As the town of Pigeon Forge seemed to be on the verge of a thunderstorm, we wanted to stop at a nearby shop to pick up snacks for the evening,  Noticing a large store in a shopping plaza, we parked the car and entered the Three Bears General Store.

The store was opened in 1979 as a gathering place for families and friends offering such merchandise as clothes, food, toys and souvenirs. Yet, the main attraction that brings visitors to The Three Bears General Store is the Bear Habitat.

Measuring approximately 5.000 square feet, the enclosure houses bears that were rescued from a nearby hunting farm for over 25 bears.

Each bear enjoys its own enclosure as well as a central area containing a waterfall and pond.  During the warmer days, a misting system cools the bears down at designated times during the day.

A small fee of $3 is collected to assist in the maintenance of the bear refuge. Visitors can feed the bears by purchasing a cup of bear food for a small fee.   The best times to visit the general store for bear feedings are during their four feeding times at 10AM, noon, 3PM and 7PM.

Whether you are searching for souvenirs or want to experience a much safer bear encounter, Three Bears General Store is the perfect place to spend a couple of hours while visiting Pigeon Forge.

Have you visited Three Bears General Store to see the bears?  I would love to hear about your experience if you would kindly leave a message in the comments section below.  Many thanks for reading about my time at Three Bears General Store and wishing you many Happy Travels.

What to See and What to Do:

The Three Bears General Store
2861 Parkway
Pigeon Forge, TN  37963
Telephone:  865 453 4734

Where to Stay: 

We stayed in a rental through VRBO called the Firefly Chalet.

Where to Eat:

Bennett’s Bar-B-Que
2910 Parkway
Pigeon Forge, TN
Telephone:  865 429 2200

What to Eat:

• Barbecue