Outdoor Fun in the Smokies
Soaring mountain vistas, dipping valleys, fields of wildflowers, families of playful (from a distance!) black bears, the largest diversity of salamanders in the world, beautiful trees and flowering bushes, bright blue skies, and quiet mountain streams are just a few of the natural features that make the Great Smoky Mountains great. The Great Smoky Mountains National Park – one of the most popular reasons to visit the area – is the most visited national park in the country. Millions of people make the trip to the Smokies each year, finding tons of opportunities for outdoor fun – even beyond the national park.
Whether you’re an outdoor enthusiast, seasoned hiker, or just wanting to have some family-friendly fun, take some time to enjoy the outdoors on your next Smoky Mountain vacation. From the national park to downtown Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge, you’ll have plenty of fun outdoor activities and attractions!
Challenge yourself with a hike up Mount LeConte.
From the Alum Cave trailhead, a strenuous 5.5-mile hike with a 2,763-foot climb leads up to awesome views at the top of Mount LeConte. It’s not the longest or the steepest hike in the Smokies, but it does offer probably the best variety of things to see. The trail is known for Arch Rock, beautiful rhododendron, peregrine falcons, historic Alum Cave, Gracie’s Pulpit, and more.
Hike to a waterfall for awesome views and a refreshing end to a beautiful hike.
From strenuous climbs to easy walks, there are plenty of ways to enjoy the beautiful waterfalls in the Smokies. Try the shorter Lynn Camp Prong Cascades (with benches along the way) for an easy walk, or spend a little more time making your way to favorites like Abrams Falls, Ramsey Cascades (tallest in the park), or Rainbow Falls.
Take a group tour with Smoky Mountain Guides.
The pros at Smoky Mountain Guides have years of experience and a wealth of knowledge about the Great Smoky Mountains. Whether you’re looking for a team-building exercise for a corporate group, planning a church or youth retreat, or just want to do something a little different outdoors, they have something for you. They offer everything from waterfall and wine hikes, interpretive history walks, auto tours, and fly fishing adventures to photography workshops, guided Mount LeConte hikes, father-son adventures, and safety consulting.
Take a horseback ride through the Smokies with Sugarland Riding Stables.
With rides for kids 5 and up, Sugarland Riding Stables offers fun for the whole family. They boast 20+ years of experience, rides for beginners and advanced riders, and trails that let you experience the beauty of the Smokies – from the quiet mountain streams to the soaring peaks. They also accommodate large groups, so they’re great for retreats and reunions. Call 865.436.5634 for large-group inquiries.
Drive through scenic Cades Cove and stop for a picnic and sightseeing.
The 11-mile historic Cades Cove Loop Road is a local favorite and at the top of every “must do in the Smokies” list. Its blend of historic buildings, wildlife, and diverse mountain scenery makes it one of the most unique and beautiful places to visit in the Great Smoky Mountains. It’s home to historic churches and homesteads, fields of wildflowers, mountain vistas, cool streams, black bears, deer, wild turkeys, and more!
Fly through the trees with Smoky Mountain Ziplines.
A base camp with free drinks, a covered porch, comfortable seating, Smoky Mountain Ziplines t-shirts and gear, and TVs where you can see pictures of your tree-top adventures is just the start to the fun at Smoky Mountain Ziplines. You can opt for a 9-line, 12-line, Super Ziplines, or Full Package (3 hrs) tour with the experienced guides here. (Cabins for YOU partner)
Go fishing in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
There are almost 3,000 miles of streams within the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, with one of the largest wild trout habitats in the eastern U.S. That means you have plenty of opportunities for fishing in the Smokies, especially because fishing is permitted year-round and in all streams of the park!
Play at Ober Gatlinburg.
Ober Gatlinburg offers fun year-round, from the indoor ice skating to skiing and snowboarding in winter. But summer is a great time to visit, with lots of outdoor fun. Ride the Ski Mountain Coaster, fly down the Alpine Slide, enjoy gorgeous mountain views on the Scenic Chairlift, splash over to the Water Raft Rides – Blue Cyclone Rapids and Shoot-The-Chute & Lightnin’ – let kids have fun on the Chair Swings, wind your way through the Amaze’N Maze, putt around with mini golf, take younger kids to Kiddie Land, or meet animals at the Wildlife Encounter! (Cabins for YOU partner)
Spend a peaceful afternoon at Bent Creek Golf Course.
Three-time Masters and British Open Championship-Winner Gary Player designed the par 72 course to be both challenging and fun, and the scenery of the Smokies just adds to the course’s appeal. It’s been named among the top 50 golf courses in the South, and it’s a Cabins for YOU partner, which means you’ll save at Bent Creek when you book a cabin with us!
Cabins for YOU Partner Program
At Cabins for YOU, we’re all about YOU. We want you to have an awesome experience in the Great Smoky Mountains, stay in a beautiful, comfortable cabin, and keep as much cash in your own pocket as possible. That’s why we have our Cabins for YOU Partner Program, which offers you deals on some of the area’s top attractions when you book a cabin with us. Ask your Vacation Planner for more details!
Cabins for YOU Partners
Amazing Animals |Bent Creek Golf Course | Comedy Barn | Country Tonite | Darren Romeo Magic | Hatfield & McCoy Dinner Show | Ober Gatlinburg | Smoky Mountain Opry | Smith Morning Variety Show | Smoky Mountain Zipline | Titanic | Guinness World of Records Museum | Ripley’s Davy Crockett Mini Golf | Ripley’s Moving Theater | Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies | Ripley’s Haunted Adventure | Ripley’s Old MacDonald’s Farm Mini Golf | Ripley’s Believe It Or Not! Odditorium | Ripley’s Marvelous Mirror Maze | The Escape Game