Have an Extreme Vacation in Tennessee

Featured in this Article:

Rock Climbing
Cycling, Off-Roading and Motorcycle Trails
In the Sky
 

Feeling chalk on your hands along the rough surfaces as you climb rocky crags. Hills and mountains meeting your gaze as you cruise on a Harley or take a slower pace on a mountain bike. Heart pounding in your ears as you leap from a plane to get a bird's eye view of Tennessee's autumn colors. It's an extreme fall vacation. Made in Tennessee.

Climbers love Kings Bluff in Clarksville. The limestone crag has over 160 routes traversing the Cumberland River on 1,673 linear feet of cliff. The sport climbing area has routes ranging from 5.3 to 5.13, perfect to test and sharpen your skills. 

• Parking: Park in the cul-de-sac at the trailhead after driving through the dates of several businesses; be sure not to park in the business spaces. You will need a gate code for access, which can be obtained by submitting a form on the Southeastern Climbers Coalition website. 

• Peak Times: weekends and pleasant weather days will naturally see more climbers. 

• Seasonal Events: Southeastern Climbers Coalition will occasionally host clean-up events or climbing clinics; check out their website for announcements. 

• Accessibility: climbing area itself involves navigating natural terrain and cliffs, which is not ADA accessible.

Rock climbing near Knoxville

Knoxville is a perfect hub for climbers who will find more than 5,000 different routes within a three-hour drive of the city. Let Outdoor Knoxville be your guide to those routes which can be found in Tennessee natural gems like Big South Fork National River & Recreation Area, Devil's Racetrack, Black Mountain, and Ijams Crag to name a few. Head to Obed Wild & Scenic River's Lilly Boulders that are perfect for bouldering.

• Parking: limited parking is often available at these locations across Knoxville; carpooling is encouraged due to the limited options. 

• Peak Times: weekends during the spring and fall are busiest; weekdays offer a more relaxed climbing environment.

• Seasonal Events: many locations offers various outdoor programs and events throughout the year; check their individual calendars for more information. 

• Accessibility: The trails to the crags and climbing areas involve natural terrain and aren't specifically designed for ADA accessibility.  

Rock climbing near Chattanooga

Chattanooga is known nationwide for the miles of sandstone bluffs, crags and boulders that range in difficulty. Outdoor Chattanooga offers the equipment and insight into climbing and bouldering areas like the Tennessee Wall, Sunset Rock, Foster Falls, The Stone Fort, and Walnut Wall.  

• Parking: Varies depending on specific climbing area; many will have designated free parking at the trailheads of access points. Be sure to research your specific climbing area before visiting.

• Peak Times: Fall and spring are prime climbing seasons due to cooler temperatures, so expect more climbers during those times and on weekends. 

• Seasonal Events: Chattanooga has a vibrant climbing community that often hosts festivals, clinics, and clean-up events. Check with local climbing gyms (like High Point Climbing) and outdoor retailers for event schedules. 

• Accessibility: access to outdoor climbing areas typically involves hiking on unpaved, uneven and steep trails, making them not generally ADA accessible. Bouldering can sometimes be more accessible as it requires less gear, but still involved natural rock formations. 

Rev up an all-terrain vehicle in Huntsville, Tennessee to explore more than 19,196 acres of Brimstone Recreation. More than 300 miles of OHV trails and roads lead to overlooks and explorative points of interest. Other activities include kayaking, fishing and hunting. Enjoy the beauty of the surrounding Appalachian Mountains in this adventure wonderland.

• Parking: Ample parking is available at the main building and various trailheads around the property. Keep in mind that a permit is required for all riders and vehicles. 

• Peak Times: Weekends and major holiday weekends (especially those tied to their large events) are extremely popular and can be very crowded. Weekdays offer a more open trail experience. 

• Seasonal Events: Brimstone is famous for its large-scale events, including Brimstone Paragon (spring), White Knuckle Event (summer), and Camp & Ride (fall) which draw thousands of off-road enthusiasts. Check their website for the most up-to-date event calendar. 

• Accessibility: Access around the park will depend on your vehicle's capabilities and your off-road experience. Some areas require highly specialized vehicles paired with highly skilled drivers while other areas are more easily accessible by beginners with less specialized vehicles. 

Carve the Cumberland Motorcycle Routes - Cookeville

Hug the curves of the 14-county Upper Cumberland region of Tennessee through the Carve the Cumberland guide which outlines 12 different motorcycle routes filled with tree-lined curves, hills, waterfalls, and rural attractions. Routes range from 77 miles to a more extensive 184 miles.

• Parking: Cookeville serves as a great hub; riders can find ample parking at hotels, local businesses, and designated motorcycle parking spots around town. 

• Peak Times: Spring and fall offer ideal riding weather with vibrant foliage making these the most popular times. 

• Seasonal Events: The Upper Cumberland region hosts motorcycle rallies and events throughout the year. 

• Accessibility: Riders should be experienced and comfortable with winding, sometimes remote, roads. 

Southern Dozen Motorcycle Rides

Adventurous motorcyclists will love the Southern Dozen Motorcycle Routes. Follow the roads for banked turns, roller-coaster dips and clear mountain air. Choose from 12 motorcycle rides that begin and end in Johnson City. You'll discover historic places, famous music venues. rare caverns, wolf habitats and so much more.

• Parking: Johnson City offers numerous hotels and downtown parking options for motorcyclists. Specific route starting points may have roadside parking or designated areas. 

• Peak Times: Spring and fall are primetime riding seasons and weekends will generally see more riders. 

• Seasonal Events: Johnson City and the surrounding Northeast Tennessee region will host motorcycle events and rallies.

• Accessibility: Riders must be licensed and capable of operating a motorcycle safely on varied terrain, including winding mountain roads. 

Meeman-Shelby State Park - Millington

West Tennessee helps cyclists enjoy the crisp fall air while taking in the autumn colors. Check out Meeman-Shelby Forest State Park with its five-mile intermediate trail. You'll experience pavement, switchbacks and turns with some elevation gain as you weave through the forest's colorful palette.

• Parking: various free parking lots are available throughout the park at trailheads and recreational areas. 

• Peak Times: weekends, particular on days with nice weather, will be most popular. Early mornings on weekdays are ideal for a more serene ride. 

• Seasonal Events: Check the park's calendar for 2025 events. 

• Accessibility: paved roads within the park offer accessibility for road cycling; mountain biking trails are natural and uneven, so specific equipment and physical capabilities are required. 

Shelby Farms Park - Memphis

Shelby Farms Park offers a variety of trails for cyclists. Hop on the 10.85-mile Shelby Farm Greenline that runs from the Park to Memphis' Midtown area. Have some quiet time among the pine and hardwood forest areas of the 2.75-mile Chickasaw Trail. Challenge yourself on the mountain biking Tour De Wolf which leads you past hidden lakes and wildlife viewing areas.

• Parking: Numerous free parking lots are available throughout the park

• Peak Times: Weekends are very popular for all park activities, including cycling. Early mornings are generally quieter. 

• Seasonal Events: Shelby Farms park hosts a variety of events throughout the year, from marathons and cycling races to community festivals. Check out their website for a 2025 event schedule. Bike rentals are available year-round. 

• Accessibility: The Greenline at Shelby Farms Park is paved and an accessible trail for road bike, adaptive bikes, and handcycles. Many other paved trails are also accessible.  

Whether it's your first skydive or you'd like to enroll in skydiving school, Tennessee provides the means to get a bird's eye view of fall color as you jump from a plane and descend to a soft landing. With expert jumpers of 5-31 years of experience (or more in some cases), you're in safe hands with state-of-the-art skydiving equipment. Suit up with skydiving companies like Sky Dive Tennessee in Tullahoma; Adventure Sky Diving in Nashville; and West Tennessee Sky Diving in Whiteville (40 miles east of Memphis).

• Parking: all listed skydiving operations have dedicated on-site parking at their airfields. 

• Peak Times: Weekends especially during warm months are peak times due to favorable weather. Booking in advance is highly recommended. Morning slots are often preferred for calmer winds. 

• Seasonal Events: Skydiving center host special events, holiday jumps, or progression courses. Check their websites for schedules. 

• Accessibility: skydiving requires participants to be able to exit an aircraft and land safely; while some individuals with disabilities may be able to skydive tandem with specialized equipment and prior arrangement, it is crucial to contact the skydiving company directly to discuss specific needs and requirements. Most companies have weight and age restrictions. 

Flying Camp Paragliding - Dunlap

Soar in Tennessee's skies with Flying Camp Paragliding in Dunlap. Book a tandem paragliding flight for a once-in-a-lifetime view. You can also add on photos and videos to be taken during your flight so you have the memories forever.

• Parking: Parking is available at their home base location in Dunlap. 

• Peak Times: Paragliding is highly weather-dependent, though spring, summer and fall offer the most consistent flying conditions. Bookings are often made day-by-day based on weather forecasts.

• Seasonal Events: Flying Camp Paragliding is active year-round when weather permits; check out their website or social media for events or updates. 

• Accessibility: paragliding involved physical movement to launch and land; individuals must be able to run a short distance and follow pilot instructions. It is recommended to contact Flying Camp Paragliding directly to discuss any specific mobility concerns. 

Scenic Helicopter Tours - Sevierville

Load up into a helicopter for a unique way to see the Great Smoky Mountains with Scenic Helicopter Tours. You can also soar above Pigeon Forge, Gatlinburg, Sevierville and Wears Valley. Book an incredible experience with packages ranging from a beautiful Pigeon Forge Night Flight to the romance packages and even a flight to historic Brushy Mountain State Penitentiary where you can enjoy a 1.5-hour tour, lunch and moonshine tastings. 

• Parking: Scenic Helicopter Tours operates from a dedicated heliport in Sevierville with ample onsite parking.  

• Peak Times: Peak tourism seasons (summer, fall, and holidays) in the Smokies are the busiest. Booking in advance is highly recommended, especially for specific times of day (e.g., sunset tours).

• Seasonal Events: While tours run year-round, fall foliage season offers particularly spectacular views. 

• Accessibility: Passengers must be able to board and disembark the aircraft; seating arrangements and weight distribution are important for helicopter safety. Contact Scenic Helicopter Tours directly to discuss any specific accessibility needs.