Great Smoky Mountains, Tennessee

The Wayah Bald Lookout Tower is located in Nantahala National Forest in one of the oldest part of the protected land. It was first built in the 1920s then it was rebuilt throughout the years until it was finally made out of stone and concrete. The current tower that stands offers great views of t...

8:30 a.m. and we’re winding our way down Highway 129 near Robbinsville, NC. The fog is still thick over the Little Tennessee River as we slow down crossing the bridge into Graham County. “I think we missed it,” I say as we continue onward. Within minutes the Tapoco Lodge comes into view. My pre-h...

Judaculla was an ancient Cherokee spirit being and giant. He ruled in western North Carolina in the traditional Cherokee homeland. Once while chasing some hunters, when he jumped to the ground, his hand hit a rock. You can still see the print on Judaculla Rock. It is the most elaborate piece of r...

This park is located in south Knoxville. The wildlife management area is very popular in the sunflower season. This area offers many activities including biking, hiking and photography. There are several trails that run through the area but some of them are closed in hunting season so make sure t...

The Appalachian Trail does not need a lot of hype beyond its existing legendary status.  However, there are certain parts of it that do stand out as being a little extra special.  Siler Bald is one of those spots.  A large clearing starting from Snowbird Gap and going all the way up to Siler Bald...

This quarry is located near the Ijams Nature Center in South Knoxville. The quarry is right off of Island Home rd and has a large parking lot. The parking lot has about 30 spaces and about 50 spaces in overflow parking. There is a lot activities to do at the quarry. In the summer there is kayak a...

This trail is located at the Ijams Nature Center. Ijams Nature Center is only 10 minutes from downtown Knoxville and is a great place to escape city life and enjoy the outdoors. The parking lot here is quite large and in the busy season it has an overflow lot too. Ijams Nature Center has many hik...

The trailhead to this hike is easy to find but the gps is hard to match so it might try to take you through the middle of the trees but its easy to follow the road. The best way to get here is to go off of I-40 at the Harmon Den exit and then go up the road towards Max Patch. To get to the trailh...

This greenway starts at the Island Home Park and goes through Ijams Nature Center and the Forks of the River Wildlife Management Area. The trail is almost 4 miles one way so it makes for a great half day trip. From start to finish it is 8 miles long. The trail is mostly paved with only a small bi...

This park is located in south Knoxville right off of Cherokee trail road. The parking lot is very large and can accommodate 15-20 cars. The park is home to the historic Fort Higley which was a Civil War fort built by the Union to protect Knoxville.  This is a great place to walk or run through t...

The Slab and Eternity hole, located on the East Fork of the Tuckasegee River, are two of Western, NC's best play spots for kayakers of all levels. Paddle down only yards from the public boat launch to The Slab where you can perfect your surfing in kayak, SUP, or whatever boat you float. A few hun...

This is an amazing gem in south Knoxville only 7 minutes away from Gay Street. This is one of the newest parks in Knoxville but it has been a part of Knoxville for centuries. The quarry is a gorgeous place for swimming and kayaking. This park offers numerous outdoor activities all in a great plac...

Winding Stair Gap on Highway 64 is the starting point for this spectacular backpacking trip through the Nantahala National Forest. It's right outside the hiker friendly town of Franklin, NC, so the town is your last chance for a hot meal and any last minute supplies. There is a parking lot at the...

Huckleberry Knob is the highest point in the Cheoah Ranger District at 5,560 feet, and it offers expansive views of the surrounding Cherokee and Natahala National Forest. The hike is 2.4 miles roundtrip and begins at the parking lot between mile 8 and 9 up an old dirt road. You will go up the di...

Max Patch Mountain was once cleared for pasture land, leaving an expansive flat summit that now serves as the ideal location for a picnic hike, flying a kite, or laying in the sun surrounded by the Great Smoky Mountains. With little elevation gain and a short distance it is also very family (and ...

This is an awesome hike if you're up for a challenge! The hike in isn't bad at all and the trail itself isn't super long but the climb back out will be a little more difficult due to the rock steps and lengthy uphill. This hike starts from a parking lot, just across the road from Lake Glenville a...