Top Tennessee Outdoor Activities

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.

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.

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.

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.

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!

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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 - 30-minute boarding, with souvenir boarding photo available for purchase - 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

This guided tour of the Belle Meade Mansion offers an unforgettable experience at one of Nashville's most iconic historic sites, with a wine tasting. Explore the impressive 1853 Greek Revival Mansion on a guided tour, then enjoy a complimentary wine tasting at the on-site Belle Meade Winery. Your admission also includes access to the scenic grounds, historic outbuildings, outdoor games, walking trails, gift shops, and the delicious Belle Meade Meat & Three restaurant.

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.

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.

While visiting Memphis, take a guided sightseeing tour of downtown, passing many landmarks and enjoying some free time to explore. Then board a paddlewheel boat for a cruise on the Mississippi River. See Memphis’ highlights, including Beale Street and the former mansions of the Victorian Village neighborhood—ideal for first-time visitors. This combo tour includes hotel pickup and drop-off from select hotels, for your convenience.

Go white water rafting in Tennessee with this half-day adventure on the Ocoee River. Get your adrenaline pumping during this seasonal excursion along 10 miles (16 kilometers) of rapids, including class III and IV rapids. A riverside picnic lunch is also included, so you don't have to worry about packing snacks. Children must be at least 12 years old to participate.

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.

The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is home to some of the best trout fishing in the Southeast. Whether you are a first-timer or a lifelong fly fisher, let Smoky Mountain Guides take you to the best fishing spots in the park. Once booked, our guide will contact you to arrange the details of your trip. We’ll work with you to plan a four-hour fishing trip based on your fish preference (rainbow, brown, or brook trout) and your hiking preference. SMG provides all the gear needed for fishing, including rods, flies, line, waders, and boots. Participants should bring a valid fishing license issued by either Tennessee or North Carolina and a Great Smoky Mountains parking pass.

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.

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.

Fly high above the Tennessee countryside on this helicopter tour over the French Broad River, Douglas Lake, and the Great Smoky Mountains. Extra elevation gains guarantee broader views of the surrounding landscape with a focus on Douglas Lake and the Douglas Dam, while the included headsets make it easy to communicate with your pilot and hear about the sights as you weave through the sky.

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.

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 - 30-minute boarding, with souvenir boarding photo available for purchase - 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