New Attraction in Sevierville TN: Dig’n Zone Theme Park
Have you ever imagined yourself working on a big job site with the access and knowledge to man construction equipment? Perhaps your young child is obsessed with playing with toy construction equipment? Well, a chance to do all of that in real life has arrived in Sevierville! Dig’n Zone Theme Park, a construction theme park that allows adults and children to drive, ride and operate real construction equipment, is now open! Here’s everything we know about this new attraction in Sevierville, Dig’n Zone Theme Park:
What to Expect
Dig’n Zone Theme Park features more than 25 attractions that allow visitors to operate all different types of construction equipment! Rides include an operable excavator that allows guests to move dirt, farming equipment, pavement rollers and more! Remember the old days of playing the game Operation as a child? There’s a version of Operation using an excavator on dirt instead of tweezers on a body!
Dig’n Zone has partnered with Caterpillar Inc., to supply all the park’s machines and vehicles. All equipment has been modified to make them safe for all guests to enjoy.
Seasonal experiences like Christmas lights during the holiday season and hayrides and corn mazes in the fall are expected to be a part of Dig’n Zone!
Only a handful of construction theme parks are currently open in the United States. Diggerland USA in New Jersey, Dig World in Texas and Heavy Metal Playground in Maryland are a few of the up-and-running construction theme parks.
Cost and Plans
Dig’n Zone broke ground on construction Aug. 23, 2022 and officially opened the doors to its 27-acre theme park in early March of 2024! Owners Gary Allen, Grant Hensley and Watson O’Dell are investing $25 million into the project.
The park is located at 1707 Veteran Blvd. near LeConte Medical Center and is expected to bring numerous jobs to Sevierville! Day passes are $69 for adults and kids ages 11 and up, $55 for children ages 4-10 and seniors 65+, and free for those 3 and under.
Behind the Dig’n
The idea for creating a construction theme park came from a night of watching the TV show “Shark Tank” in 2016, O’Dell explained to the Knox News. In that episode, the creators of Extreme Sandbox, a construction theme park in Minnesota, successfully pitched and secured a $150,000 investment for 15% equity in the company from Mark Cuban and Kevin O’Leary.
Seeing that episode, O’Dell was convinced Sevierville would be a place where people would thoroughly enjoy a construction theme park. Hence, Dig’n Zone was born!
While Extreme Sandbox built its theme park for adults, O’Dell wants Dig’n Zone to be a place for both adults and kids to enjoy!
More Theme Parks in the Smoky Mountains
If Dig’n Zone isn’t your style, there’s no need to worry! The Smoky Mountains are home to these awesome theme parks:
Dollywood
Dollywood features more than 50 world-class rides, entertainment and dining options at its 150-acre theme park in Pigeon Forge! Hosting nearly 3 million visitors each year, Dollywood is a favorite of Smoky Mountain guests. Dollywood has won numerous awards, including being named the No. 1 theme park in the U.S. by Tripadvisor in its 2022 Travelers’ Choice Best of Awards!
Anakeesta
Anakeesta is an award-winning theme park located in Gatlinburg, featuring picturesque views of downtown! This nature immersive park offers loads of fun for people of all ages! Anakeesta translates to “the place of high ground” in the Cherokee language. Chondola rides, the Treetop Skywalk, AnaVista Tower and zip lines are just a few of the things to do at Anakeesta.
Ober Gatlinburg
Ober Gatlinburg is an amusement park — and ski area — open year-round in Gatlinburg. Attractions include an alpine slide, the Ski Mountain coaster, indoor ice skating, mini golf, water raft rides (in the summer), a maze, rock climbing and a carousel! Don’t forget to try the scenic chair lift that takes you to the peak of Mt. Harrison, making for impeccable views of the Smokies!
We’ll be sure to update you on more details about Dig’n Zone Theme Park when we receive them! While you wait for this new attraction in Sevierville to open its doors, spend some time enjoying these other things to do in the Smoky Mountains!
