If you’ve ever wondered whether the Smoky Mountains are a smart place to invest in a short-term rental, the numbers might just make the case for you.
Pigeon Forge posted annual gross revenue of more than $2 billion for the fifth consecutive year in 2025, with city businesses totaling $2,288,406,200, a 1% increase over 2024.
The city tracks revenue across three categories: amusements, lodging, and restaurants.
Amusements were up 4%, restaurants climbed 4%, and lodging held steady at nearly $478 million for the year.
For STR investors, stable and lodging revenue is exactly what you hope for!
With daily visitation exceeding 100,000 during peak seasons, Pigeon Forge is a tourism destination unlike almost anywhere else in the country.
And it’s not just Pigeon Forge, according to the National Park Service, 12.2 million visitors to Great Smoky Mountains National Park in 2024 spent more than $2 billion in surrounding communities, with a cumulative economic benefit of more than $2.8 billion.
Results like these reinforce what we’ve always believed: the Smoky Mountains aren’t just a beautiful place to own property, they’re a proven destination that keeps delivering for investors year after year.
If you’re curious about what your investment could look like here, we’d love to be your first call.