain River Rampage as “CURRENTLY CLOSED FOR THE REMAINDER OF THE 2026 SEASON.”
Plenty Left to Enjoy at Dollywood
Losing two water attractions as temperatures drop doesn’t leave visitors with nothing to do. The park, along with Dollywood’s DreamMore Resort and Spa and Dollywood’s HeartSong Lodge & Resort, is in the middle of its Harvest Festival & Great Pumpkin LumiNights celebration.
This year also introduced something new: Harvey’s Boo Bash, the first ticketed after-hours Halloween event in Dollywood’s history. The limited-capacity evening features treat trails, dance parties, themed snacks, rides after dark, and character meet-and-greets with Harvey and friends. Two nights remain, on October 23 and October 30.
Only one week left until the first night of Harvey’s Boo Bash, Dollywood’s NEW exclusive limited-capacity nighttime celebration! 🎢 🎃
Grab your Boo Bash tickets now using the link in our bio!
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What Comes Next
Harvest Festival & Great Pumpkin LumiNights wrap up on October 31. Dollywood’s Smoky Mountain Christmas then takes over the whole property, beginning November 6 and continuing through the close of the operating season on January 3, 2027.
Which Dollywood attraction is your favorite: Smoky Mountain River Rampage or Daredevil Falls? Share your opinion with Disney Dining in the comments!
