Investigation Underway at Dolly Parton’s Dollywood Following Employee Injury Incident
Dollywood, one of the most beloved regional theme parks in the U.S., is under scrutiny following a serious workplace accident that left an employee with severe injuries earlier this year. Known for its breathtaking Smoky Mountain surroundings and its connection to country music icon Dolly Parton, Dollywood has long enjoyed a reputation for providing family-friendly entertainment and southern hospitality.
Since its opening in 1986, Dollywood has become a staple of Tennessee tourism, particularly in Pigeon Forge, drawing millions with its mix of thrilling rides, live performances, and southern charm. With over 50 rides, shows, and attractions — including award-winning coasters like Lightning Rod and Big Bear Mountain — the park competes head-to-head with larger national theme park chains. It’s an immersive experience that combines craftsman villages, live music, and regional foods, which has helped the park remain unique in the crowded theme park industry. In fact, Dollywood has big plans for the future, with an ambitious new attraction slated for a 2026 opening — the five-story indoor adventure Hidden Hollow Aviation.
However, despite its success, the park has faced operational mishaps, one of the most serious of which occurred earlier this year.
TOSHA Investigation Uncovers Safety Violations
In March 2024, a Dollywood employee was seriously injured while performing maintenance on the Smoky Mountain River Rampage, a popular water attraction. According to the Tennessee Occupational Safety and Health Administration (TOSHA) report, the employee’s jacket became caught in a rotating coupling, pulling his left arm into the machinery. The injury was severe enough to require emergency airlifting for medical treatment.
Following the incident, TOSHA launched an investigation into the park’s safety protocols. The agency issued two serious citations: one for unguarded pulleys on the ride’s motor-driven boat lift, and another for shaft couplings that were not designed to prevent entanglement from bolts, nuts, setscrews, or rotating surfaces. These components, located just one foot away from where staff regularly performed maintenance, created a heightened risk of injury. Dollywood was fined $6,400 for the violations — $3,200 for each — and was ordered to address the safety concerns by June 30, 2024. A spokesperson for Dollywood confirmed that “the incident has been settled.”
The Smoky Mountain River Rampage is a popular whitewater rapids ride featuring six-person rafts, known for its soaking splashes and unpredictable turns. Although it has been a fixture at the park for years, this latest incident raises concerns about safety protocols behind the scenes.
A Pattern of Operational Issues
This accident isn’t Dollywood’s first safety-related issue. The park has seen several incidents in recent years that have caused concern among both employees and guests. In July 2020, a craftsman was injured in the Mountain Blown Glass Shop, and just one day prior, a decorative chain fell near the Mystery Mine attraction, injuring three guests — two of whom were hospitalized. More recently, in July 2024, the park faced extreme weather disruptions when a flash flood submerged several cars, forcing guests to wade through water. The year before, a water main break temporarily closed the park.
While not all of these incidents can be attributed to operational faults, they reflect a series of unexpected challenges Dollywood has faced in maintaining its safety standards. Guests continue to love the park, but with new attractions like Hidden Hollow Aviation on the horizon, Dollywood faces the dual challenge of keeping its reputation intact while prioritizing safety and staff well-being.
As the park grows, it must also ensure that its safety measures evolve to match the scale of its success. For fans, Dollywood’s charm and commitment to family fun remain at the heart of the experience. However, the recent incidents underscore the importance of maintaining a sharp focus on safety as the park moves forward into an exciting but challenging future.