Top Tennessee Nature and Wildlife Tours

The Crystal Palace Tour is a 45-55 minute guided walking tour through the first 1/4 mile of the cave. This section of the cave has been modified to include lights, pathways, steps, and handrails. Education is the focus of our tours and your guide will explain how caves form, provide a history of the cave, and point out a wide variety of formations such as stalactites, stalagmites, soda straws, and much more, including rare shield and helictite formations! Guests also have a chance to view cave wildlife including bats and salamanders, as well as ancient fossils. Photography is welcomed, however you must keep up with the group. As a reminder our cave is not wheelchair or child stroller accessible.

Relax in the arms of Mother Nature on this guided jeep tour of the Smoky Mountains. Take about a half day to explore all the woodlands and water features that make up the Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail. Max group size is 10, so a small group tour. Explore the American Frontier with nearly 200 years of history.

Check out one of the most scenic drives in America on this approximately three hour jeep tour along the Foothills Parkway in the Smoky Mountains. This is a small group tour, so you’ll keep costs down by sharing your vehicle. But you’ll still have excellent views, several stops for photos, and a fun family-friendly all terrain ride.

With as many as 100,000 endangered grey bats coming to roost around the caves of Nickajack Lake, this kayaking tour near Chattanooga offers an exceptional opportunity to watch them on their nightly hunts. You’ll visit the Nickajack Bat Cave and Wildlife Refuge in the Tennessee River and paddle out to the bat cave. While these animals take to the sky during sunset, you’ll learn about the local efforts made to protect and preserve the species.

HENOSIS was the first mushroom farm serving Nashville and the Middle Tennessee area, and we are proud to share our regenerative farming practices with our tour participants - showing the process of growing mushrooms from making substrate to composting that substrate once it has served its purpose. At our farm, we have a full-circle mushroom production process that serves local Farmer's Markets and dozens of the finest restaurants in Nashville, all housed in a small and highly efficient space. We will include lots of time for questions, as well as hands-on opportunities to keep people of all learning styles and age ranges engaged and interested.

Take a relaxing horse trail ride through one of the most beautiful and largest urban parks in the USA. At a size of 4,500 acres this area covers more than five times the area of Central Park in New York City. While riding the horse trails with your trail guide, you'll have the opportunity to see deer, ducks, cranes and other wildlife. The horses are well-trained and can handle riders with all levels of experience. Choose from morning or afternoon departures. All riders must weigh less than 240 lbs

You don’t have to retreat to the country to live your cowboy or cowgirl adventure: this 4,500-acre urban oasis is right in the middle of Memphis. Saddle up and explore the trails inside this sprawling city park, which is home to a variety of wildlife including deer, ducks, cranes, and more. Horses are well-trained and accustomed to riders of all experience levels.

Discover a bygone era on a 3-hour tour of Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Hear stories about the Cherokee people and settlers that lived and worked in the mountains, and learn how they survived off the land. See a small family cemetery, 19th-century barn and an old fashioned spring house, then get a glimpse of settlers’ daily lives in a small restored cabin. Enjoy a relaxed nature walk with a guide that brings the Smoky Mountains’ distinctive wildlife, plants and geology to life at every turn.

Discover the scenic beauty of Lebanon, TN on a 1.5-hour trail ride through the picturesque Cedars of Lebanon State Park. Accompanied by knowledgeable trail guides, this adventure is perfect for riders aged 13 and up, whether you're a beginner or have more experience. As you navigate through captivating landscapes, you'll gain insights into the park's rich history and wildlife. Capture stunning views and create unforgettable memories with the majestic horses that accompany you on this journey into nature's embrace.

Embark on the US East National Park Self-Guided Driving and Walking Audio Tours Bundle! Explore Acadia, Asheville, and the Smoky Mountains. Visit Cades Cove, Shenandoah, and Cuyahoga Valley, then experience the Everglades and Hot Springs. Cruise the scenic Blue Ridge Parkway (currently closed temporarily) and hike to Clingmans Dome. This bundle offers a diverse mix of nature, history, and adventure in some of the East's most iconic national parks. Purchase one tour per car, not per person. Everyone listens together! After booking, you can check your email before downloading the Tour Guide App by Action, entering your unique password, and accessing your tour. The preceding steps require good internet/Wi-Fi access. Simply follow the audio instructions and the route from there. New, Lifetime access, no expiry. Use it anytime, on any trip, as many times as you want. This is not an entrance ticket to attractions along the route. Check opening hours before your visit.

Explore the best of country music’s past and present with this Country Music Hall of Fame® and Museum ticket. Situated in the heart of downtown Nashville, this beautifully modern facility is known as the “Smithsonian of country music,” offering 350,000 square feet of dynamic, state-of-the-art galleries, archival storage, educational classrooms, retail stores, restaurants, and special event space—all with a stunning view of the rest of Music City. It’s a must-see venue for all fans of country music.

Experience one of the most peaceful hikes in the Smoky Mountains on a guided, family-friendly adventure. Follow a wide, winding forest trail alongside a rushing mountain creek, cross gentle streams, and explore historic remnants tucked deep in the woods. Perfect for beginners, families, and groups, this relaxing hike offers an immersive introduction to the beauty, sounds, and serenity of the Smokies—without steep climbs or crowded overlooks. Please note that, while we do our best to follow the itinerary listed, we may need to pivot due to road closures or events outside of our control.

Join us for the ultimate jet boat tour in the Smoky Mountains. This tour combines all three of our tours into one. Witness the Douglas Dam, a key piece of American history located on the picturesque French Broad River. Jet through the Seven Islands State Park and try to spot some of the over 200 different species of birds that enhabit this wildlife sanctuary. As you're cruising down the river, watch out for river otters, deer and coyotes along the bank. Expect amazing views of the beautiful Great Smoky Mountains! Whether you're a history buff, a nature lover, or simply looking for a unique adventure, our tour offers something for everyone.

For those looking for the ultimate Smoky Mountains helicopter experience, this tour delivers it all. Departing from the closest heliport to the Great Smoky Mountains, you’ll head south along the Great Smoky Mountains Parkway before soaring above Sevierville and Pigeon Forge. Your first sweeping turn takes you over The Island in Pigeon Forge, with incredible views of landmarks like WonderWorks, the Titanic Museum, the Island Ferris Wheel, and more spread out below. From there, the flight turns west toward the rolling landscape of Wears Valley as Bluff Mountain comes into view. You’ll climb to over 3,500 feet while cruising along the peaks of Bluff Mountain, taking in wide open mountain views that are perfect for photos. This tour is built for guests who want the full Smoky Mountains experience, combining iconic attractions with the natural beauty that makes this region unforgettable.

Heavy traffic can take away from the fun of driving the 11-mile (17.7 kilometer) Cades Cove loop. This guided bus tour offers a low-stress alternative to taking your own car, plus provides the benefit of guided commentary so you get more out of the trip than just a chance to admire mountain scenery.

A personalized horseback riding adventure awaits in Lebanon, TN. This 1.5-hour private trail ride is perfect for groups looking to explore the natural beauty of Cedars of Lebanon State Park. Riders aged 7 and up can gather their friends and family for an exclusive experience. Enjoy the peaceful surroundings as you ride through lush greenery, creating unforgettable memories in a serene setting. With a maximum weight limit of 240 lbs, this intimate ride is designed for all experience levels, ensuring everyone can partake in the joy of horseback riding.

Hop aboard for the Island Pointe Tour along the scenic French Broad River and experience one of the most unique ways to explore the Great Smoky Mountains. This guided jet boat adventure blends breathtaking scenery with engaging narration from your captain, who brings the river’s history, wildlife, and hidden features to life. Cruise through a beautiful stretch of river lined with rolling hills and mountain views as you make your way to one of the tour’s standout features a majestic riverside cave. Your captain will take you right up to the cave, sharing stories and fun facts that make this stop a guest favorite and a great photo opportunity. Along the way, keep an eye out for local wildlife like bald eagles, osprey, turtles, and deer often seen along the shoreline. With a mix of relaxing sightseeing and light adventure, the Island Pointe Tour is perfect for families, couples, and groups looking to experience the Smokies from a fresh perspective.

Get wet and muddy when exploring the Cosby Picnic area and the Great Smoky Mountains with kids and a nature guide, awakening enthusiasm and reconnecting with mother nature. The aim is to focus attention through games, while soaking up fresh air, looking for salamanders, and just having some good outdoor fun in the forest.

The Tennessee River’s Chickamauga Dam is a marvel of engineering, holding back floodwaters while producing hydroelectric power. Experience this impressive structure up close by kayaking through the dam’s lock on this remarkable guided tour. Over the course of around three hours, you’ll paddle into the lock, watch the gates close, and slowly sink down some 50 feet before paddling back out into the river.

Scottish Highland Cows are one of the world’s oldest cattle breeds. Written records date back to the 6th century! At Cedar Pond Farms, our meet-and-greet with these amazing cows is a unique, year-round attraction. It’s for families, history buffs, and anyone seeking fun, friendly interactions.

Rather than exploring an unfamiliar environemnt on your own, explore Great Smoky Mountains National Park on a small-group hike that takes you deep into the forest and along a pristine mountain river. You'll also see two waterfalls and learn all about the flora and fauna from your naturalist guide.

For the curious traveler who wants more from their travels, this fall foliage tour can’t be beat. Following your guide—a biologist, ecologist, or park ranger—you’ll get a deeper understanding of this gorgeous area, walking or hiking through the scenic Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Get ready to learn, have fun, and scout out some brilliant autumn color and incredible Smoky Mountain views.

We have a strong passion for the environment! That's why this tour is jam packed with adventure and nature. We take you on the French Broad River to Seven Islands State Park! Home to almost 200 species of birds in this wildlife sanctuary and refuge. Songbirds, hawks, owls and waterfowl abound. River otters, deer, and coyotes are a few of the animals you may see while on the boat. Expect views of the beautiful Great Smoky Mountains as your backdrop for a beautiful ride down the river.