Top 4 Outdoor Things to Do in the Smoky Mountains
When the weather starts to get warmer in the Smokies, you will want to spend more time outside doing all kinds of fun activities! We want to share some of the top outdoor things to do in the Smoky Mountains, from hiking to horseback riding. No matter what you decide to do, you will have a ton of fun! Here are the top 4 outdoor things to do in the Smoky Mountains:
1. Go on a Hike
One of the top activities to do in the Smoky Mountains is to go on a hike. There are hundreds of trails to choose from, and they range from easy to difficult. Laurel Falls is one of the top easy trails in the Smoky Mountains. The path is paved, and you will see an impressive, 80-foot-tall waterfall at the end of the hike. A few short but fun trails include Cataract Falls and Elkmont Nature Trail. Another waterfall hike you would enjoy is Grotto Falls. This trail is considered moderate. For a more difficult trail with beautiful views of the mountains and other cool geological features, you should hike Alum Cave. To get to the bluffs, it is 2.3 miles from the trailhead. If you want to continue for a few more miles, you will reach the summit of Mount LeConte. Hiking is a great outdoor thing to do in the Smoky Mountains!
2. Race on a Zipline
If you love adventure, you should definitely go ziplining in the Smoky Mountains! You’ll have a ton of fun racing through the trees and moving from platform to platform. Smoky Mountain Ziplines is a great place to zipline. You can go up to 25 miles per hour on 4,200 feet of lines that are over 150 feet in the air. Smoky Mountain Ziplines also has a canopy tour where you can enjoy mountain views. Climb Works is another place where you can enjoy being outdoors and ziplining in the Smoky Mountains. They have two tours to choose from: the mountain view and the tree top. The mountain view tour has duel zip lines where you can race your friends and family down the mountainside.
3. Go Horseback Riding
Another popular thing to do in the Smoky Mountains is to go horseback riding. Animal lovers will enjoy this activity because you get to spend 1.5 to 2 hours with beautiful horses. Many stables take you through the woods on paths with a guide on his or her own horse. Riding on horseback is a great way to see the beauty of the Smokies. One of the best places to ride horses is Cades Cove Riding Stables, where you will be able to see the beautiful area in Cades Cove.
4. Try a Whitewater Rafting Trip
Adventurers will definitely want to go on a whitewater rafting trip in the Smoky Mountains. You can cool off on a hot day and see the scenery of the Smokies. There are all kinds of trips you can take, from lower river trips that are perfect for smaller kids to upper river trips where you can experience class 3 and 4 rapids. A popular place to raft on the river is SMO Rafting. They have all kinds of trips to choose from.
There are so many fun outdoor things to do in the Smoky Mountains. Since you have an idea of what you are going to do when you come to town, you just need a place to stay! Browse through our Pigeon Forge hotel rooms and book one for your next trip!
