Parrott Mountain, Sevierville / Pigeon Forge, TN
A special place many may miss is next to one of the most visited amusement parks in the world, Dollywood. Don't miss it!
Sevier County, TN is well known for many things. The Gateway to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Dolly Parton, Dollywood, amusement galore, restaurants for years, and moonshine at every corner are among some of the most known things about our area. But hidden high up on a mountain top, just past the Dollywood entrance, is a piece of paradise many do not even realize exists, Parrot Mountain.
From the name, would you think you will find parrots there? Well, yes, of course, you will…and then some! Parrots of so many varieties are all around you as you stroll through the stunning gardens. But hold up, wait a minute, they have way more than just parrots. There are so many different breeds, most of which are exotic birds. That being said, if you are fearful of birds, you may want to sit this one out. Otherwise, this is an amazing experience to be able to hear, see, touch, hold, feed, and get those important selfies with so many different birds.
My first visit was with my homeschool group. I organized our first-ever field trip to Parrot Mountain. This would have been in 2011 with my daughter, Olivia, and about 70 other people. Olivia was and is as you will soon see, obsessed with birds. As a homeschool mom, birds and wildlife would be the main focus of homeschooling. I had heard great things about this place and thought she would love it and it would be a fun trip for our group. It was! It was our best-attended field trip each year and we would continue our yearly trip until Olivia graduated in 2019.
That first field trip lasted about 2 1/2 hours, but Olivia and I stayed in the bird garden for probably an hour or so more. It was August. Do you know East Tennessee’s weather in August? It is the kind of hot you have to peel your undies off just to go pee! We were drenched in sweat, but she was enjoying the birds so much she just did not want to leave. There is way more to the story about my girl and birds. She has started her own Substack page so I hope you will go over to Olivia and subscribe to her as well. She has rehabbed many wild birds and now finds herself caring for hundreds of birds throughout the year at age 20.
You see that little girl that loved to go visit and never wanted to leave now works at Parrot Mountain and is about to complete her 2nd year with them. Most days you will find her in the nursery, which I will share about soon. My bird girl gets to work with sometimes over a hundred birds each and every day. As a little girl, she dreamed of working there as we would sit in the Bird Garden watching employees help all our kids on our field trips. I would almost have to pull her out of the garden to get her to leave. Now she is becoming quite the expert on exotic birds, and she is there to talk with you if you are considering buying one.
The name Parrot “Mountain” is no joke y’all. It really is on top of a mountain. As you begin your journey you will go like you are headed into the Dollywood parking lot, but you will follow the signs for McCarter Hollow Rd. There are signs marking the way as you get on past Dollywood that led you to the mountain. Warning, it is a steep drive up the mountain. Now, I am used to all the mountain curvy roads around here, but some people are not. Over the years of doing field trips there, I have had parents be too scared to drive up and decide not to come. One time a mom even stopped her car just a short distance right in the middle of the road with a car behind her. That car had to stop as well but got out to check on her. She was terrified so the man drove her car up to the top for her. Then an employee drove her back down. Now that is an extreme case, but I want you to know it is not flat, nor straight. For most, it is not a big deal, and it is just a short distance. DO NOT let that stop you from going, there is a solution to all problems and they have it figured out for you. It ain’t their first rodeo. You would not be the first, nor the last not wanting to drive it. If you have a fear of driving up hills yourself, you can call them ahead and arrange for a ride up by parking in their lower parking lot.
Before taking you on a journey through the gardens, I must give you one more warning. It is NOT on flat ground at all. It is very hilly and can be steep walking in places. The walkways are paved, nicely done, and wide, but there are spots it is very steep. The entrance has lots of steps or you can enter by using the ramp. It is handicap accessible everywhere, but if you have trouble walking it could be a real challenge for you. If you are pushing a wheelchair there are a couple of spots you will want to hold on and be careful. Please do not let this keep you from going either. I said they have solutions to all problems and this is no different. They offer tours on a golf cart. If mobility issues are something you struggle with, then I would absolutely go for the golf cart tour! The last I checked it is $60 for an employee to drive you and 3 other people. This is in addition to your admission fee. But you do get a knowledgeable employee that drives you to share facts and information about the gardens and birds. This gives you easy access to areas you may want to get off to experience. Yes, it can be difficult walking if you have any mobility issues, but they have made every effort to make it safe with well-maintained paved walkways and railing in steep areas to hold as you go up or down the hills with many areas to sit and rest.
When you and your car have made it to the top of the mountain and enter the parking lot, you will see and hear birds immediately (before even getting out of your car). If you are lucky, you might even see the neighborhood peacock, Fred, hanging out in the lot. From here you can go up the steps or use the ramp to buy your ticket and begin your tour.
Tickets are well worth the price in my opinion. It is educational, relaxing, fun, and a truly awesome experience. They do offer a local, senior, military, and group discount. You can click here for current pricing and hours. When you purchase your ticket, you have the option of purchasing a ticket for nectar to feed at the Lory area. I highly recommend this. Don’t skimp here, add a few extra bucks to make the experience the best it can be! I will share more in a bit. I think it is $3 for one cup of nectar. Get at least one. If you are not scared of birds being on you, you will regret skipping this option. However, if you are the least bit scared of birds, I would pass this option up and not even enter the Lory area. You will understand why in a bit. While at the ticket booth you can also purchase a souvenir photo, which is really cool. They get your group together in the Bird Garden and put all these amazing birds on you. They take the photo, and you pick it up at the gift shop as you leave. I do recommend this at least for one of your visits. You can take pictures anywhere you would like during our tour. Take all the selfies you want along the way, holding birds, among the beautiful landscaping, and as you feed. But if you have a group the souvenir photo is a very cool keepsake.
As you stroll around the gardens look for a couple of my favorite things to visit, the Toucans (a relatively new exhibit area) and the Secret Garden. They have at least two different breeds of Toucans. In the Secret Garden, many different types of birds are flying or hanging out. This is an enclosed area so be sure to walk through and see what you can find.
Do you remember I mentioned the nectar and going to the Lory area? It is enclosed and a truly fun special place. You can enter without nectar, but the fun is having the nectar for feeding them. You get a small cup with liquid nectar to enter the area. Be sure to hold on tight. Those birds know what ya got and they ain’t shy about coming to get it! It can happen immediately…like right when you walk through the door, they will swoop over to visit you. We have been in when only a few come to you, probably more so later in the day after people have fed them all day long. But we have also been in when you could have 10 or more on you at one time. That has always been earlier in the day. I have taken many homeschool groups with kids of all ages and parents. I have seen more than a handful of people get completely freaked out when those birds start landing on them. If you are not sure how your child may react, you should absolutely go in with them. One, you don’t want your child to be caught off guard and not have you nearby. But also, for the bird’s safety. We always have a great time there with all of our friends. It is a wonderful picture and video opportunity so be sure to have that camera/phone ready before you ever even enter. If you skimped and did not get a ticket when you enter the gardens, no worries, the employee in this area can help you out. It is not too late, and you can purchase more if you would like.
As you stroll around the gardens you will find seats and benches all around. This can sure help make it enjoyable even if you have trouble walking or just need to go at a slower pace. There is an area with picnic tables. You will find stone walls throughout if you need to sit a spell. And they have very unique benches to take little breaks.
The landscaping is breathtaking all year. Fall is decorated beautifully and is my favorite time to go. The fall colors and decorations add to the garden experience, but it is also cooler! You will find Christian statues, scriptures, and a prayer garden along your stroll. There is a little waterfall area that is stunning and worth a little rest. The folks that work on their landscaping do an incredible job. I have been up many times to go with Olivia to pick up her check or just for a visit and they work so very hard all year, even coming up the drive you will find gorgeous plants and decorations. Chances are you may even see them hard at work somewhere along your journey.
The area I spend the most time in on our visits is the Bird Garden. This is an open-air area where birds are on their perches enjoying the outdoors. The bird’s flight feathers are clipped so they will not fly away (no it does not hurt them). Make sure you have some quarters with you. Here you can hold all sorts of birds and for $.25 you can get some seed out of a machine to feed. Again, they seem to eat better earlier in the day. The later the day gets the more the birds have been eating. But holding them and hanging out is great fun. Please sanitize your hands before handling the birds. Also…PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE read the signs in the garden on the perches. If it says do no touch, guess what…they really mean it…do not touch! There is a reason for this. All birds can bite you, but some are more aggressive than others. Employees there at Parrot Mountain know which ones are more likely to bite you and they have those birds clearly marked. Please be respectful of the birds and the facility by obeying the signage. There are just a few of these birds in the garden. Olivia tells me so many stories about people who choose to totally ignore the signs and then are mad because a bird bites them hard. One of those…. dah, here’s your sign moments! There are many other birds for you to interact with. Obeying those signs will make you, the birds, and the employees much happier.
I personally have a favorite and her name is Charlie. Every time I go, we hang out. Now my bird-loving daughter does not like Charlie, but I adore her. She has never been mean to me, but Olivia says she is often sassy and mean. You will probably spend a lot of your time here and you will absolutely want your camera/phone out the entire time you are here. This is the best spot for selfies, and it can be very funny getting the birds on video. Sometimes you don’t know what they will say…sort of like kids. Here is a link to a video of the last time Charlie and I got to hang out.
Take your time in the Bird Garden. You will find seats available in a covered shady area. So don’t rush. I sometimes take Charlie over, take a load off and sit a spell just hanging out. It is also a fun place to watch others interact with the birds. And finally, this is where you would get your picture taken if you purchased the souvenir photo. An employee will load your group up with about 10-13 birds and take your picture.
As you end your tour, one of the last places you will pass is the nursery. Be sure to go in. Don’t skip it! First of all, the porch is a great spot to rest after walking the gardens and coming down the hill. These rocking chairs are very relaxing and in the shade. Doesn’t this just call you to rest a bit?!?! It sure looks like a place in the tropics somewhere and not on a mountaintop in East Tennessee.
The other reason not to skip…it is one more chance to hold birds, but this time they are young birds. This is usually where my daughter will be found working. You may also purchase birds here. They have many varieties available, and they will be glad to help find a match for you. Some birds can be a few hundred dollars, while others can be $15,000 or more depending on the breed and how rare they are. Parrot Mountain has a breeding program onsite and purchases birds from reputable breeders.
Once you leave the nursery you will pass the restrooms and another nice area to sit and relax. Your next stop will be the gift shop and cafe. You will find all sorts of things in the gift shop that are related to birds…. hats, mugs, pictures, and more. This is also where you would pick up your souvenir picture if you purchased one and had it made. And believe it or not, the food at the cafe is pretty good. You should certainly pick up something to eat whether a snack or a meal and step out the door to enjoy your food on their covered deck eating area. The view is fabulous and even in the summertime, it is a nice shady place to take it all in. You can decide here if you are done, do you want to do it all again, or is there one area you would like to go back to before your journey ends? We usually end up back in the Bird Garden one more time before leaving. It is just steps away and a good way to end your day at the gardens!
Well, we have come to the end of our garden experience. Now you have to drive back down the hill. Good luck! LOL, just kidding, it really is not that bad guys. I just don’t want you to be shocked and I don’t want to hear I didn’t warn ya. Parrot Mountain, for me, is one of the best attractions in our area with the best value. Make sure on your next trip to Sevier County you make time to visit. If you happen to see my Olivia somewhere along the trip, please let her know you subscribe to my Substack and remember to do the same for her at the link above.