31 Best Smoky Mountain Tours for Unforgettable Experiences
There are so many fantastic things to do in the Smoky Mountains region that Smoky Mountain tours are a great place to start!
East Tennessee has so many renowned, must-see destinations — the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Dollywood, the Gatlinburg SkyLift Park with the longest pedestrian suspension bridge in North America, and Anakeesta where you can ride a mountain coaster and zip line through the treetops.
Also, there are plenty of popular Appalachian activities, including off-roading in an ATV or Jeep, fishing, horseback riding, zip lining, hiking, whitewater rafting, and so much more!
To get the most out of your Smokies vacation, take a tour (or two, or three). There’s an abundance of Smoky Mountain tours available, many of which include all of the aforementioned activities and destinations so that you can have an unforgettable time in the Appalachians!
Jayell Ranch
1131 Jayell Rd, Sevierville, TN 37862
Jayell Ranch offers several kinds of adventurous tours, including horseback rides, ATV and UTV rides, and zip line tours. The mudslinging, off-road ATV tour is 12 miles long and features views of the Smokies.
Then, zip down one of the longest zip lines of all the Smoky Mountain tours — a 2-mile route through the canopy. And, the 4-mile tour on horseback leads through scenic areas with views of Shields Mountain Fort, Mount Le Conte, and more.
Foxfire Mountain Adventure Park
3757 Thomas Ln, Sevierville, TN 37876
Foxfire Mountain offers a variety of guided and self-guided Smoky Mountain tours.
The Waterfall Canopy Zipline Tour features two sky bridges, seven zip lines, and aerial views of the creek and lost mine waterfall. The Goliath Zipline Tour is not for the faint of heart because it’s one of the fastest in the United States and reaches speeds of up to 60 mph!
Other tours include the ATV tour, which follows rugged and winding off-road trails, as well as self-guided tours along hiking paths and a swinging bridge.
Pink Jeep Tours
2611 Parkway, Pigeon Forge, TN 37863
Tour through the heart of the Smoky Mountains in an open-air pink Jeep Wrangler. These adventurous Smoky Mountain tours are led by certified guides and will not only provide gorgeous sights, but you’ll also learn about the history of the area and see hidden gems!
There are several Pink Jeep Tours of various locations, some of which are seasonal. Choose from the Pigeon Forge Christmas Lights Tour, Foothills Parkway Smoky Mountains Tour, and more.
Smoky Mountain Adventure Tours
4663 Hooper Hwy, Cosby, TN 37722
Enjoy four-wheeling in the Smokies on these about two-hour, guided UTV tours on the outskirts of Gatlinburg. You’ll see sweeping mountain vistas, forested hills, woodlands, and more as you tour the area from the seat of a Polaris UTV.
The Smoky Mountain Angler
469 Brookside Village Way, Gatlinburg, TN 37738
If you’re new to fishing, one of Smoky Mountain Angler’s guided fishing trips will teach you a lot and provide a great experience. These trips offer guided half and full-day float trips and wade trips.
The half-day trips last about four hours, while the full-day trips are nearly eight hours. Get ready to take home a good amount of trout and bass!
Smoky Mountain Guides
Sevierville, TN
Smoky Mountain Guides is one of the most popular Smoky Mountain tour services in the area. It offers a wide array of tours, including:
- Guided day hikes
- Guided backpacking trips
- Small group day tours
- Guided fly fishing
- Flatwater kayak tours
- Synchronized lightning bug experiences
The day-hike trips are some of the best. Hike in gorgeous scenery with incredible vistas in areas like Kuwohi (formerly known as Clingmans Dome), Grotto Falls, and the Appalachian Waterfalls.
Fontana Village Resort & Marina
300 Woods Rd, Fontana Dam, NC 28733
Tour Fontana Lake by taking a relaxing cruise on the water via a pontoon boat. Both afternoon and sunset lake cruises meander along the scenic Hazel Creek and Eagle waterways. Watching the sunset under the mountains is a beautiful experience.
The resort also offers guided hikes just outside the Great Smoky Mountains National Park!
Big Rock Dude Ranch
909 Little Cove Rd, Pigeon Forge, TN 37863
These Smoky Mountain tours on horseback will take you up into the mountains surrounding Pigeon Forge! Experience the hills and valleys like the settlers did as they first explored the Smokies.
When your horseback tour is over, the Ranch also has family-friendly outdoor activities, including gem mining, fishing, a petting zoo, a picnic area, and a General Store.
Smoky Mountains Jeep Tours
2826 Parkway, Pigeon Forge, TN 37863
Wander through the Smokies either through the treetops or from the back of a Jeep!
The family and group-friendly Jeep tours in a custom vehicle are held in several scenic destinations, including Foothills Parkway, Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail, and Newfound Gap. It has a seasonal Winterfest Scenic Evening Tour of holiday lights too.
And, the Wahoo Ziplines feature a couple of miles of cables that glide you through forests at varying heights — 40 to 250 feet above the ground.
Tennessee Mountain Tours
Pigeon Forge, TN
Tennessee Mountain Tours provides scenic, educational, and unique Smoky Mountain tours for unforgettable experiences. One of its most popular is the Moonshine and Wine Tour, during which you enjoy tastings at four wineries, three moonshine distilleries, and a cider mill.
Other tours include the seasonal holiday Tour of Lights, Vittles and Views, Sights of the Smokies, Cades Cove, and the Trees of Many Colors Tour.
A Walk in the Woods
4413 E Scenic Dr, Gatlinburg, TN 37738
This locally owned and operated company has been providing visitors with Smoky Mountain tours for over 20 years. It offers a large array of tours, including:
- Guided walking tours and hikes
- Guided backpacking trips
- Automobile tours
- Step-on tours (if you have your own bus to use)
- Shuttles driven by experienced drivers
All tours are led by expert guides with knowledge of the Smokies’ wildlife, botany, history, culture, and geology, leaving you with a well-rounded experience.
River Rat Whitewater Rafting
3630 Hartford Rd, Hartford, TN 37753
205 Wears Valley Rd, Townsend, TN 37882
Adventurous families and groups can enjoy thrilling, guided whitewater rafting trips that run between the Cherokee National Forest and the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Rafting trips can also include swimming, rock jumping, surfing, and sliding too!
This Smoky Mountain tour company is open seasonally from March through Labor Day each year.
Rip Roaring Adventures
3555 Wheat Way, Hartford, TN 37753
This family-owned and operated company leads whitewater rafting trips in the Cherokee State Forest and the Smokies for groups of all challenge levels — ages 3 and up!
Trips down the Pigeon River are thrilling yet safe and informative, led by excellent and experienced tour guides. One of the most popular rafting tours available is the Scenic Family Float.
Rip Roaring Adventures in 2021 was voted the #1 Family-Friendly Experience in the World by Travelers’ Choice.
Gratitude Hikes
9275 Tremont Rd, Townsend, TN 37882
Experience the Smokies on a private hiking tour led by experienced guide Scott Colby. Group hiking tours meet at the Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont and continue on from there to explore the beautiful nature leading up to a waterfall.
These hiking tours are “unplugged,” helping participants stay present in the moment while they wander through the Smokies. The three-hour guided hike is suitable for all levels of hikers.
Smoky Mountain Helicopters
Multiple locations
Tour the Smokies by helicopter! Since 1964, this long-running company has been providing scenic helicopter tours of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and surrounding areas. Various helicopter tour packages are available, and private tours can be arranged.
This Smoky Mountain tour company has three convenient locations to choose from — two in Sevierville Tennessee and one in Cherokee North Carolina.
Scenic Helicopter Tours
Multiple locations
See the Great Smoky Mountains from above with Scenic Helicopter Tours. This Smoky Mountain tour company is family-run, has experienced and professional staff, and offers both FAA and National Park Service-approved flights.
You’re bound to have a great experience because the company has hundreds of five-star Tripadvisor and Google reviews. In 2022, it was named in the top 10% of attractions worldwide by Travelers’ Choice.
On top of that, the company offers private, on-demand helicopter charters for those requesting transportation within 200 nautical miles of Knoxville Tennessee.
Scenic Helicopter Tours has two locations — a ticket office in Pigeon Forge with a heliport in Sevierville and another location in Fletcher North Carolina.
Rocky Top Wine Trail
Multiple locations
Sip and tour through five of the top local wineries in Pigeon Forge Tennessee! The Rocky Top Wine Trail has more than 75 fabulous wines that you can sample.
Just stop by one of the participating wineries, pick up a “passport,” and have your passport stamped at each winery. After visiting at least three locations, you’ll receive a complimentary souvenir wine glass!
In addition, VIP wine shuttle tours are available and transport you to Mountain Valley Winery, Hillside Winery, and Mill Bridge Winery.
Smoky Mountain Llama Treks
640 Padgett Mill Rd, Cosby, TN 37722
Did you know that you could hike with llamas through the Smokies!? Explore forested mountains and woodland trails on these guided hikes with your own personal trail buddy — an adorable, trained llama.
These treks are great for visitors of all ages! Have fun walking a llama through the woods while you connect with the animals and the fantastic nature that the Smoky Mountains region provides.
After your tour, head back to the llama farm to enjoy spending quality time with the animals, feeding them, and more.
The Redneck Comedy Bus Tour
2530 Parkway, Pigeon Forge, TN 37863
This unique Smoky Mountain tour will have you laughing your way through the Smokies.
Take a bus ride with some “redneck” comedians who will tell you all about mullets, camouflage, moonshine, and whether you could make it as a hillbilly — all while touring the mountains and woodlands. The Pigeon Forge Redneck Tour meets at Lumberjack Square (Paula Deen’s Lumberjack Feud).
The Redneck Comedy Bus Tour also has a seasonal Smoky Mountain Christmas Light Ride. You can even book private Smoky Mountain tours for your group!
Gatlinburg Comedy Tours
651 Parkway #107, Gatlinburg, TN 337738
In need of some more laughs? You’ll love these comedy walking tours that begin in downtown Gatlinburg. There are a couple of tours available, including Family-Friendly Tours, 21+ Comedy Tours, and private group tours.
The Family-Friendly Tours highlight popular Gatlinburg destinations, hidden gems, and interesting facts. You’ll get to try local hot sauce, discover a great doughnut shop, and more! The 21+ Comedy Tours feature all of the above with an emphasis on destinations that cater to adults.
My Bigfoot Adventure
Multiple locations
You can’t go to the Smokies without hunting for Bigfoot! These unique Smoky Mountain tours provide fantastic scenery and education about local history — including the legendary sasquatch, of course. The tours can accommodate private groups of up to 14 people on the shuttle bus.
Also, the company offers seasonal and special tours, such as The Santa Bus during the holiday season and Valentine Wine and Shine tours.
Wildwater Adventures
Multiple locations
Wildwater Adventures is a one-stop tour destination! It offers a variety of tours that are perfect for thrill-seekers, including Jeep tours — even one that starts with a train ride to get to your Jeep — zip line canopy tours, whitewater rafting, and even cabin and yurt lodging for extended trips.
Wildwater Adventure has four locations around the Smokies — Ducktown and Hartford Tennessee and Asheville and Bryson City North Carolina.
Wildwater was the first outfitter to begin commercial rafting down the Chattooga River!
Rocky Top Tours
2828 Parkway # 20, Pigeon Forge, TN 37863
This Smoky Mountain tour company will provide comfortable, guided tours from its mini-coach buses. The tours are suitable for visitors of all ages.
And, the guides stop by top local destinations, show you fantastic scenery and vistas, and educate you on the local region’s flora and fauna, history, and more. You may even see wildlife, like turkeys, deer, bears, raccoons, and more!
There are several tour options available, including Historical Cades Cove, Dolly’s Rags to Riches, the Smoky Mountains Special Tour, and Foothills Parkway.
Gatlinburg Haunts
115 Historic Nature Trail, Gatlinburg, TN 37738
Meet the ghosts of the Great Smoky Mountains! This eerie tour will take you to eight destinations that each have a uniquely dark past. The locations are on the Gatlinburg Strip, which is known for frequent reports of paranormal activity.
Learn about the haunting history and mysteries of the area — tales of witchcraft, feuds, ancient Celtic traditions, and even cannibals. This spooky tour starts at The Gatlinburg Space Needle.
Tours by Stella
Gatlinburg, TN
These guided hikes, walking tours, and motor coach step-on guided tours are led by Stella, who has more than 20 years of experience in both travel and tourism.
Enjoy an unplugged respite in nature away from the stresses of daily life as you hike for a couple of miles while connecting with the beauty and wonder of the Smokies.
There are 2.5-hour and 3.5-hour hiking tours available, both at fairly easy difficulty levels. Stella’s step-on tours are perfect for private bus groups who want to learn more about the history of the region.
Smoky Mountain Tour Connection
2539 McGill St, Pigeon Forge, TN 37863
Smoky Mountain Tour Connection has been a well-known, reputable, and professional Smokies motor coach and step-on tour company since 1977.
It offers multiple tours with varying lengths of three to eight hours. Travel through the picturesque Newfound Gap. See the historic churches in Sevier County. Take a trip to Laurel Falls, Kuwohi (formerly known as Clingmans Dome), Cades Cove, the “Secret City,” and more.
Other special tours include the seasonal Winterfest Lights, Mountain Music and Storytelling, One-Way Cherokee Adventure, and One-Way America’s First Frontier tours.
Smoky Mountain Ebike Adventures
8205 TN-73 Unit #2, Townsend, TN 37882
849 Glades Rd Suite 2B1, Gatlinburg, TN 37738
Tour the heart of the Smoky Mountains from the seat of an e-bike! The Little River electric bike ride tour lasts about two hours and begins at the Townsend location, where bikers of all levels will receive training prior to the tour.
Participants are then shuttled to Coulter Bridge in Walland to begin the easy and comfortable e-bike ride down scenic backcountry roads along the river. You will even get ice cream or coffee along the way!
Smoky Mountain Touring
Nashville, TN
Hit the open road for a long journey on a motorcycle on a one or three-day tour.
You’ll travel on lesser-known byways and some well-known scenic routes as you circle from Nashville through Tennessee to Georgia, up along the borders of North and South Carolina toward Virginia, west through Kentucky, and eventually, back to where your journey began.
Some stops along the way on this Smoky Mountain tour include the historic Jack Daniel’s Distillery, the idyllic Blue Ridge Parkway, mountain tunnels, waterfalls, and more.
Smoky Mountain Ziplines
509 Mill Creek Rd, Pigeon Forge, TN 37863
Smoky Mountain Ziplines offers zip line and canopy tours on more than 4,200 feet of combined cable! It’s the longest, continuously operating canopy tour company within Pigeon Forge and the surrounding area.
Professionally trained guides will lead you through the sky at up to 25 mph on your choice of seven cable tracks. Expect to fly across lengths of 800 feet at over 150 feet above the ground!
Guides will remain with you throughout the entirety of the experience and help you, making it a great choice for those who are new to zip lining.
Wildland Trekking
Multiple locations
Wildland Trekking offers guided trips in many worldwide destinations. Its Smoky Mountain tours include guided day hikes, backpacking trips, kayaking tours (“paddle and hike” tours), multi-day hiking tours with inn stays, women’s adventure trips, portered treks, and family-friendly guided trips.
You don’t want to miss the Smokies fall foliage tours, during which you’ll see how beautiful the Smokies are in autumn. Usually, the tours begin from several locations in Asheville North Carolina depending on your chosen adventure.
FAQs About Smoky Mountain Tours
Do you need to reserve a Smoky Mountain tour in advance?
Many Smoky Mountain tour services require an advance reservation, but two that don’t require reservations are Jayell Ranch and Big Rock Dude Ranch.
What if I’d rather take a self-guided tour of the Smokies?
The Great Smoky Mountains National Park has a comprehensive list of beautiful areas and scenic roads within the park for driving tours, including Cades Cove Loop Road, Cataloochee Valley, Foothills Parkway, Newfound Gap Road, and more!
Detailed auto tour booklets are available to purchase at park visitor centers and online.
Are Smoky Mountain tours family friendly?
Many of the tours of the Smokies are family friendly. But, it depends on the type of tour and the age of your family members.
Some tour experiences — like zip lining, backpacking, and horseback rides — may not be suitable for young children.
Choose Your Smoky Mountains Tours & Adventures
Taking these Smoky Mountain tours will only enhance your trip as expert guides lead you through the heart of Appalachia!
Whether you zip line through the canopy, go off-roading on an ATV, hike through the woodlands, catch bass at Fontana Lake, or laugh on a comedy tour through the Smokies, you’re bound to have a fun and memorable experience on these Smoky Mountain tours.
