6 Best Things to Do in the Smoky Mountains in Summer
Nothing gets better than breathing in the fresh mountain air during the sweet summertime! When you visit the Smoky Mountains during the summer, you’re guaranteed to have the time of your life exploring everything that the area has to offer. Whether you’re coasting down the river on one of our rafting trips or soaring through the trees on a zipline, you’ll be making memories that last a lifetime! Here are the 6 best things to do in the Smoky Mountains this summer:
1. Ziplining
Another great activity during the summer is to go ziplining! Ziplining in the Smoky Mountains allows guests to get a bird’s-eye view of the gorgeous mountain scenery. You’ll have plenty of options for great places to go ziplining, and each adventure includes other fun activities, like aerial bridges and ATV rides! We’ve teamed up with CLIMB Works to offer the ultimate adventure package, so you can save money on both a rafting trip with us and a ziplining adventure with CLIMB Works.
2. Fishing
For a relaxing summer activity, go fishing in the Smokies! The national park has 2,900 miles of streams, all of which are open to fishing. You can fish from sunrise to sunset, and a valid fishing license is required to fish in the park. Many of the picnic areas, including Greenbrier, Deep Creek, and Metcalf Bottoms, offer scenic spots for fishing, swimming, and grilling, so you can spend all day relaxing and having fun. No doubt one of the best Smoky Mountains things to do in summer to stay cool!
3. Hiking
One of the best ways to see all the gorgeous sights of summer in the Smokies is to go for a hike! The Great Smoky Mountains National Park has more than 850 miles of hiking trails for you to explore. During the summer, you can see gorgeous waterfalls, wildflowers, wildlife, and more! The trails range in level of difficulty, so there is something for every skill level, from beginners to experts.
Read More: “Top 5 Trails for Summer Hiking in the Smokies”
4. Horseback Riding
To explore the Smoky Mountains in a different way, go horseback riding! There are great horseback riding opportunities in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. One of the best places that offers horseback riding is Cades Cove Riding Stables. Their guided trail rides are fun for both beginners and experts. All of the horses have been handpicked for their calm temperament and athletic ability, and each horse is matched to suit your skill level. You’ll even go through an orientation before your ride so you feel safe with your horse! You’ll love traveling through the winding trails of the Smokies on the back of a horse. Cades Cove Riding Stables also offers guided carriage rides and guided hayrides!
5. Camping
Spend a night in the great outdoors when you visit the Smoky Mountains in the summer! You can sleep underneath the stars and make the most of your vacation. After you go white water rafting, head down the road to Pigeon River Campground! They have old-fashioned tent campsites, RV campsites, and even camping cabins for you to choose from, as well as a variety of amenities to enhance your camping experience, like a swimming pool, a general store, and river access for fishing! Please note: Pigeon River Campground is temporarily closed with plans to reopen in March 2026.
6. White Water Rafting
Of course, you don’t want to miss the chance to go white water rafting in the Smoky Mountains during the summer! You’ll have a variety of rafting trips to choose from, like a 6.5-mile trip down class 3 and 4 rapids, or a more relaxing float on the Lower Pigeon River. If you’re looking for a more thrilling adventure, try our extreme white water rafting near Gatlinburg, offered only during the summer! You’ll get to raft down the Upper Pigeon River in a smaller raft for an exciting experience full of hitting big waves and pushing the limits. The ability to swim is required, and previous rafting experience is recommended for this trip. If you’re wondering what to expect, read more about what to wear rafting in the summer!
We hope you and your family will enjoy all of these amazing things to do in the Smoky Mountains in summer! Start planning your vacation by browsing all of our exciting white water rafting trips and booking your experience today.
