Top Gatlinburg Outdoor Activities

Discover the history and culture of Appalachia as you embark on a tour through the Great Smoky Mountains from Gatlinburg. Join a small group and take a hike through the part learning about the lives of loggers and pioneers. Drive along the scenic Newfound Gap Road and make stops to take in the views of valleys, mountains, and the Appalachian Trail.

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.

Combine the convenience of a guided tour with the freedom of independent travel with this self-guided driving tour of Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Download the tour onto your phone and learn about Cherokee history and legends, Appalachian life, and more. See several of the park's best spots such as Clingman's Dome, and Rainbow Falls. Note: this does not include entrance to the park or attractions.

Uncover the sordid past of Gatlinburg, Tennessee during a ghost tour of the mountain town. Listen to stories of tragic deaths, cannibalism, and witchcraft as you stop at famous landmarks including the Gatlinburg Space Needle, White Oak Flats Cemetery, and Mysterious Mansion. As you explore, keep your eyes peeled for any paranormal activity that may be lurking in the area.

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.

The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is known for its incredible wildlife diversity, rich cultural history, and beautiful views. Experience the park for yourself while learning about the local ecosystem and culture on this moderate 4-hour guided hike with a professional naturalist. All guides are certified Wilderness First Responders to ensure not only your safety, but also your peace of mind.

Sightseeing in the “high elevations” of the Great Smoky Mountains can be an experience that won’t soon be forgotten. We travel past the Appalachian Trail and traverse the Crest of the Smokies as we take in the sights above 5000 ft. You will gain facts of the area from your guide that will make these mountains come alive with Native American stories and geographical facts. We travel into the North Carolina side of the National Park to take in the vistas and learn about the impact logging had to the area. You will be amazed how the forest has reclaimed itself over the years. Our goal for this trip is to arrive at the Clingmans Dome parking area and gift shop. This is the highest point in the National Park at 6,643′. If the weather permits, we'll take an optional short walk through the spruce-fir forest and learn about this unique environment.

Take a hike through the Great Smoky Mountains when you book this half-day tour from Gatlinburg. Join your dedicated guide for a trek to Clingmans Dome, hiking through the highest section of the Appalachian Trail. Learn about the local fauna and flora as you walk and enjoy unparalleled views of the surrounding area from the observation tower at the top.

Rather than exploring an unfamiliar environemnt on your own, explore Great Smoky Mountains National Park on a small-group hike that takes you deep into the forest and along a pristine mountain river. You'll also see two waterfalls and learn all about the flora and fauna from your naturalist guide.

Explore the Great Smoky Mountains with a small-group guided van tour. Set out on a sightseeing and nature-themed trip that includes a stroll along the famous Appalachian Trail. Skip the hassle of driving and learn about the history and wildlife of the Smokies while taking in mountain views. Several photo stops are included in the half-day itinerary.

Our Gatlinburg location is right along the Parkway conveniently close to countless entertainment options, perfect for adding an escape room to a day or night out! Some of our top spots for a meal are Mellow Mushroom and Smith & Son Corner Kitchen. The Escape Game Gatlinburg features five unique games including The Depths, our underwater-themed escape room, and Prison Break, our hardest game. Each family-friendly option includes multiple rooms and can hold up to 8 players. These adventures offer a one-of-a-kind premium experience. Follow clues and solve puzzles to complete your mission together. We offer the best escape rooms and the fastest customer support. Come see why our escape rooms win awards.

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.

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.

With this tour, you’ll go home saying you’ve hiked the Appalachian Trail. After meeting up with your guide, you’ll head on foot to some of the Great Smoky Mountains’ wildest geologic fomations, through dense spruce forests, and up to the other-worldly vistas on Anakeesta Ridge. You’ll visit a trail shelter and—the piece de resistance—stumble upon a hidden mountain meadow for panoramic views.

A walking tour is a good way to explore a new city but kick it up a notch with this app-led zombie scavenger hunt. Explore Gatlinburg, Tennessee, find survival objects, and complete zombie-themed tasks all in one go. Collect as many points as you can and compete with other teams around the country to get to the number one ranking.

Solve challenges, score points, and learn all about Gatlinburg as you embark on this private city scavenger hunt. You won’t need to stick to a guide or a large tour group. Instead, work with your private party at your own pace to collect objects around town. Know you have an interactive live host for around two hours if you get stuck or have any questions along the way.

Solve challenges, score points, and learn all about Gatlinburg as you go on this private city scavenger hunt. You won’t need to stick to a guide or a large tour group. Instead, work with your private party at your own pace to collect objects around town. Know you have an interactive live host for around two hours if you get stuck or have any questions along the way.

Discover the sights around Gatlinburg, Tennessee without the need for a tour guide with this app-led scavenger hunt. The objective of the game is to solve challenges and perform tasks to gain points and win the hunt. Each item you find awards you points and a remote host is on standby to help you with any questions.

“The Mountaineers Way” tour is a casual stroll with a local/professional guide. Hear the stories of how the first settlers entered this area when the Native Indians were still using the land. This area was a large mountain community. We will have the opportunity to see physical structures used for farming, cemeteries, and beautiful streams along the way.

The Smoky Mountains are one of the most popular sites for hiking in North Carolina. Enjoy more than a simple walk in the woods when you choose this guided tour led by a professional naturalist. Together, you’ll wander through the Great Smoky Mountain National Park, taking in all of its beauty. The diverse landscape leads you to waterfalls, ancient forests, and crystal clear mountain streams.

On this hike a knowledgeable guide will take you down the famous Appalachian Trail to one of the best views in the entire Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Along the way guests will learn about the history of the early settlors in the mountains, the flora and fauna of the Southern Appalachians, and the founding of the most visited national park in the country.

Celebrate the magic of the season this year with Holly Jolly Hunt. Holly Jolly Hunt is an app based scavenger hunt that you can play anywhere of your choosing. Explore the city and look for holiday related items, both traditional and not so traditional. Take a photo through the app to score points for your scavenger hunt team. Perform fun, holiday challenges that will bring laughter to your team. See your score on the leaderboard compared to other teams from all over. Holly Jolly Hunt is guaranteed to provide lasting holiday memories. Whether you play with friends, family, or even co-workers, Holly Jolly will put a smile on your face for the rest of the year!

Get ready for a full day of hiking and explore Great Smoky Mountains National Park with a naturalist guide on this small-group excursion from Gatlinburg. Follow your guide along rugged terrain as you make your way to a towering waterfall deep in the old-growth forest. Along the way, admire the giant trees, moss-covered boulders, and the West Prong Little Pigeon River.