The Spring Rod Run in Pigeon Forge is one of the biggest car shows that takes place in the Smoky Mountains each year…one of the others being the Fall Rod Run. This rod run is one of the largest in the nation, as it draws thousands of visitors and classic hot rods for miles…literally! If you love muscle cars, you’ll need to pack a bib to catch all of your drool. You can find nearly every make, model, and color of every muscle car at this Pigeon Forge car show. Vendors are also set up selling hard-to-find parts and accessories for classic hot rods, as well. The bottom line is that the Spring Rod Run is one of the biggest and best car shows to attend in the entire US!
The Spring Rod Run returns to Pigeon Forge in 2024 and is scheduled to take place April 18-20. Continue to check the official website mentioned below for the latest information, and we will also work to keep this article updated if any changes are made for the Pigeon Forge Rod Run dates.
If you plan to participate and register your vehicle in the Spring Rod Run, you can visit the link below for the official website and entry form for this Pigeon Forge car show. However, if you just want to cruise your car into town and get in the mix without winning prizes and such, you can just ride on in. Cruise the parkway or find parking spots along the street to park your ride so others can ooh and awe over it. You’ll find that many people do just this and even place “for sale” signs in their windshields… after all, there are thousands of potential buyers walking by each day! Here is the official website for the Spring Rod Run: https://www.rodrun-pigeonforge.com/
Sleep? What’s that? Okay, yes, sleep is good, but you’ll find that many people at the Rod Run seem to stay awake all weekend long! You’ll hear burnouts and roaring engines well into the wee hours of the morning…and we guarantee it’s not the local newspaper delivery guy. So if you want to catch some sleep during your visit, there are many hotels and motels along the Parkway near the LeConte Center to choose from.
Another option is to stay off the Parkway in a private cabin and enjoy things like hot tubs, fireplaces, multiple rooms, etc. It’s private and relaxing, and cost-effective, especially when traveling with other people to split the cost for a great cabin rental! We have a guide on some of the best cabin rental companies in Pigeon Forge as well as a list of cabin deals to help you pick the perfect place to stay near Pigeon Forge.
A word of advice about lodging:
There’s not really a right or wrong choice on whether to sleep in a hotel on the Parkway or a cabin a couple of miles away. It just comes down to personal tastes…and actually wanting sleep!
The Pigeon Forge Rod Run was formerly known as the Pigeon Forge Grand Rod Run because it had been held at the Grand Hotel in Pigeon Forge for years. That hotel, however, no longer exists, so the Pigeon Forge Rod Run has a new location at the LeConte Center located next to The Island in Pigeon Forge. This new facility offers a lot more indoor space for vendors, vehicles, and entertainment while also providing ample, free parking for spectators.
The address for the Pigeon Forge LeConte Center is:
2986 Teaster Ln
Pigeon Forge, TN 37863
Here is a map where you can get directions:
If you would like to visit the official show location at the LeConte Center to see the vehicles and vendors, admission is $15 per day with free parking. They also offer a 3-day pass on Thursday for $35. Tickets are sold at the event and cannot be purchased in advance. This is your best opportunity to see the show cars that are typically towed and parked (not cruising the Parkway). Parking will be available at the LeConte Center for free.
However, if you simply want to see the vehicles cruising during the Spring Rod Run in Pigeon Forge, you can sit or walk along the sidewalk on the Parkway to see tons of action. Many people set up lawn chairs along the Parkway and just watch hot rods cruise by all day and night. If you plan on doing that, we highly suggest not leaving your lawn chairs unattended. Yes, you may lose your spot, but you may also lose your chairs if you leave them…it’s been known to happen. If you want to take that chance, then we suggest taking chairs that you don’t care to lose!
Also, if you plan to sit along the Parkway, be aware that you’ll be exposed to the sun…and it burns. So take whatever is necessary to avoid that. Whether it’s sunscreen, a hat, or an umbrella, just be prepared.
Many visitors of the Pigeon Forge Rod Run bring their own food and snacks…especially the repeat visitors, because they know how busy the restaurants can get. If you plan to eat out, either plan to get fast food or try to call ahead to a restaurant to see if their either take reservations or call-ahead seating. Wait times during lunch and dinner at many Pigeon Forge restaurants throughout the weekend average over an hour. Again, just be prepared.
The weekend of the 2024 Pigeon Forge Spring Rod Run (or any Pigeon Forge car show) is not a good time to “be in a hurry.” If you visit Pigeon Forge during a car show weekend, then do not plan to be anywhere at a certain time…unless you’re walking and know how fast you can walk. Seriously. Visitors call it a car show parade. Locals call it gridlock. A person in a motorized wheelchair with the batteries dying will probably beat a car from one end of the Parkway to the other. Okay, that’s a bit of an exaggeration, but just know that the traffic flow…is…well…slow. But the scenery is spectacular, so relax and enjoy it!
You can expect to see a wide variety of muscle cars at the Spring Pigeon Forge Run. If it has an engine and growls like a ticked-off grizzly, it’s probably cruising the strip during the Pigeon Forge Rod Run. Below is a video slideshow that a visitor created so you can get an idea of what types of vehicles roll into town.
The Spring Pigeon Forge Rod Run is one of the largest events to take place in Pigeon Forge, TN all year long. It’s definitely something to witness if you have any interest in muscle cars. Just be sure to plan for travel time, lodging, eating, and weather to make your visit as enjoyable as possible. Also, charge those camera batteries as there are thousands of photo opportunities!
