Summer has officially arrived at Dollywood, and the resort is wasting no time rolling out one of its biggest seasonal lineups in years. Splash Country has reopened for its 26th operating season, new nighttime events are launching, and families are once again flooding into the Smoky Mountains for water slides, live entertainment, and long summer days at Dolly Parton’s famous resort destination.
But while the park celebrates the start of another busy season, a very different story continues unfolding behind the scenes.
Weeks after severe storm damage struck Dollywood’s Eagle Mountain Sanctuary, two bald eagles are still missing, creating an unexpected challenge during one of the busiest stretches of the year.
Splash Country Kicks Off Summer at Dollywood
Dollywood’s Splash Country officially reopened on May 16, signaling the beginning of the resort’s summer season. The water park introduced several new additions this year, including Neon Nights, a separately ticketed after-hours event featuring glowing lights, nighttime entertainment, special dining options, and lighter crowds.
The resort also brought back Splash Bash LIVE performances while adding new food items and upgraded guest spaces throughout the park.
For many visitors, Splash Country reopening is the moment when Dollywood fully transitions into summer operations. Vacation crowds increase, cabins around Pigeon Forge fill up, and the entire area becomes one of the busiest tourist destinations in the Southeast.
This year, however, summer has arrived with a serious complication still hanging over the resort.
Storm Damage Created an Emergency Situation
Back in April, powerful storms moved through East Tennessee and caused damage at Dollywood’s Eagle Mountain Sanctuary. During the storm, a tree reportedly fell and damaged the sanctuary enclosure, allowing three bald eagles to escape.
The American Eagle Foundation immediately launched a recovery operation alongside sanctuary staff.
One eagle, Caesar, was eventually recovered after being spotted in a nearby pasture. Officials identified him using his orange identification band before safely transporting him to a rehabilitation facility.
But two other eagles, Rockland and Wesley, remain missing.
That search has now stretched into Dollywood’s summer season.
Why the Search Has Become So Urgent
According to the American Eagle Foundation, both missing eagles have injuries that make survival in the wild extremely difficult.
Officials explained that the birds can still fly to some extent, but prior wing and shoulder injuries severely limit their ability to hunt and survive independently. Search crews have reportedly been tracking sightings across the Southeast while relying heavily on tips from local residents.
The foundation also revealed that Rockland may have suffered additional injuries during the storm, including bruising near the beak area.
That is why this situation has become such a race against time.
This is not simply a case of birds wandering away from the sanctuary. These are non-releasable bald eagles that depend on protected care environments.
As summer temperatures rise and tourism traffic increases around the Smoky Mountains, search teams continue pushing to locate both birds safely before conditions become even more difficult.
Dollywood Faces a Difficult Summer Balance
The timing could hardly be more challenging for the resort.
Dollywood is entering one of its busiest and most important operational periods of the entire year. Guests are arriving for summer vacations, Splash Country is running full operations, and Dollywood itself continues welcoming major seasonal crowds.
At the same time, the eagle sanctuary situation remains unresolved.
For many longtime visitors, Eagle Mountain Sanctuary represents one of the emotional centerpieces of the park. The exhibit has long served as both an educational experience and a conservation effort focused on caring for bald eagles that cannot survive in the wild.
That connection is part of the reason the missing birds story has resonated so strongly with fans.
Even as roller coasters run and water slides fill with guests, many visitors continue watching closely for updates about Rockland and Wesley.
The Summer Season Continues — But So Does the Search
Dollywood’s summer plans are still moving forward in full force. Splash Country is open, new events are launching, and the resort remains one of the most popular vacation destinations in the region.
But the storm damage from earlier this spring continues leaving a noticeable impact.
Until both missing eagles are safely recovered, the situation surrounding Eagle Mountain Sanctuary will likely remain one of the biggest ongoing stories connected to Dollywood this summer.
