Choose Your Outdoor Adventure in Tennessee

Featured in this Article:

Fishing on the Water or Waterpark?
Off-Road ATV or Whitewater Rafting?
Mountain Bike Park or Amusement Park?
Comfortable Cottage or Cozy Campsite?
Family Cookout or Picnic Hangout?
Solo Adventure or Group Expedition?
Smoky Mountain Views or Wildlife Wonders?
History Lesson or Hang-Gliding Session?
Ziplining or Zorbing?

Tennessee is known for its wide variety of fish. More trophy smallmouth bass have been caught at Dale Hollow Lake than any body of water in the world. The winding Hatchie River in Southwest Tennessee is rich with big-game fish. Enjoy fantastic mountain views and calm waters while fishing the 43-mile-long Douglas Lake, often considered one of the best fishing spots in East Tennessee. With 12 marinas and 16 boat ramps, you can bring your own boat or rent pontoons on site. A guided fishing trip is also available for newcomers of all ages or those interested in finding the best spots on the lake to cast off. You’ll find ideal fly-fishing for trout in the scenic wilderness of Lamar Alexander Rocky Fork State Park in Flag Pond or in the South Holston River in Kingsport. July is a terrific night-fishing month for black bass at Center Hill Lake. Fort Loudoun Lake has plentiful fishing ground for big catfish. Quick tip: Whether you’re a resident or just visiting Tennessee, make sure you have a Tennessee fishing license before fishing in the state. 

Nashville Shores - Nashville

Open sunrise to sunset seven days a week, Doe Mountain Recreation Area outside Mountain City features 8,600 acres of protected mountain terrain and trails perfect for ATVs, UTVs and mountain bikes and even has separate hiking and equestrian trails. Be sure to stop at historic Kettlefoot Fire Lookout Tower located high atop Doe Mountain with panoramic 360-degree views of the surrounding peaks. 

Bee Creek Off-Road Adventures - Pikeville

Discover the natural hidden gems in the Fall Creek Falls area in a side-by-side or an ATV tour with Bee Creek Off-Road Adventures in Pikeville. It's a great way to spend a family-friendly afternoon. Choose from three tours that offer different experiences that show you incredible views of Tennessee's scenic beauty. 

Ocoee River Recreation Area

Get ready for an exhilarating whitewater rafting experience on the Ocoee River. Available for beginners and seasoned rafters alike, the outfitters along the Ocoee River have a number of knowledge and friendly guides to lead your expedition and provide an incredible and safe trip on the river. There are several different experiences you can book which will take you on different parts of the Ocoee River, or you can book full river experiences. The 23-mile Ocoee Scenic River State Park has Class III rapids in addition to canoeing, rafting, fishing, hiking and nature photography. Start your adventure at the Nantahala Outdoor Center in Hartford. The Pigeon River in the Smoky Mountains, which has 70 rapids over 6.5 miles.

Explore the Ghost River 

Grab your mountain bike and head on over to Tannery Knobs Mountain Bike Park for a unique riding experience only a short ride from downtown Johnson City. Featuring beautiful mountain views and well-maintained trails covering over 40 acres of heavily wooded terrain, there are plenty of paths for beginners and experts alike. Fun for family, friends, or solo adventuring, the professionally designed and built trails are broken into several categories based on difficulty level including green (easiest), blue, and black (hardest). There is even a paved pump track available.  

Dollywood - Pigeon Forge

Recognized as one of the world’s best theme parks and known for its award-winning shows, rides and special events, visit Dollywood in Pigeon Forge for a fantastic East Tennessee experience. Enjoy seasonal celebrations with special activities like fireworks in the summer, glowing pumpkins in the fall, over 5 million sparkling lights during “Smoky Mountain Christmas” and the bloom festival during the spring. A picturesque landscape sets the stage for a wide collection of quaint shops, rides and roller coasters. Numerous live music performances and shows also occur throughout the day. There is even a Dolly Parton Museum featuring tons of Dolly memorabilia. 

The Island in Pigeon Forge - Pigeon Forge

For a secluded and charming woodland oasis hidden away in the backwoods of Smithville, book a stay at Evins Mill. Beautiful buildings that blend with the landscape are scattered around the property and wooden pathways lit by string lights connect you to the restaurant and other facilities. Delicious food served at the restaurant will be a highlight and for those with food allergies or restrictions, the staff cooks specially crafted meals to accommodate your needs. There are also opportunities to hike, including a private trail leading to a waterfall. Perfect for a simple weekend getaway, group retreat or even a proposal or wedding, Evins Mill provides excellent service in a charming and relaxing space. 

Cottage at Stillwaters Farm - Henderson

Get away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life and stay at the Cottage at Stillwater Farm in Henderson. Set in a quiet and peaceful 150+ acre piece of land, you can hike, explore nature and watch the wildlife. And, if you’re interested, the farm offers you the chance to interact with the number of farm animals located on the property. Take a tour, jump right into daily farm activities and meet some new friends like Holly the cow, Mike the rooster, Cisco the donkey, and Skeeter the farm dog. Witness spectacular sunsets with the backdrop of the farm’s horse pastures and fields. It will surely be a relaxing and unique experience you’ll never forget.

South Cumberland State Park - Monteagle

Pitch your tent and enjoy living in the outdoors at a campsite in South Cumberland State Park. With more than 90 miles of backpacking trails, the park includes 93 campsites, eight group sites and one rustic lodge available for reservation. Featuring incredible beauty from a variety of waterfalls, rock formations, trails and some spectacular views, South Cumberland State Park provides the perfect setting for a camping trip. And, if you are a rock climber, there are several great spots to climb at the park but be sure to register at the ranger’s station at the trailhead before starting. Quick tip: Make your campsite reservation beforehand and follow the rules designated for your site.

Buffalo Bud's Canoe, Kayak & Campground

The Glenn Springs Lake is over 300-acres and is a perfect getaway for enjoying the outdoors on a picnic. Settle in at one of the fishing piers or sit on the banks and watch the boats go by sailing. With picnic pavilions, a clubhouse and restrooms for your convenience, you can spend a whole day relaxing with the family. 

Shelby Farms Park - Memphis

With 4,500 acres of green space and nearly 40 miles of trails, Shelby Farms Park which is located in the heart of Memphis, stands as one of the largest urban parks in the world. Plan your day around fishing and ziplining, horseback riding lessons, BMX biking, axe-throwing, paintball, playgrounds, boat rentals, cycling, laser tag, hiking, picnicking and so much more. Bring your own food and set up on one of the many open grass areas or grab some snacks, cold drinks and frozen treats from the Shop at Lake’s Edge or Pine Lake Outpost. 

Visit the Warner Parks in Nashville for winding paths, hiking trails, and great views within a 3,100-acre area. Featuring picnic areas, a dog park, scenic roadways, hiking/mountain bike trails, horse trails, running courses, babbling brooks, ponds, and more, the Edwin and Percy Warner Parks are located only nine miles from downtown Nashville. Well-marked trails are a hit with visitors and a popular place for walking and jogging due to the varying topography and available paved trails. Quick tip: Renovations recently finished on the famous steps located at Percy Warner Park; once to the top of the hill, there are some great views.  

Obed Wild Scenic River - Wartburg

Looking for an incredible shared experience? Grab your belay buddy and reach new heights. In Tennessee, avid climbers and first-timers can rock. Climbers from around the globe hang at Obed Wild and Scenic River near Wartburg, which has some 350 “sport” or permanently bolted routes ranging from easy to difficult.

For beginners, Stone Fort (Little Rock City) in Chattanooga has the best spots in the Southeast for bouldering (rock climbing that doesn’t use ropes). At Big South Fork National River & Recreation Area, more daring rock climbers seek out bolted routes on hundreds of miles of sandstone bluffs. 

Waterfall Hikes in Tennessee

Whether traveling alone or with a group of friends and family, discovering waterfalls is a popular pastime in Tennessee, with over 500 to explore on the Cumberland Plateau and in the mountains of East Tennessee. The journey provides a glimpse of unique plants and animals in the moist, protected gorges. Virgin Falls, south of Cookeville, is a hidden treasure – a 9-mile round-trip hike with several waterfalls enroute to the steepest drop, where the falls plunge into one cave and emerge from another. Of course, Fall Creek Falls is the state’s highest at 256 feet and a sight to behold. Grotto Falls, a moderate hike in the shadow of Mount LeConte, is the only waterfall in the Smokies you can stand behind.

Great Smoky Mountains National Park, known for its mountains, streams, waterfalls and biodiversity, is the most visited national park in the country. Bike the 11-mile loop at Cades Cove, full of historic settlers’ farm sites tucked away in the forest on hiking trails like Porters Creek, a 4-mile roundtrip wooded hike that passes waterfalls, streams, spring wildflowers and crosses a single log footbridge. The park boasts an amazing 20,000-plus species of plants and animals, including more than 1,500 black bears. At 6,643 feet, Kuwohi is the highest point in Tennessee. On clear days, views expand more than 100 miles and into seven states. 

For a more secluded mountain view, prepare for a challenging bushwhack on remote Mount Guyot (6,621 feet), the fourth-highest summit in the eastern United States. Or, take the path more traveled and complete one of the 5 Mount Leconte (6,593 feet) hikes, where you’ll want to stop at Arch Rock (a cave-like section with natural AC), Inspiration Point and the Fraser Fir zone.

Fire Towers in Tennessee

Fire towers in East Tennessee provide unparalleled views of the surrounding area. The rebuilt Pinnacle Fire Tower on Buffalo Mountain near the town of Unicoi offers stunning 360-degree views of the region’s highest peaks in Northeast Tennessee. At 3,520 feet, the fire tower has been sentinel of the forest for 75 years. Other towers worth the climb include Kuwohi – the most-visited tower in the Smoky Mountains – Bays Mountain, Mount Cammerer, Look Rock and Bluff Mountain, to name just a few.

Nickajack Cave Wildlife Refuge - South Pittsburg

Explore Nickajack Cave, a partially flooded grotto which houses thousands of gray bats during the summer months. Gray bats are on the endangered species list and are one of more than a dozen species of bats in Tennessee. During their stay at Nickajack Cave from April to October, an estimated 100,000 bats emerge every evening to feed on insects and other bugs. Book a guided canoe or paddleboard trip to Nickajack Cave at dusk to watch the bats exit the cave to start their nightly feeding. If paddling the lake isn’t your thing, a 1,000-ft boardwalk leads from the Maple View Area to an observation platform where you can view the bats exiting cave entrance.

Hiking Trails in Tennessee

Tennessee is an outdoor paradise for those seeking wildlife wonders, offering hiking trails in state parks and natural areas from the Mississippi floodplains to the Appalachian Mountains. Join one of five annual ranger-led hikes in a state park or celebrate Natural Areas Week each April, when you can explore ecologically significant areas. Discover rare plants and animals on guided hikes and tours across the state. Take a kid-friendly walk at West Tennessee’s Big Cypress Tree State Park or marvel at the steep slopes of Devil’s Backbone in Lewis County, Stone Door in Savage Gulf State Park – and lots of other places in between.

Conasauga River

Tennessee offers a unique activity to best experience the incredibly biodiverse Conasauga River - freshwater river snorkeling. Located in Ocoee on the Conasauga River near the Tennessee-Georgia line, there is a pool known as the Conasauga Snorkel Hole where several thousand fish will be present on any given day. For snorkeling, all that is needed is a swimsuit, snorkel and mask. Other useful items to take with you include water shoes, dry towels and a wetsuit depending on water temperature (summer months are the best time to snorkel; during fall, winter and spring months, the water can be cold and will require a wetsuit).

Reelfoot Lake State Park - Tiptonville

Reelfoot Lake State Park is a beautiful 15,000-acre lake created by a series of earthquakes in the early-1800s that caused the Mississippi River to flow backward. The park's ecosystem is a flooded forest with numerous sunken Cypress trees that rise above the water. The lake is also home to golden and American bald eagles. During January and February, Reelfoot Lake is home to thousands of American bald eagles. Experienced park naturalists lead daily bald eagle and waterfowl tours in January and February with the annual Reelfoot Eagle Festival in February being a premiere bird watching opportunity. Deep swamp canoe trips in March and April and scenic pontoon boat tours May-September are offered. Every fall, hundreds of white pelicans stop at the lake on their seasonal migration.

Lower Hatchie National Wildlife Rescue

The 17-mile Lower Hatchie National Wildlife Refuge is home to a diverse and largely intact ecosystem. Waterfowl and white-tailed deer are common sights, and you may even spy birds like Cerulean or Swainson's Warblers. In addition to phenomenal hiking and birdwatching, the site also offers fishing and hunting.

The Davies Manor Historic Site in Bartlett is a popular destination for history buffs, but it also features an official Backyard Wildlife Habitat. The site has several gardens and an arboretum walking trail you can explore on your own, along with the historic outbuildings on the property. 

Fort Pillow State Historic Park - Henning

Another site rich with history, Fort Pillow State Historic Park covers 1,600 acres on the first Chickasaw Bluff. Steep bluffs overlooking the Mississippi River made this area a strategic location during the Civil War. In addition to the artifact museum and reconstructed Fort, the park offers over 20 miles of hiking trails, many that follow the site’s earthwork fortifications, boating, paddling and fishing.

Lookout Mountain - Chattanooga

Have the urge to take to the skies? Glide over the valley with panoramic views that will take your breath away. Head to Lookout Mountain, where adventure seekers go to hang glide. Exceptional wind currents, easy drop-offs from atop the mountain and area flight schools can help you spread your wings. 

Tennessee Tree Toppers - Dunlap

More experienced gliders can take to the skies at Tennessee Tree Toppers in Dunlap, the "Hang Gliding Capital of the East." Take in scenic views of the Sequatchie Valley while gliding through a 25-year-old local tradition. Alternatively, if you want to tandem skydive, you can feel as free as a bird with Skydive Tennessee in Tullahoma, Music City Skydiving in Waverly or Chattanooga Skydiving Company just to name a few.

Ever wonder what it feels like to fly? Soar through forests on the many ziplines throughout the state. Sevierville’s Foxfire Mountain Adventure Park has the Goliath, said to be the highest, longest and fastest zipline in the Smokies. Choose between 8 thrilling ziplines and 3 sky bridges at Ocoee Ziplines. Navitat aerial adventure park in Knoxville offers a thrilling, family-friendly experience on 6 adventure trails. Each trail has ziplines, bridges, swings, and nets. For an added thrill, experience Navitat at Night. You can play in the treetops under a blanket of stars, which is a unique adventure you won't want to miss. Additional zip line courses can be found at AdventureWorks in Kingston Springs and Pigeon Forge; Ocoee Ziplines and Canopy Tour in Copperhill; and Go Ape Zipline & Adventure Park at Shelby Farms Park in Memphis.

Outdoor Gravity Park - Pigeon Forge

For the thrill-seeker who’s seen it all, try zorbing. Invented in New Zealand, the “sport” of rolling down a hill in a giant plastic orb has made its way to Pigeon Forge and can be done on three tracks at the Outdoor Gravity Park. Go wet or dry; alone or with friends, zigzag slowly or shoot full speed down the park’s 1,000-foot hill. Bonus: The tracks are in the picturesque foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains.

Discover even more outdoor adventures in Tennessee on your next vacation.