Dollywood has been fined over an incident at the beloved theme park earlier this year.
Inspired by the one and only Dolly Parton, Dollywood has enchanted Pigeon Forge parkgoers of all ages for decades. With an array of attractions inspired by the spirit of the nearby Great Smoky Mountains, the park is home to an impressive array of thrill rides, including the likes of Wild Eagle, Tennessee Tornado, Big Bear Mountain, and Lightning Rod.
The park is also currently in the process of constructing a major new attraction, said to be its biggest and most expensive to date. The five-story indoor attraction reportedly celebrates the magic of nighttime in the Smokies – a personal passion of Dolly Parton herself – and will open under the name Hidden Hollow Aviation at some point in 2026.
However, the park isn’t totally without its faults. Just like any other theme park, Dollywood has had to contend with unexpected issues in the past, such as a water main break that shuttered the destination last summer and a flash flood that left guests wading through waist-deep water and saw several cars submerged in July 2024.
Earlier this year, another incident occurred at the park that saw one employee airlifted to the hospital.
Incident at Dollywood
As per a report by the Tennessee Occupational Safety and Health Administration (TOSHA), an employee was adjusting a belt on Smoky Mountain River Rampage in March when his jacket got caught in a coupling and entangled his left arm. His injuries were significant enough to warrant helicopter transportation for medical treatment.
TOSHA subsequently launched an investigation. It identified two serious violations in the motor-driven boat lift of Smoky Mountain River Rampage. The first was that the pulleys on the lift were not properly guarded, while the second addressed the fact that the shaft couplings were not built to prevent hazards from bolts, nuts, setscrews, or revolving surfaces. Dollywood employees were reportedly required to perform tasks within a foot of the lifts, putting them at risk of injury.
Smoky Mountain River Rampage is the park’s river rapids attraction. Built by Intamin, it sends rafts of six guests at a time barreling along a white water rafting adventure. “No two excursions are the same, but each one promises a good soaking for all who dare to brave the rapids,” the park promises on its website.
Dollywood has since been fined $6,400 – $3,200 for each violation. The park was required to correct the violations by June 30, with a spokesperson informing 6 News that “the incident has been settled.”
Other Incidents at Dollywood
This isn’t the first incident to strike Dollywood.
Back in July 2020, a craftsman was injured while working on a project inside the amusement park’s Mountain Blown Glass Shop. This was the second incident in a matter of days, with a themed decoration falling on three guests just one day earlier.
That same month, three guests were injured in Wilderness Pass when a chain decoration fell on them near the Mystery Mine attraction. Two guests were taken to the hospital while a third declined transportation for medical treatment.
Have you visited Dollywood lately?
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