Parks and Recreation

In addition to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, you will find that this area is home to national forests and more! 

Download a trail map for the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, local waterfalls and hiking trails.

National Parks & Attractions

• Great Smoky Mountains National Park  
• Cherokee National Forest
• Appalachian Trail
• Blue Ridge Parkway
• Big South Fork- National River & Recreation Area

Water Falls   

• Laurel Fall
• Grotto Falls
• Chasteen Creek Falls
• Indian Creek Falls
• Henwallow Falls
• Abrams Falls
• Ramsey Cascades
• Rainbow Falls

Hiking Trails   

• Alum Cave Trail
• Abrams Falls Trail
• Charlies Bunion
• Andrews Bald/Forney Ridge
• Rainbow Falls Trail
• Gregory Bald Trail
• Ramsey Cascades Trail
• Laurel Falls Trail

Boating/Fishing 

• Cherokee Lake
• Douglas Lake
• Norris Lake
• Tellico Lake
• French Broad River
• Tennessee River
• Fontana Lake

Outdoor Adventures

The Smoky Mountains are home to some of the finest outdoor activities in the nation. You'll find almost every adventure sports imaginable in the mountains of East Tennessee, no matter what time of year you're visiting! 

Hiking  download trail map

Fishing Smokies Angling Adventures — PHONE: (865) 933-3140. Appleview's preferred guide service.

Horseback Riding Five Oaks Riding Stables — PHONE (865) 453-8644. Adjacent to the resort.

Mountain Biking 

Bicycles can travel on most roads within the park. However, due to steep terrain, narrow road surfaces, and heavy automobile traffic, many park roads are not well suited for safe and enjoyable bicycle riding.

Cades Cove Loop Road is an exception. The 11-mile one way road, is a popular bicycling area. It provides bicyclists with excellent opportunities for wildlife viewing and touring 19th century homesites. During summer and fall, bicycles may be rented at the Cades Cove store (located near Cades Cove Campground). For information call (865) 448-9034. Beginning the second week in May, the loop road is closed to motor vehicle traffic Wednesday and Saturday mornings until 10:00 a.m. to allow bicyclists and pedestrians to enjoy the cove. This closure continues through the second-to-last Saturday in September.

Other areas suitable for bicyclists include Greenbrier and Tremont roads in Tennessee, and Lakeview Drive, and Cataloochee Valley in North Carolina. Cyclists may also traverse unfinished portions of the Foothills Parkway in Tennessee.

Safety is always a major concern where cars and bicycles must share the road. The State of Tennessee requires that children age 16 and under wear a helmet. We strongly recommend that all riders wear helmets, use rear view mirrors, and ride properly fitted and well-maintained bicycles. Please obey all traffic regulations.

The Gatlinburg Trail, the Oconaluftee River Trail, and the lower Deep Creek Trail are the only park trails on which bicycles are allowed. Bicycles are prohibited on all other park trails.

Mountain biking trails are open on national forest and recreation lands outside Great Smoky Mountains National Park. For information on mountain biking in these areas, please contact the following offices:

• Chattahoochee National Forest (770) 297-3000
• Cherokee National Forest (423) 476-9700
• Nantahala National Forest (828) 257-4200
• Pisgah National Forest (828) 257-4200
• Big South Fork National River & Recreation Area (423) 286-7275
• Mount Rogers National Recreation Area (800) 628-7207

The Tsali Recreation Area in Nantahala National Forest (listed above), and the trail network along Norris lake, are popular mountain biking destinations.

Skiing & Snowboarding 

Ski season in the Southern Appalachians typically begins around Thanksgiving Day and can run as late as mid-March.

• Gatlinburg, TN
• Ski Beech, NC
• Sugar Mountain, NC
• Cataloochee, NC
• Hawksnest, NC
• Wolf Laurel, NC

White Water Rafting/Canoeing/Kayaking  

Bring your own kayak and paddle the on-site river or visit Rapid Expeditions Smoky Mountain Whitewater Rafting & Kayaking — there expert guides will take you on an amazing raft ride down the Pigeon River in the heart of the Smoky Mountains of East Tennessee. East Tennessee Rafting in the Smokies. Rapid Expeditions will also bring kayaks to Appleview Resort for one on one instruction and guided kayak tours on the Little Pigeon River

Other Outdoor Adventure Options:

• Sky Diving
• Helicopter Rides
• Bungee Jumping
• Rock Climbing
• Tubing
• Go Carts
• Hot Air Balloons