There are many beautiful scenic drives in this part of Tennessee and I'd be amiss to try and pick a…read morespecific location to say "this is the best of the best", but I can say with certainty that just calling this a typical scenic drive is an understatement, this drive is nothing less than amazing. It's always nice when you have a mountain to yourself but an entire mountain range to yourself is incredible - ok I must be honest I did see a few other vehicles as I made my way through the switchbacks and steep climbs and descents but they were far and few between. Most were motorcycles doing that bionic lean as they navigated the many curves on this beautiful day. I was very fortunate to discover this place while out exploring in my Jeep which is probably the second best mode of transportation to experience this drive, the wind in my hair and sucking in the good ole mountain air was nothing less than therapeutic. There are many amenities along the way including spacious pullouts, over-looks and an endless number of hiking trails. Hopefully if your planning to take the ride across this parkway you come prepared to fully experience it - hiking shoes, water and a few snacks will enhance your visit. As I researched this area prior to arriving I read several notes claiming this was "The Top of Tennessee" I can't say I know the exact topographic significance of this particular drive but I can tell the beauty crosses the horizon and there were many breathtaking moments. I certainly recommend bookmarking this location while liking my review and photos lol - seriously it's worth your time...

Carolina Bound Adventures basically made our trip to North Carolina. They provide any adventure you…read morecan think of. I only wished I could do them all in our vacation! Mark and Dave were our guides for a Jeep Tour and a Canoeing tour. They were both very accommodating and very knowledgeable about the cultural and environmental history of the area. This really was one of my favorite birthday trips I've taken in a while and North Carolina will always have a special place in my heart because of this. I usually try to travel to different places I've never been to before but I really want to go back to NC! Definitely do not hesitate to book with Carolina Bound Adventures! You will have the best time!

My husband and I went kayaking on Fontana Lake. Great experience from start to finish! Owners…read morewere very friendly, had everything organized, and gave great directions on where to meet up. Kayaks, paddles and vests were all in great shape. Kayaking on the lake was quiet and peaceful. Highly recommend this company if you are looking to kayak or paddleboard!

We were seeking adventure and had so many options for whitewater rafting. We decided on this…read moreparticular company for a couple of reasons 1. We could fit 4 in a raft 2. It had a coupon for $12 off!! We called on Tuesday night about 7:45 (they closed at 9) and talked to Teresa who was able to schedule our foursome for a trip at 2:00 on Wednesday. She was so helpful and gave us some tips for travel to Hartford. Once we got there we checked in with a very competent and thorough young lady. We took a short bus ride to the "put in" point. On the 10 minute ride some of the guides performed fun comedic routines which kept us from thinking about how hot we were on a bus with no AC ( except open windows), decked out in life jackets and helmets while holding our paddles upright. :-) We got paired with a river rafting guide named Brantley. He gave us great paddling instructions before we even entered the raft. Since we had all been river rafting before, he explained that the trick to having a more exciting trip is to synchronize your paddle strokes. We had a great time with Brantley. We truly appreciate his concern for our "fun factor" and especially our safe trip down the river.

Been on family trips for more than ten years. We've tubed and canoed but this was by far the most…read morefun. Guides are friendly and fun all while giving the sense of trust that they are looking out for your safety. Our group was 4 parents in one raft and 5 young adults in another (each raft can hold 6). Be sure to tell your guide you want to "surf the rapids".

Little River Outfitters is a bit of a hidden gem. We decided to visit while we were staying in…read moreGatlinburg, since I've gotten the itch to get back into fly fishing after a 20+ year hiatus. Dennis welcomed my wife and I as soon as we walked in the door and after I explained my situation and target types of waters he took me straight to the perfect affordable setup. He expertly answered my questions and refrained from trying to upsell me to the readily available much more expensive options. Once we'd made our choices he left us to wander the store browsing. In the end I walked out with a nice rod and reel combo, a few extra leads and tippets and a big smile on my face. If you a tired of the big stores where they treat you more like money bags than fellow anglers, check out Little River Outfitters. It's well worth the drive and the personal and very knowledgeable service.

First of all, this shop is AMAZING!!!!!!! I am 10 years old just starting fly fishing and fly tying…read morethey are very very nice, respectful, and knowledgeable! They gave me a bunch of stickers and even fly tying materials! And even a trout stuffed animal and they put Velcro on it so I could practice casting!!!! They were very kind to me and my dad VERYY GOOD SELECTION from reels and rods to fly tying materials they have benches and fly vises and bobbins and tools very good selection honestly they have whole floor of fly tying materials and a trout hatchery very good prices too!!!!!! Over all just a great shop with amazing employees!! I love em and can't wait to go back

Great hike in a wonderful location that still keeps you close to civilization. Many other places…read morethroughout the park offer incredible experiences but if you are looking for a short trek that full of beauty and history this is a hike worth taking.

This is a very remote property located along the Little Brier Gap Trail, about 1.5 miles from the…read moreLittle Greenbrier School. It is only accessible by foot. The site contains a house, corn crib or barn and springhouse built in the mid-1800s. The buildings are the last remnants of the Little Greenbrier Community and were occupied by the Walker Sisters until the 1960s. Although the hike to the property is fairly easy, this spot does not attract as many visitors as others in the park and as a pleasant result you can find more solitude and tranquility here than other places you may visit. It is hard to imagine what life must have been like for the women who lived here. A tour of the interior of the house will leave those of us used to creature comforts thankful for all we take for granted. The grounds provide ample spots for taking a break, stretching out and relaxing. There are no restrooms, water stations or amenities of any kind available here. The hike to the Walker Sisters Place for the most part follows an old road and is easy to navigate. Just before the turn to the property, a narrow footbridge allows you to cross the stream. The sounds of running water, scurrying critters and the leaves rustling in the wind can make you forget that just a few miles away there is a park road teeming with traffic and other visitors. We hiked after lunch and it made for a perfect afternoon. We met a few people on the trail as we hiked in, but there were only three or four other people at the house when we arrived. This is a great family hike. We managed well with a 3 and 5 year old, although some piggy back rides were needed on the return trip.

Fabulous experience. The location is a bit hard to find so leave early for the drive. They have…read moredirections online. The staff were so friendly and knowledgeable. They truly love what they do and are passionate about whitewater rafting. We had Jamie and he was amazing. They do a great job of making sure everyone is safe and also having fun. I recommend the upper raft but if it's your first time then the lower raft ride is a great way to start!

We had the BEST experience with River Rat whitewater rafting! From start to finish, everything was…read morerun so well--extremely organized, clean facilities, and perfectly on time. Every staff member we met was funny, friendly, and incredibly knowledgeable, which made the whole day even more enjoyable. Our guide, Ocean, was AMAZING! She knew it was our first time and went out of her way to explain what to expect, making us feel confident and excited. She turned our first rafting trip into an unforgettable adventure--full of laughs, thrills, and a few "core memories" we'll be talking about for years. If you're thinking about going rafting, do it--and go with this company. You won't regret it! We did try other rafting companies after and that was a mistake. We will always come back to Ocean & River Rats.