Outdoor Activities

Vacationing in Gatlinburg, Tennessee offers many travelers an experience unlike any other. From the mountains to the many rivers and lakes surrounding the area, Gatlinburg offers visitors a place to experience nature in an untouched, pristine way. The area offers many outdoor activities that are sure to suit any person of any age! With Gatlinburg’s efforts to Go Green, generations to come will be able to enjoy the great outdoors in the Smokies.

Gatlinburg is the gateway to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The park offers 800 miles of hiking trails, ranging in difficulty from beginner to advanced. When choosing a trail, first decide upon the scenery you would like to view during your hike. Are views and wildflowers your thing? Or are waterfalls and forests more your style? Plan a hike, whether day or night, and let The Smoky Mountains National Park give you a taste of the wilderness at its finest.

Have a story about “the one that got away?” Gatlinburg offers both fly and trout fishing that are sure to leave you with a great fish story! Gatlinburg has made fishing easy and accessible for anyone, offering designated fishing areas for “children only” and even building the first fast-water handicap-accessible fishing pier and ramp, located at Herbert Holt Park. Before you cast your line, make sure you purchase your fishing license at the Gatlinburg Welcome Center!

Bicycling can be one of the best ways to spend time on your vacation. Offering excellent opportunities for wildlife viewing and touring 19^th century homes, Cades Cove Loop Road is an 11 mile one way road that is extremely popular with tourists and locals alike. Bring your own bike or rent one at the Cades Cove store. Looking for a more intense cycling experience? Consider the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. While bicycles are allowed on most roads within the park, steep terrain and narrow roads offer an exciting opportunity for experienced cyclists.

The sounds and sights of birds offer many vacationers a chance to relax and observe wildlife it its natural habitat. The Great Smoky Mountains National Park offers a premier location to bird watch. At its highest point, the Smoky Mountains rise nearly a mile over the foothills, creating a habitat for more than 240 species of birds. Sixty species are year round residents of the Smokies while the others use the park as a breeding ground or stop during their migration. So no matter what time you choose to visit, the park will offer fabulous opportunities for bird watching!

To truly get in touch with the outdoors, many visitors enjoy camping in Gatlinburg. Offering several campgrounds and campsites, camping in Gatlinburg can be as rugged or luxurious as you wish! With amenities such as electricity and cable television, even the least outdoorsy person in your vacation group can have a great time. Many campgrounds are located within driving or walking distance of lakes and rivers, so don’t forget to bring your fishing rod!

Have a golfer in your family? No worries – Gatlinburg offers plenty of golf courses sure to satisfy anyone in need a game of golf! Named one of the best golf courses in the south by Southern Living Travel Guide, the Brent Creek Golf Course offers an 18 hole par 72 full golf course. So enjoy a game of golf while taking in the Great Smoky Mountains – it’s sure to be one of the highlights of your vacation!

Want a little more adventure? Zip lining can be one of the most exciting experiences of your vacation! Check out ZipGatlinburg, which offers guided tours of zip lines overlooking the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, the Space Needle, and downtown Gatlinburg. ZipGatlinburg also offers a “Twilight Night Tour,” a nighttime ziplining experience guided by a lighted course. Imagine viewing the lights of Gatlinburg while soaring through the treetops – the experience is sure to be one you will always remember!

The sport of whitewater rafting is one of the most popular ways adventurous families spend their vacations. With no experience necessary, whitewater rafting is a sport anyone can partake in! Most rafting companies offer trips suited for any comfort level – check out Rafting in the Smokies, which offers whitewater trips as well as “float” trips, which are suitable for children as young as three years. So break out those water shoes, bring a towel, and get ready for a memorable experience!

Horseback riding is wonderful if you are wanting to experience the great outdoors of Gatlinburg in a more relaxing way. Cross flowing streams and conquer mountains all while taking in the Great Smokies perched on the back of a horse. Horse back riding offers visitors an opportunity to experience nature in a unique way; since wildlife is undisturbed by horses, catching glimpses of whitetail deer and even bears is not unusual! With rides ranging in length from 1 hour to overnight, and horses of all sizes, stables are guaranteed to have a type of ride suiting your experience level.

How does experiencing Gatlinburg from 1,800 feet in the air sound? Interesting? Check out Gatlinburg Sky Lift, which sits atop Crockett Mountain and is ranked the top Scenic Overlook in Gatlinburg.  Take a ride in a chair lift to the mountain top and enjoy the sights of Gatlinburg from a bird’s eye view. For a more exhilarating experience, take the ride at night and see Gatlinburg all lit up while taking in the dazzling lights.

Check out Outdoor Adventures of the Smokies if you’re looking for a less “run of the mill” experience on your vacation. Offering off-road Hummer Tours, Monster Truck Rides, ATV Rides and Helicopter Tours, Outdoor Adventures is your access to the path less traveled!  Of course, safety is number one at Outdoor Adventures, and your experienced guides and drivers will make sure you and your family remain safe and secure while having the time of your life. Outdoor Adventures has also taken measures to be environmentally friendly, avoiding littering, preserving the landscape and ensuring that no wildlife is disturbed.  So what are you waiting for? Plan an Outdoor Adventure on your next vacation!

Visit our seasonal advice page for more information on what the seasons are like in the mountains and what months have the perfect  weather for each activity.