Key Takeaways
The best active dates match your energy level, so pick a ride, a trail, or a game you can both enjoy without anyone feeling rushed.
WildSide makes it easy to build an adventure date around the MegaZip, UTV tours, or mountain biking, all with online booking.
For Great Smoky Mountains National Park dates, plan to purchase a parking tag at park entrance visitor centers, and arrive early for easier parking.
Rain and cold do not have to kill the date, as you can swap to indoor competition like escape rooms, laser tag, or axe-throwing.
A great active date usually includes one built-in “pause” moment, like a scenic stop, a photo break, or a post-activity snack.
If you’re in a relationship with someone whose idea of a fun date leans more towards a day spent adventuring than a candle-lit dinner, Pigeon Forge has something you’ll both love. From racing go-karts and riding the longest zipline in America to flying down trails on a mountain and hiking the Smokies, you can find lots of adventurous things to do in Pigeon Forge for couples.
Instead of trying to sort through the options yourself, check out our top Pigeon Forge date ideas.
8 Best Active Dates in Pigeon Forge
Our favorite active and outdoor date ideas in Pigeon Forge include the following:
1. Ride the MegaZip at WildSide (For Adventure Seekers)
If the goal is a date you will actually talk about later, start with the MegaZip. It’s fast, it’s scenic, and it turns “first date nerves” into instant shared excitement. Four side-by-side lanes let you race your partner or ride together at your own pace, which makes it fun even if one person is braver than the other.
- Expected time: Plan on about 1 to 2 hours total, including check-in, safety briefing, gearing up, and the ride.
- Cost: Pricing varies by date and time. MegaZip tickets often fall in a roughly $69.99–$79.99 range.
- Reservations: Book ahead online, as popular time slots can sell out.
- When to go: Late morning and early afternoon usually bring the clearest views, and sunset slots can feel extra memorable when available.
- Why it’s a great date: Riding side-by-side builds instant chemistry, and the scenic payoff gives you a built-in “wow” moment to share.
2. Take a Guided UTV Tour at WildSide (For Couples Who Want a Little Mud)
A guided UTV tour is one of the easiest ways to feel like you escaped town without driving deep into the backcountry. WildSide’s tours are guided and timed, so you get the fun parts, such as dirt trails, views, and a little bounce, without the planning stress.
- Expected time: Tours are about 90 minutes, and arriving early is part of the experience. Plan for about 2.5 hours total.
- Cost: Prices vary by vehicle and date.
- Reservations: Booking online (and early!) is the way to go, especially on weekends.
- When to go: Midday rides are warmer in cooler months, and morning rides can feel quieter and less dusty.
- Why it’s a great date: Shared adventure is built in, and the guided format keeps the pace easy for first-timers.
3. Scenic Hike + Picnic in Great Smoky Mountains National Park (For Couples Who Want Views Without a Thrill Ride)
A Smokies hike is the classic active date for a reason, as it gives you plenty of time to actually talk while you take in the beauty of the Smokies. A simple, beginner-friendly option is the Gatlinburg Trail, paired with a picnic along the route or near the trailhead.
- Expected time: A relaxed hike plus a picnic usually takes 2 to 4 hours.
- Cost: Great Smoky Mountains National Park requires a parking tag, and food costs depend on your picnic plan.
- Reservations: No reservations for the trail, but parking can get tight on peak weekends.
- When to go: Start earlier in the day for easier parking and fewer crowds.
- Why it’s a great date: You set the pace together, and the picnic gives you a calm reset before heading back.
- Quick picnic upgrade: Pack one “fun” item that feels like a date, sparkling drinks in cans, chocolate-covered strawberries, or a thermos of hot cocoa in colder months.
4. Race Each Other on Go-Karts at LazerPort Fun Center (For Competitive Couples)
Go-karts are a perfect active date when you want playful competition without a big time commitment. LazerPort Fun Center in Pigeon Forge offers both single and double karts, so you can race head-to-head or ride together.
- Expected time: 60 to 90 minutes works well, longer if you add more activities.
- Cost: Single go-kart rides are listed at $11.99, and double rides at $13.99, and an unlimited attractions wristband is also available.
- Reservations: Usually walk-in friendly, call ahead for groups or peak holiday weekends.
- When to go: Evening sessions feel extra fun when you want a lights-on date vibe.
- Why it’s a great date: It keeps things light, and the shared trash talk can be fun for competitive couples!
5. Explore the Smokies on a Mountain Bike at WildSide (For Active Couples Who Want a Real Workout)
Mountain biking is one of the most “together” active dates. While you ride, you pace each other, you high-five the wins, and you end the ride feeling like you earned your post-date meal. WildSide makes the logistics simple with trail passes, rentals, and an optional shuttle, which can turn the date into more riding and less climbing.
- Expected time: Plan for 2 to 4 hours, more if you want a full day on the trails.
- Cost: A 1-day pedal pass is listed at $19.99, and a pedal + shuttle pass is listed at $39.99. Rentals are listed, including adult full-suspension rentals at $49.99 and kid rentals at $39.99.
- Reservations: Booking passes and rentals online is smart, especially on weekends.
- When to go: Cooler mornings can feel best in summer, and dry days make for easier riding.
- Why it’s a great date: It feels adventurous without being intimidating, and the shuttle option lets you focus on the fun parts of the ride.
6. Walk the Riverwalk Greenway (For Low-Key Movement and Easy Conversation)
If you want something active but mellow, the Riverwalk Greenway checks every box. It follows the West Prong of the Little Pigeon River and links up major Pigeon Forge spots, so you can make the date as short or as long as you want.
- Expected time: 45 minutes to 2 hours, depending on your route and stops.
- Cost: Free.
- Reservations: None.
- When to go: Early morning feels quieter, late afternoon is great for golden-hour photos.
- Why it’s a great date: It keeps the vibe easy and gives you plenty of natural conversation openings.
7. Whitewater Raft the Upper Pigeon River with Smoky Mountain Outdoors (For Couples Who Love Adrenaline and Teamwork)
Rafting is one of the best “team” dates in the Smokies. You and your partner get a shared mission, paddle together, and laugh through the splashy parts. Smoky Mountain Outdoors runs trips on the Upper Pigeon, which is known for bigger rapids.
- Expected time: Plan for about 3 hours total, including check-in, gearing up, and time on the river.
- Cost: Pricing varies by date and water schedule.
- Reservations: Book ahead, especially on weekends and peak summer days.
- When to go: Summer is the prime season, and some days depend on scheduled water releases.
- Why it’s a great date: You stay engaged the whole time, and the shared “we did that” feeling is hard to beat.
8. Axe Throwing + Pizza at Country Roads Axe Co. (For a Date That Feels Different)
Axe throwing is active without being exhausting, and it works for couples who want something indoors that still feels like an event. Country Roads Axe Co. pairs axe throwing with West by God CoalFired Pizza, so you can turn the date into one clean plan.
- Expected time: 60 to 90 minutes is plenty for most couples.
- Cost: A 60-minute throwing session is listed at $25 per adult and $20 per child, and a 30-minute session is also listed.
- Reservations: Booking ahead is recommended since the space is limited.
- When to go: Weeknights can feel less crowded, and it is a great “after dinner” option.
- Why it’s a great date: It is competitive in a fun way, and the food finish makes the date feel complete.
3 Active Date Ideas for When It Rains in Pigeon Forge
While you might have to make an adjustment to your plan, rain doesn’t mean you have to cancel your date. Some of the top rainy-day date ideas in Pigeon Forge include:
- Get Muddy on a UTV at WildSide: A little rain can make a UTV tour feel even wilder. If the forecast calls for drizzle or moderate rain, lean into it by seeing how much mud you can kick up. Just make sure to wear a light rain jacket, quick-dry layers, and shoes you don’t mind getting damp! Always check WildSide’s weather updates since extreme weather can still pause operations.
- Do an Escape Room at The Escape Game at The Island: Escape rooms stay active even when the weather is a mess, and the best part is teamwork. The Escape Game’s experiences are designed for small groups, which makes it a solid couples date. Pricing is listed per person, and most games run about an hour.
- Duckpin Bowling at Downtown Flavortown: Duckpin bowling keeps you moving, laughing, and competing, without needing perfect form. Reserve a lane online to see current pricing and lock in a time, especially for evenings.
3 Active Date Ideas for When It’s Cold in Pigeon Forge
During the winter, the fun doesn’t have to stop. To give you some ideas on what to do, check out the following cold-weather Pigeon Forge date ideas:
- Mountain Bike at WildSide When the Trails Freeze: Sub-freezing days can ride surprisingly well because the ground firms up and stays grippy. Dress in layers, wear full-finger gloves, and don’t worry about it being a little cold when you start, since you’ll warm up once you ride. Book a pedal + shuttle pass if you want more downhill laps with less climbing.
- Laser Tag at LazerPort Fun Center: Laser tag turns into an instant couples rivalry, and it is active enough to count as a workout if you actually play to win. LazerPort Fun Center also makes it easy to stack the laser tag with other activities like go-karts or arcade time if you want a longer date.
- Couples Yoga at Appalachian Roots: Yoga & Wellness: A one-hour yoga class at Appalachian Roots: Yoga & Wellness is an easy way to warm up, loosen up, and reset your mood when it’s freezing outside. It also sets up a great post-class dinner date because you’ll feel relaxed instead of wiped.
Visit WildSide to Make Your Next Date Unforgettable
If you’re dating a thrill-seeker, WildSide is an ideal location for a date. With MegaZip, over 20 mountain biking trails, and 1.5-hour UTV tours on private off-road trails, WildSide makes it easy to find an adventure (or adventures!) your date won’t forget anytime soon.
Learn more about our adventure park today. If you have any questions, please contact us.