Top Tennessee Outdoor Activities

Enjoy a thrilling day out on the Pigeon River with this private guided whitewater rafting tour. Meet in Hartford for a safety briefing, the head to the river to tackle 5 miles (8 kilometers) of class III to class IV rapids, with scenic views of the Cherokee National Forest and Great Smoky Mountains along the way. No experience necessary.

When you’re ready for an unforgettable ride, come visit The Wild Stallion Mountain Coaster! This is the longest mountain coaster in the Southeast and provides visitors with an 8+ minute ride that is sure to be one of the highlights of your visits. You can ride The Wild Stallion Mountain Coaster during the day for scenic views of Sevierville and the Smoky Mountains, or ride it at night to see the sparkling city lights.

If you’re looking for an adventure that puts you high in the sky with 360-degree views of the Great Smoky Mountains, this Gatlinburg Mountaintop Zipline and Sky Bridge Experience is just for you. Along with six opportunities to zipline high above the treetops, you’ll also get to go on four sky bridges and rappel onto the end platform. Plus, an ATV ride to the top of the mountain is included to make for an easy and fun time.

Whether you’re an all-terrain vehicle (ATV) novice or a seasoned off-roader, enjoy thrills and spills under the eye of an instructor/guide on this Pigeon Forge adventure. Riding your own solo ATV, roar up to a high bluff with valley views and down to a messy mudhole (immersion optional). Numbers are limited to 10, ensuring personal attention and minimal waiting around.

You don’t have to be a kid to act like one with this Zorbing experience in Pigeon Forge—though kids as young as five are welcome to participate. Roll down a 1,00 foot (304 meter) hill in a giant, specialty-welded human hamster ball with up to three of your friends or family members. There are no other zorbing tracks in the country quite like it!

Take in the beauty of Sevierville Nature Park from new heights with this private zipline tour. With the Smoky Mountains as a backdrop, this 2,500-foot-long tour covers seven separate ziplines and sees guests travel up to 50mph. One for adventure lovers, as well as frequent visitors to the area looking to do something new, each tour is guided by a zipline professional who’ll point out areas of interest along your journey.

Zip through Tennessee's Great Smoky Mountains on a mountain coaster with this admission ticket. Navigate several twists, turns, and drops through the lush forest landscape and take in the mountain scenery while you ride. For the more adventurous, take the coaster at night and enjoy a fun ride through the mountains while it's lit up.

Go whitewater rafting in Tennessee with this half-day adventure along the Ocoee River. After a short safety introduction, board a private bus for a ride through the Cherokee National Forest. Climb aboard the raft and experience more than 20 class III and class IV rapids while descending the river gorge. Enjoy plenty of opportunities to swim, if you wish, on this nature-filled escape from the city.

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.

No need to travel far to take this thrilling Pigeon River white-water rafting tour, which departs from a central location right by Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg—one of the closest put-ins in the area. As the lengthiest rafting trip on the Pigeon River, this excursion is perfect for thrill seekers, while a guide on every raft makes it appropriate for rafters of all experience levels.

We have the best location on the Nantahala River being located right at the takeout. This means you'll only ride the bus once and you'll finish at your car. After the river, enjoy one of our two restaurants by the river.

A cornerstone of Smokies vacations, the Pigeon is the closest whitewater rafting tour to Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge, and Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

A delightful evening awaits on the Cumberland River with a Nashville dinner cruise aboard an authentic paddlewheeler. Enjoy sweeping skyline views as you savor a lavish buffet while listening to live music and dancing. Dine at a reserved table in a beautifully appointed Victorian dining room and take in the stunning views of downtown Nashville illuminated at night. Whether celebrating a special occasion or simply dining out, this cruise offers a memorable experience on the water. - 2-hour dinner cruise with live music and dancing - Reserved tables in an elegant dining room with buffet service - Scenic views of downtown Nashville from the river - Full-service bar available for purchase on board

Test your rafting skills on the white-water rapids of the Upper Pigeon River with this private rafting adventure. Set off with an expert guide to take on the churning river and enjoy views of the Cherokee National Forest and the Great Smoky Mountains. Navigate the river with tips from your guide, stopping along the way to take a dip.

Explore Nashville from the iconic Cumberland River aboard an authentic paddlewheel riverboat. This delightful sightseeing cruise features live narration and music, providing a unique glimpse into the history and culture of Music City. Relax in the Victorian dining rooms or enjoy the river breeze on the promenade deck. Lunch and a full bar are available for purchase, making it an ideal outing for families and groups alike. Don't miss the chance to see historic steam engines in operation on the Steamer Nashville, one of only three remaining western river steamboats. - 1.5-hour sightseeing cruise with live narration and music - Family-friendly atmosphere with indoor/outdoor seating options - Lunch and full bar available for purchase on board - Unique opportunity to tour historic steam engines in operation

Fly high above the Tennessee countryside on this helicopter tour over the French Broad River, Douglas Lake, and the Great Smoky Mountains. Gain a new perspective on the landscape as your helicopter weaves through the air and you learn what makes the area unique through guided narration from your pilot.

Explore Nashville from a local's perspective on this city tour with a local guide. Aboard an open-air, low-speed vehicle, cruise through Nashville to see numerous landmarks and other sightseeing locations. Notable sights along this tour include Country Music Hall of Fame, Ryman Auditorium, Music Row, The Gulch, and Marathon Village. Select a morning, afternoon, or evening tour when booking.

Experience the Smoky Mountains like never before in a premium street-legal 4-seater Polaris RZR built for scenic adventures around Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge. Unlike crowded guided tours, self-guided rentals give travelers the freedom to explore at an individual pace, stop for photos, discover hidden mountain roads, and enjoy the beauty of the Smokies with family, friends, or pets. Rentals are beginner-friendly and include a safety orientation, recommended scenic routes, national park parking pass, and local tips to help maximize the adventure. Whether looking for mountain views, peaceful forest drives, or a fun outdoor experience, Smoky Motorsport Rentals delivers a unique and flexible way to explore East Tennessee.

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.

See more of Nashville than just the music sights on this street art tour by private golf cart. With a guide, cruise along city streets, stopping at murals for photo ops. Select a morning, afternoon, or evening departure time when booking.

Take to the water for an adrenaline-fueled whitewater rafting adventure along the Upper Pigeon River. Enjoy spectacular views of the Smoky Mountains as you paddle through the gorge, tackle more than a dozen thrilling Class III and IV rapids such as ‘Snapdragon’ and ‘Powerhouse’, and perhaps jump in to cool off with a swim.

Hit the dance floor with confidence while visiting Nashville with the skills you pick up at this line dance lesson for beginners. Learn the basic steps in just an hour with this fun but informative workshop so you can jump into any honky tonk dance party in Music City and show off your moves at home. Record your lesson on your phone with the provided tripods for a refresher before your next night on the town.

The nation's most-popular whitewater rafting trip offers near-constant excitement from start to finish and is located just below the 1996 Olympic Whitewater Course. Many rafters consider the Ocoee’s intensity and difficulty “just right" with a greatest hit compilation of rapids. Highlights of the run—and there are many—include huge waves at Double Trouble, fast, frenzied currents at Tablesaw and the boat-drenching punch through Hell Hole rapid.