5 Smoky Mountain Adventures to Try at Least Once
You hear that? Nature is calling! The great outdoors is unquestionably one of the best and most fascinating features of the Great Smoky Mountains! It’s here in nature where many go to find solace amongst life’s chaos, recharge their batteries and experience exhilarating adventures that create lifelong memories. Enjoy a bit of both excitement and relaxation when you cozy up with Mother Nature. Will you pick up when nature rings? Here are 5 Smoky Mountain adventures to try at least once:
1. Hiking to a Waterfall
You’ll be gushing with joy when you experience the unparalleled power and breathtaking beauty of a Smoky Mountain waterfall! The Smoky Mountains are home to more than 100 waterfalls that dot its luscious landscape. Many of these can be accessed via waterfall trails. Get the family together for a heart-pumping hike that offers the best reward around: a waterfall! There are even a handful of waterfalls you can drive to for those who would prefer not to hike or have mobility limitations.
2. Soak Up a Sunrise or Sunset
Your picture perfect photo of the Smokies awaits! Start your day off on the right foot when you take in a stunning sunrise! Head straight for your cabin porch with a cup of coffee when your feet hit the ground or visit one of the most scenic places for a sunrise in the Smokies. If you sleep in on vacation (who could blame you, right?) then catch a sunset. Several spots offer special sunset views that will forever be etched in your memory!
3. Ziplining
Weeeee! The thrills of a zipline have to be experienced for yourself! The views from above simply can’t be topped when you try one of the best Smoky Mountain adventures around. You’ll find several ziplines scattered throughout Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge and Sevierville, offering courses of all lengths, speeds and scenery. CLIMB Works, Adventure Park Ziplines, Legacy Mountain Ziplines, Wahoo Ziplines and the dueling ziplines at Anakeesta are a few of the many options.
4. Whitewater Rafting
Paddle faster! You’ve got spectacular sights to see on the water! If you’re looking for an outdoor adventure that’s perfect for families, whitewater rafting checks all the boxes. Share excitement, laughs and memories when you take a seat in a raft, put your paddle in the choppy waters of the Smokies and ride the rapids! Guided whitewater rafting tours with qualified experts can be found at places like Smoky Mountain Outdoors, Smoky Mountain River Rat, Rafting in the Smokies and others.
5. Snow Tubing
We make good use of the snow we get here in the Smokies! Snow tubing is one of our favorite Smoky Mountain adventures! Rowdy Bear’s Smoky Mountain Snowpark is home to the largest tubing hill in Tennessee, offering snow tubing adventures during the colder months and regular tubing experiences in summer. Ober Mountain in Gatlinburg offers 90-minute snow tubing sessions on its 350-foot-long hill. Snow tubing is a year-round experience when you visit Pigeon Forge Snow, an indoor attraction with a snow tubing hill and climate-controlled conditions.
Be sure to try at least one of these Smoky Mountain adventures on your next visit to the area! The Smokies have several adventure park attractions where you can enjoy multiple different experiences all in one place!
