Blog for Zipline Attraction in the Smoky Mountains
Located in Pigeon Forge, TN and near Gatlinburg and Sevierville.
4 Fun Places To Cool Down This Summer
By Ross Bodhi Ogle
Posted on June 20, 2023
Summer arrives this week, and it's starting to feel as if the mild spring we enjoyed in the Smokies is taking its cue and bidding us farewell. The heat and humidity common to East Tennessee this time of year have been making their presence known lately, but that's no reason to think twice about visiting the Great Smoky Mountains. In fact, we can offer you suggestions for several ways to enjoy your vacation and manage to keep your cool in the process this summer.
1. Water park
What better way to combine relief from the heat and playtime than with a trip to a water park? Attractions like water slides, wave pools, lazy rivers, kids' play areas and the like help vacationers of all ages make the most out of a sunny day in the mountains. And these days, Smoky Mountain visitors have more than one option at their disposal. Dollywood's Splash Country in Pigeon Forge has been around for more than 20 years, offering some 35-acres of options for families to enjoy. That park has water slides of all lengths, heights and levels of adventure, including racing slides and slides in which groups can ride together in rafts. Another destination to consider is Soaky Mountain Water Park in Sevierville, which is one of the newer venues in the area. Some of their unique attractions include dueling water coasters, a surfing simulator and the Avalaunch water coaster. If you happen to be staying at Wilderness in the Smokies in Sevierville, you can take advantage of their two water parks - one indoor facility that's open year 'round and an outdoor park that's made for summer. At any of these water parks, you'll also enjoy amenities like cabana rentals, shops where you can pick up last-minute poolside gear and supplies, and food vendors to enjoy during your down time.
2. National park
Great Smoky Mountains National Park is not only a beautiful place to cool off, it's free (except you'll need to purchase a parking pass first). The park is known for several user-friendly swimming holes, including the Townsend Y, which is a fork in the Little River where folks have been gathering to splash and play in nature for decades and decades. The Sinks, located off Little River Gorge Road, not far from Metcalf Bottoms Picnic Area, is another visitor favorite spot to swim. One of its features is a waterfall, but it's not naturally occurring. It was created when loggers dynamited the river due to a huge log jam in the early 20th century. Although both sites are popular, always exercise caution when swimming in the national park.
3. Zip lining
Even on the hottest of days, riding a zipline is a sure-fire way to get a good breeze going. Flying through the treetops, you get up a good head of steam, and the wind in your face is delightful. You've seen dogs stick their heads out of car windows, right? Now you know why. When you determine your travel dates in the Smokies, contact us in advance, and we'll help you schedule a canopy tour. A cool ride on our zip line, Smoky Mountains scenery and a day of adventure… What more could you ask for?
4. Whitewater rafting
You might be riding in a raft, but chances are you're going to get soaked in the cool, bracing waters of an East Tennessee River. In Gatlinburg, you'll find offices for several rafting outfitters that are based in Hartford, TN, where different levels of expeditions will help you explore the Big Pigeon River, the Ocoee River and others. Whether you're out for a half day or a full day, you'll enjoy taking on challenging whitewater rapids and marveling at the beauty of unspoiled woodlands. You may wind up getting bounced into the river (unlikely but possible), or you may take advantage of a voluntary dip in calmer waters. But we can almost guarantee that you'll get drenched by a big splash of whitewater at some point!
