During the spring and summer, you want to be outside as much as possible. You will love all the outdoor things to do in the Smoky Mountains! With so many activities, you’ll have to get started as soon as possible! Check out these 6 fun outdoor things to do in the Smoky Mountains:
1. Tubing
Relaxing in an inner tube as you float down the river is a fun way to spend the day! You can take your own tubes and go as a family in Townsend, Tennessee or you can visit Smoky Mountain River Rat! You’ll rent tubes, and they will drive you up to the starting point for the upper river float in a company bus. You’ll float down the river over small rapids and exit just past the private cabanas at the River Rat sign. You can continue to tube until your family gets tired!
2. Fishing
If fishing is something that relaxes you, you’ll definitely want to find somewhere while you’re in town! You can fish just about anywhere in the national park from Metcalf Bottoms to streams along hiking trails. The Little Pigeon River in Pigeon Forge or Sevierville are also great places to see some fish. Learn all about the rules and requirements of fishing in the Smoky Mountains before you go.
3. Picnicking
A great way to spend time with your family is take a meal up to the mountains to eat together. You’ll find plenty of picnic spots throughout the mountains. There are picnic areas at Cades Cove, Cosby, Deep Creek, Greenbrier, and Metcalf Bottoms. Stop by a grocery store and pick up all you need for sandwiches or hamburgers and hot dogs, or grab a family meal from a local restaurant and enjoy being together!
4. Ziplining
One of the most popular outdoor things to do in the Smoky Mountains is to go ziplining. If you’re wanting to be in the mountains, CLIMB Works has a duel zipline where you ride down the mountain with another person and see incredible views of the other peaks. If you want to zipline and have some other treetop elements included, head to Zip Gatlinburg for some fun. No matter where you go, your adventure lovers will have a blast racing through the trees!
5. Horseback Riding
Kids and adults alike will love riding through the forest on horseback. Walk through beautiful scenery, past small streams, and get amazing views of the mountains when you ride at Five Oaks Riding Stables. Want to ride horses in the Smoky Mountains? You should check out Cades Cove Riding Stables! Guides will lead you and your family along the trails, and you might even see wildlife while you’re out!
6. White Water Rafting
On a hot summer day, cool off by going white water rafting! River Rat also has a rafting outpost in Hartford, Tennessee with plenty of different rides to choose from! Rafting in the Smokies has scenic family floats that everyone can enjoy, as well as upper river floats for all the adventurers. Smoky Mountain Outdoors lets you choose from lower river trips, upper river trips, and extreme upper river trips, so there’s something for everyone!
No matter what kind of outdoor things to do in the Smoky Mountains you want to try, you’ll find something for everyone in your group! While you’re staying with us, check out other Pigeon Forge attractions your family will love!
