The Ultimate Guide to the Cal Ripken Experience Pigeon Forge, TN

Youth baseball tournaments are more than just games—they’re memories in the making. One of the best places to create those memories is at the Cal Ripken Experience in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. Nestled in the heart of the Smoky Mountains, this premier youth baseball complex offers a blend of top-notch facilities, incredible views, and a family-friendly atmosphere that makes every visit a memorable one.

Whether you’re planning a trip to watch your child play or just exploring the area, this guide will give you everything you need for the Cal Ripken Experience Pigeon Forge. From tournament info to packing lists, we’ll cover all the details.

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The entrance to the Cal Ripken Experience Pigeon Forge, TN.

What Is the Cal Ripken Experience Pigeon Forge?

The Cal Ripken Experience Pigeon Forge is a baseball tournament facility located in Pigeon Forge, TN. The state of the art complex has many turf fields, batting cages, bull pens, and concession stands, baseball and merchandise store, and even playgrounds for the baseball siblings! They have week long summer tournaments, weekend tournaments during the fall, and Spring Training Camps for youth baseball players. The park offers teams and families an amazing tournament experience. 

The Cal Ripken Experience in Pigeon Forge is one of many Cal Ripken Experience Parks in the country. The other locations include:

  • Aberdeen, Maryland
  • Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
  • Elizabethtown, Kentucky
  • Cooperstown, New York
  • Walt Disney World Resort
  • Cedar Point, Ohio

Cal Ripken Experience parks pride themselves on providing “Big League Amenities” for young players. There are exceptional turf fields, concession stands, warm up and practice areas, and VIP seating for families. 

Where Is the Cal Ripken Experience Pigeon Forge?

The Cal Ripken Experience is located in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee—a bustling tourist town known for its proximity to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Dollywood Theme park,  and its many family-friendly attractions. You’ll know you’re close when you see the baseball water tower!

The water tower outside the Cal Ripken Experience Pigeon Forge, TN.

The exact address of the complex is: 405 Jake Thomas Rd, Pigeon Forge, TN 37863.

The facility sits just minutes away from the Parkway, which is the main road through Pigeon Forge, making it easily accessible from most hotels and attractions in the area. Surrounded by beautiful mountain views, the Cal Ripken Experience Pigeon Forge provides the perfect backdrop for an unforgettable baseball experience.

How to Get There

  • By Car: If you’re driving, Pigeon Forge is conveniently located near several major highways. From Interstate 40, you’ll take exit 407, which leads you directly into the heart of Pigeon Forge.
  • By Air: The closest airport is McGhee Tyson Airport in Knoxville, about a 45-minute drive from Pigeon Forge.

Public transportation options are limited in the area, so driving or renting a car is the best way to get around.

The ballpark outpost with a large concession stand, park store, and bathrooms.

Tournament Prep Tips

Heading to a Cal Ripken Experience tournament? Here are some tournament prep tips to ensure you’re prepared for the big event.

1. Register Early

Cal Ripken Experience Tournaments are becoming popular and fill quickly. If there is a week long or weekend event your team wants to play in, it is important to register early here.  

2. Important Player Information

To participate in a Cal Ripken experience tournament, each player must have documented waiver for tournament participation and a National Sports ID. Teams must also turn in a roster with completed player information prior to the tournament. Coaches or team administrations should encourage families to complete needed player information and documents as soon as they register!

3. Book Lodging 

Pigeon Forge and the surrounding areas are extremely popular tourist areas in the Southeast. Book lodging early to ensure the type of lodging and location that are best for your team. The Cal Ripken Experience offers lodging through Away Team Travel. This is a lodging partner that Coaches, Team Administrators, or Team Parents can use to book blocks of rooms for the team events.

There are many other lodging options in the area – please see below in this article for more lodging information and recommendations. 

4. Download the Tourney Machine App

The Tourney Machine App will be your guide for your tournament. The App is available for Iphone or Android. It is the best place to find schedules, updates, brackets, and important tournament information. 

5. Review the Rules

It is important for your staff and player to familiarize themselves with the rules of the tournament as some may be different than a team’s regular league play rules.

Before the Trip

Preparation can make or break any travel sports weekend. Here are some important things to do before the trip:

1. Research the Area

Spend some time researching places your family or team would enjoy staying, eating, and exploring in Pigeon Forge. This ensures you’ll have a game plan for downtime between tournaments. During our trip we enjoyed these attractions and restaurants that were within 3 miles of the park. See below for some of our favorite local attractions!

2. Check the Weather

Keep an eye on the Pigeon Forge weather leading up to your trip. Be prepared with cold weather, hot weather, or rain gear.

3. Prepare Your Vehicle

If you’re driving to Pigeon Forge, it’s a good idea to ensure your vehicle is in top shape before hitting the road. Check tires, fluids, and battery life to avoid unexpected breakdowns.

4. Confirm Lodging, attraction bookings, and tournament information

Baseball Family Packing List for the Cal Ripken Experience Pigeon Forge, TN

Packing for a baseball tournament trip requires more than just the usual vacation gear. Here’s a helpful baseball family packing list to make sure you don’t forget anything:

For the Player:

  • Uniforms: Don’t forget alternate jerseys, pants, socks, belts, and protective equipment.
  • Cleats and Turf Shoes: Regular baseball cleats or baseball turf shoes (metal cleats are not permitted on Cal Ripken Experience Fields).
  • Baseball Bag with Gear: The essentials: glove, bat, water bottle, batting glove, sliding mitt (head-first sliding is permitted), batting helmet, personal protective equipment, and catcher’s gear if applicable. 
  • Cooler with Snacks: Concessions are available, but sometimes it nice to have your most tried and true sports snacks on hand. You should note that sunflower seeds and gum are not allowed in the dugouts or on the fields.

For the Family:

  • A Fully Stocked Sports Mom Bag: From first aid essentials to rain gear to entertainment for the siblings – this bag has all of my favorite game day essentials
  • Comfortable Clothing: Layers are essential since mornings can be cool and afternoons can be hot! 
  • Team Spirit Wear: Like this fun Mom Letterman Jacket
  • Sunscreen and Hats: Long hours in the sun mean protection is a must.
  • Portable Chairs: As mentioned earlier, seating can fill up quickly at the complex. Tents are also permitted 
  • Rain Gear: A light rain jacket or poncho just in case of unexpected showers.
  • Chargers for Devices: From phones to tablets, make sure you have extra chargers to keep all your devices powered.
Baseball fields at the  Cal Ripken Experience Pigeon Forge, TN.

Where to Stay

Pigeon Forge has a wide variety of accommodation options, from hotels to cabins, to suit the needs of every family. If your team or family choose not to book with the Cal Ripken Experience Lodging Partner,  TeamAway, here are some top recommendations on where to stay:

1. On the Parkway

Staying on the Parkway gives you easy access to restaurants, shops, and the Cal Ripken Experience. Popular options include:

2. Cabins in the Smoky Mountains

If you prefer a more relaxed and scenic atmosphere, consider staying in one of the many cabins available in the Smoky Mountains. These offer a peaceful retreat after a day at the fields and often come with amenities like hot tubs, game rooms, and spectacular views. Nearby options include:

3. Dollywood Resort Hotels

Dolly Parton has expanded the Dollywood theme park into a collection of parks (and water parks), experiences, and resorts. The resort hotels include the Dollywood DreamMore Resort and Spa (a 2 mile drive) and the newer Dollywood HeartSong Lodge and Resort (a 2.1 mile drive). These are family friendly resort hotels that have offerings to support team sized groups.

Our team stayed at the DreamMore Resort and had a wonderful experience. The hotel was clean, the staff was incredibly friendly and helpful, and it was a great place to stay with kids!

Things to Do Nearby

Beyond the baseball diamonds, Pigeon Forge and its surroundings offer countless activities for families to enjoy. Here are some top things to do nearby:

1. The Island in Pigeon Forge

Just minutes from the Cal Ripken Experience, The Island is a popular entertainment complex with restaurants, shops, and attractions like the Great Smoky Mountain Farris Wheel. When the kid’s have a break from baseball they will love the rides, arcades, escape rooms, and fun house. It’s the perfect place for team bonding off the field.

2. Dollywood

If you have extra time, spend a day at Dollywood, one of the top amusement parks in the country. It features thrilling rides, live shows, and family-friendly attractions.

3. Great Smoky Mountains National Park

For those who love the outdoors, the Great Smoky Mountains National Park offers hiking, scenic drives, and wildlife viewing. Cades Cove and Clingmans Dome are two of the most popular destinations within the park.

4. Outdoor Gravity Park

Looking for something different? Head to Outdoor Gravity Park, where you can experience zorbing—a fun and unique activity that involves rolling down a hill in a giant inflatable ball!

5. Anakeesta Mountaintop Adventure Park

For an outdoor adventure experience, visit the Anakeesta Mountaintop Adventure Park is the perfect place. It has a zipline adventure, treetop skywalk, mountain coaster, and gem mining.

Inside the store at the  Cal Ripken Experience Pigeon Forge, TN.

FAQ

Q: What age groups can participate in tournaments at the Cal Ripken Experience Pigeon Forge?

A: The Cal Ripken Experience hosts tournaments for players in various age groups, typically ranging from 8U to 14U.

Q: Is there an admission fee for spectators?

A: Admission is not currently charged at Cal Ripken Experience parks; however, it’s a good idea to check the tournament’s official website for the most current information.

Q: Can we bring outside food and drinks to the fields?

A: Yes, outside food and coolers are allowed.

Q: Are pets allowed at the Cal Ripken Experience?

A: Unfortunately, pets are not allowed within the complex, except for service animals.

Q: What happens if it rains during the tournament?

A: The complex has a dedicated weather team that monitors conditions throughout the tournament. Games may be delayed or rescheduled depending on the severity of the weather. Updates are typically posted online or through the tournament’s app. Artificial turf baseball fields permit play when rainouts may otherwise be typical.

Q: Are there warm up facilities at the Cal Ripken Experience?

A: Yes, there are batting changes and bull pen areas for each team. 

Q: Can you bring your own shade tents and seating?

A:Yes. While there are covered bleachers at each field for home and away teams, the bleachers are relatively small and the park does permit shade tents and camp style or bleachers seats.

Q: Are the games available for live streaming at the Cal Ripken Experience?

A: Yes, the parks work with HICAST sports network for streaming of tournament games.

Q: What other services/ amenities are offered?

A:The Cal Ripken Experience parks want to offer the best youth baseball experience possible. Photography is offered through Glossy Finish. There is an also on official signage partner that creates custom banners for team. At the park’s outpost there is a concessions stand with an extensive menu and baseball shop with gear and Ripken Experience memorabilia. The concessions stands only accepted payment with credit/ debit cards during our tournament.

Our Experience at the Cal Ripken Experience Pigeon Forge, TN


I can’t imagine a better setting for a travel baseball tournament than the Cal Ripken Experience Pigeon Forge! The facility itself is incredibly clean and has lots of amenities that make it desirable for players and spectators. The playgrounds and play spaces for younger siblings were a big hit too. We also loved having the store for last minute baseball essential and a fun keepsake from the trip. The tournament itself was very well run. You get all of this with the beautiful backdrop of the Smoky Mountains and the attractions of Pigeon Forge, Tennessee!

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