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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Discover Chattanooga from the water with an electric Boat rental. Navigate the serene Tennessee River at your own pace, surrounded by stunning mountain scenery and iconic downtown views. This eco-friendly, easy-to-drive boat is ideal for families, couples, and friends looking for an unforgettable day on the water. - Captain your own electric boat—no boating experience required - Enjoy activities like swimming, fishing, or simply relaxing on the water - Bring your pets and pack snacks for a personalized adventure - Take in breathtaking sights beneath famous bridges and along the waterfront

Fly high above the Great Smoky Mountains on this helicopter tour over the Tennessee countryside. See a broad 24 mile range of undeveloped mountains, including Bluff Mountain and Sugar Loaf Mountain, and learn about the environment through narration from your pilot as you weave through the sky.

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.

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.

Get ready for an experience so immersive that you will leave feeling like a game show legend! Every 60-minute game show consists of 5 rounds of mini-games that are customized to your groups skill level. Every round offers a different kind of gameplay from strategy to luck to trivia and more! Blockchain let’s you complete by answering trivia questions to connect your chain before the other team; Drawing In The Dark has you guessing what your blindfolded teammate is drawing within 45 seconds; Major Miners is where you guess the LEAST popular answer to a survey question; Spin Out gives you that iconic “spin the wheel” moment. And that’s only 4 of our 17+ mini-games that your gameshow could include! Read more about - https://greatbiggameshow.com/nashville/

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.

Prepare to get wet on an exciting Smoky Mountain rafting adventure down the Pigeon River. Even if it’s your first time, grab a paddle and navigate dozens of class I and II rapids that offer plenty of splashes and thrills but are perfect for beginners. The closest rafting to Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge, this 2-hour afternoon trip makes a great addition to any Smoky Mountain family vacation.

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.

If you’ve ever wanted to learn how to line dance, then this is the experience for you. Save time watching videos over and over again, and instead, get expert guidance from a teacher. The lesson is perfect for beginners, as it starts with the basic steps, and progresses to line dances that are well-known across the US. Best of all, at the end, a video is provided to take home with you, so you can practice in your own time.

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.

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.

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

The Ocoee River formed naturally without any of the undercuts or sieves present in most waterways. For our rafters that means we can push the boundaries of what a non-professional can experience. At OAR we train for longer then any other company. We are also the only company that requires each guide to complete an EMR certification as well as a Swiftwater Rescue class. This enables us to confidently do things on the water other companies can't and take guests that other companies won't.

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.

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.