Pigeon Forge, TN - Outdoor Adventure Attractions

Next door to Pigeon Forge is one of America’s most visited national parks, thus outdoor attractions are a strong draw for tourists visiting the area.
smoky mountains | hiking | natural | climbing

From this great picnic spot, one can see the towering mountain ranges of North Carolina as well as Georgia. A round-trip hike of 3.6 miles from the Forney Ridge parking area at Clingmans Dome makes this one of the most accessible as well as the highest bald in the Park

Once hunting grounds for the Cherokee and named for Chief Abrams wife, the area was originally known as “Kate’s Cove”. Becoming a frontier farming community in the mid 1800s the park bought the property in the late 1920s. Today Cades Cove is a living museum, showcasing the settlers ways of life in homes, barns, churches and mills as they were left when the occupants departed the area. Accessible by car, the one-way Cades Cove loop is 11 miles around and may be bisected in two locations to shorten the trip or to revisit sites.

Well worth a hike, this 1,000-foot sheer drop can be found four miles east along the Appalachian Trail. Named after a bunion that prevented Charlie Conner from traveling through the Gap in 1928, his fellow travelers thought the bare mountain resembled his bunion.

An amazing outcrop formation, Chimney Tops rise almost 2,000 feet and to the cherokee appeared as “forked antlers”. The overlook on Newfound Gap Road is a good place to see the 30-foot deep "flue" in the right-hand peak, which subsequently led the local settlers to give the “chimney” its name.

The highest peak in the Smokies, Clingmans Dome stands at 6,642 feet and is the third highest point east of the Mississippi. An observation tower is located 7 miles off Newfound Gap road, providing stunning views.

Rated easy to moderate, this 2.5 mile trail to the double drop Laurel Falls is one of the most popular walks in the park. The falls drop 50 feet from a grove of mountain laurel and rhododendron into a glorious pool that is perfect for wading. The trail divides the falls at the first pool, from there it continues to drop another 35 feet before reaching the bottom.

A must see car trip, the Little River Road follows the old logging railroad bed from the Sugarlands Welcome Center towards Cades Cove then out of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park down to Townsend. Hairpin turns follow and crisscross the Little River down the mountainside, at each bend in the road appears a feast for the eyes. By midday during certain seasons, drivers may find mega traffic back-ups along this picturesque little road!

The third highest peak in the park, over a mile high at 6,593 feet, LeConte serves as the focal point of the Park. Two different overlooks at the summit provide some awesome views. It’s an amazing day trip with a choice of five trails that lead to the summit, they range from 11 to 16 miles round trip.

Just moments away from away from downtown Gatlinburg, the Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail takes travelers back in time to the days when Gatlinburg was White Oak Flats. A six mile loop follows part of the original 1850 road bed and explores the primal forests and three early 19th-century homesteads of the Bales and Reagan families who bravely tried to farm among the boulder strewn fields.

- Five mile roundtrip hike from Cades Cove Loop Road

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- Four mile roundtrip from Smokemont Campground

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- Four mile and 1/2 mile roundtrip from parking area at entrance to Cosby Campground

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- Four mile roundtrip from Newfound Gap Road (6.7 miles south of Sugarlands Visitor Center) / Strenuous

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- Four mile roundtrip, trial begins between Sugarlands Visitor Center and Elkmont Campground / Moderate

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- Three mile walk off Roaring Fork / Easy

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- Eight mile roundtrip, take Greenbrier Entrance into Park from US 321 (east of Gatlinburg)

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- Wheelchair access on a 1/2 mile paved loop, 1/2 mile south of Sugarlands Visitor Center

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- From parking area at Newfound Gap, 3.4 miles to Indian Gap and back

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- Over three 1/2 mile roundtrip from upper end of Clingmans Dome Road / Rocky

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- Eleven mile roundtrip from Cosby Campground

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- Two mile roundtrip from Greenbrier School

- Cherokee Welcome Center / Route 441 / 1-800-438-1601
There’s lots to do and see here, indoors and out. Besides the Harrah’s Cherokee Casino, the reservation offers tubing down whitewater rivers, fishing, amusement parks, a panoramic chairlift and horseback riding. The Oconaluftee Indian Village is a major craft center as well as living museum offering a view of 18th century Indian life. Another aspect to exploring the Cherokee experience is the outdoor drama presentation “Unto These Hills” which delves into the Trail of Tears, when the Cherokee were forced away from their mountain home and relocated westward into Oklahoma. / $

- 455 Blowing Cave Road / Sevierville / 865-435-5972
Explore the history and development of this natural wonder. One hour guided tours through the cavern are offered daily, views of towering chimneys, waterfalls, cave onyx and rock formations are enhanced by special lighting and stereo sound. / Open from April through November/ $

- 478 Happy Hollow Lane / Sevierville / 865-428-3337
A great up-close adventure for the whole family, over 150 deer and exotic animals await to greet visitors. Feed, pet and see zebra, camels, kangaroos, reindeer and other unique animals, there are pony rides for the little ones as well. / $

- 825 Cavern Road / Townsend / 865-448-2274
Underground waterfalls, streams and huge rooms eroded from the living rock are a few of the sights to be sound at Tuckaleechee. One mile round trip tours are offered along safe concrete walkways. / Open from mid-March to mid-November / $

- Hartford / 1-866-723-8277
Offering white water rafting trips for beginners to experienced rafters along the Big Pigeon and French Broad Rivers. An experienced guide is in every boat. / $

- Tuckaleechee Caverns Road / Townsend / 865-448-2274
Guided mountainous trail rides for the inexperienced or experienced horseback rider, 1/2 hour and hourly rates as well as 1/2 day and overnight trips by reservation. Open year-round, Christmas through March by reservation only. / $

- 1650 Providence Road / Sevierville / 865-428-3587
Horseback riding stables / $

- 909 Little Cove Road / Pigeon Forge / 865-428-9398
Horseback riding stables / $

- 925 Windfield Dunn Highway / Sevierville / 865-429-1029
Offering equipment sales and rentals for mountain bikes, canoeing and kayak trips, backpacking and rock climbing plus trip amps and information. Fishing on Douglas Lake or river tube trips are among other options available at Mountain Sports. / $

- Highway 321 N / Gatlinburg / 865-436-5008 / 1-800-PRO-RAFT
Featuring white water trips safe for 3 year olds to grandparents, as well as more adventuresome trips for more experienced paddlers wanting a challenge. No experience necessary, rafting trips on the Pigeon, Ocoee, French Broad and Nantahala rivers. / $

- Exit 447 off I-40E / Harford Road / Hartford / 1-800-449-RAFT
Located directly on the Pigeon River, this site is the closest “in the water” white water entry point from Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg. The Upper Pigeon River trip is 2 hours long and is geared for rafters 8 years and older. Their Lower Pigeon River trip is ideal for younger families with children 4 to 7 years. / $

- Highway 66 at Blazing Wheels Raceway / Sevierville / 865-774-1029
River trips down the French Broad River in canoes or kayaks, great for the whole family. Sleek fishing boats and lazy tubing trips are also on the menu here. / $

- Hartford / 1-800-771-RAFT
White water rafting for the whole family on the Big Pigeon River, experience not necessary. Experienced guide in every boat./ $

- Townsend / 865-448-9743
Life jacket and tube rentals for adults and children can make an exciting day on the Little Pigeon River. Call for river conditions. / $

- 611 Parkway / Mountain Mall / Gatlinburg / 1-800-USA-RAFT
If you are looking for a memorable way to explore the area, try a bit of white water. No experience necessary, rafting trips on the Pigeon, Ocoee, French Broad and Nantahala rivers./ $

- 2709 Walden Creek Road / Sevierville / 865-429-0411
Open year round, patrons get a bonus Bonfire Supper and hayride with any ride purchase. / $

Reserve Early ...while your preferred accommodations are still available.