There is no better place to take a family vacation in the Smoky Mountains! With so many things to do that are great for people of all ages, you’ll never run out of excitement on your trip. To help make sure you have the most amazing experience, follow these 4 tips for having the best Smoky Mountain vacation with your family:
1. Raft the Lower Pigeon River
One of the best activities for families is right here at Smoky Mountain Outdoors! See the Smoky Mountains like never before when you go white water rafting on the lower Pigeon River. Our Lower River Rafting trip takes you on a relaxing ride down the river and is perfect for families with kids. You’ll go on a 5.5 mile trip through the scenic Pigeon River gorge that starts at the outpost and ends at the Denton Bridge. It’s a great way for all of you to share a memorable experience with each other!
2. Visit Family-Friendly Attractions
In addition to our rafting trip, the Smoky Mountains have a number of family-friendly attractions for you to enjoy. The Island in Pigeon Forge is a popular place for affordable family fun! One of the best things to do as a family at The Island is ride the Great Smoky Mountain Wheel. You’ll see breathtaking views of Pigeon Forge and the Smoky Mountains from as high as 200 feet in the air, and each gondola seats up to 8 people, so the whole family can ride together! And while you’re in the area, make time to visit Dollywood for a day filled with family-friendly rides, delicious food and unique shops. If you’re interested in another outdoor adventure, we recommend going ziplining at CLIMB Works . You’ll soar through the trees on 9 world-class ziplines for an incredible experience that is even more special when you share it with the people you love. We even offer a special combo package where you can go ziplining with CLIMB Works and on a rafting trip with us!
3. Unplug from Electronics
One thing we recommend doing on your family vacation is completely unplugging from all your electronics. Put the phones away and enjoy quality time with each other. When you’re in the Smoky Mountains, there are so many things to do and places to see that you don’t want to waste time staring at a screen. Convince the kids to put their phones away and focus on the beauty of the mountains that surround them.
4. Spend the Night Underneath the Stars
The final tip for having the best Smoky Mountain vacation with your family is to spend the night underneath the stars! One of the best ways to enjoy the great outdoors is by going camping. Pigeon River Campground is right down the road from Smoky Mountain Outdoors! At Pigeon River Campground, you can camp the old-fashioned way in a tent, in an RV or in a camping cabin! The campground also has a number of amenities families can enjoy, like a swimming pool, a general store where you can buy ingredients to make s’mores, a laundry room and more. There are even outdoor activities to do as a family, like volleyball, horseshoes and cornhole! Camping provides a great opportunity for families to spend time together and create memories that will last forever.
When you follow these 4 tips, you’re guaranteed to have an amazing Smoky Mountain vacation with your family! Learn more about our white water rafting trips and start planning your family vacation.
