REI

REI Pigeon Forge-A Treasure Trove for Outdoor Lovers
Written by: The SmokyMountains.com Local Experts Team
Local Expert's Rating:
4 / 5
The Bottom Line:

REI Pigeon Forge is the outdoor enthusiasts' treasure trove. The 21,500 square-foot store offers everything you’ll need to enjoy the Smokies no matter the season or weather. They also offer a rental program which is perfect for those wanting to try a sport without investing a lot of money. Renting is an excellent option for travelers who couldn’t pack those bulky items for their vacation to Pigeon Forge. 

- The SmokyMountains.com Local Expert Team

Pigeon Forge is known worldwide for being a top-notch vacation destination packed with adventure parks, restaurants, and boutiques. Another feature is the Great Smoky Mountain National Park, America’s most visited park. Here, visitors may discover mountain streams teeming with trout, cascading waterfalls, countless trails to explore, and many more outdoor activities.

In the spring of 2020, REI opened a store in Pigeon Forge to cater to outdoor enthusiasts, young and old. The store is in the Tower Shops at the Mountain Mile complex, and the store is massive! Within the 21,500 square-foot facilities, shoppers will find everything necessary for any outdoor adventure. This includes camping, climbing, hiking, biking, skiing, and snowboarding.

If you’re unfamiliar with REI, it’s a co-op where customers may join for a nominal one-time fee, and in return, get special deals and perks throughout the year. Being a member has its merits which we discuss in our Insider Tip section. Non-members may shop REI but won’t take advantage of members-only sales and incentives.

REI stands head and shoulders above other big house sporting goods because of their sales team. Each is knowledgeable in their field and always friendly, willing to assist anyone, no matter the experience level.

REI is the perfect store for the intrepid explorer and a go-to for beginners, too. Perhaps you want to try camping, but you’re leery of taking the first step, or the cost of gear to begin seems steep. If that sounds like you, then check out their rental program. They may rent equipment for backcountry snow trips, camping, and hiking, downhill skiing, cross-country skiing, climbing, biking, canoeing, and kayaking.

REI is all about giving back to the community. Upon the opening of REI Pigeon Forge, the company invested $10,000 in local nonprofits that promote national park conservancy and environment education. Shoppers could also contribute by rounding up their purchases to the nearest dollar.

REI Pigeon Forge is your stepping stone to explore the Smokies! REI’s experienced sales team is eager to help share their expertise and offer sage tips. And the store’s inventory is unparalleled by other sporting goods stores making REI your one-stop shop for exploring the great outdoors.

Insider Tip:
Signing up to become an REI member has its rewards. For example, if you plan on renting gear while in Pigeon Forge, REI Members get better deals across the board than non-members. If you plan to do a lot of shopping or gear rental, the one-time membership fee is worth considering.