Blog for Zipline Attraction in the Smoky Mountains
Located in Pigeon Forge, TN and near Gatlinburg and Sevierville.
To Tour Or Not To Tour?
By Ross Bodhi Ogle
Posted on July 16, 2024
Last week, we talked in depth about a specific brand of audio app that gives Smoky Mountain visitors in-depth information and navigation when conducting a self-guided auto tour of the area. That got us thinking about the nature of tours in general - specifically tours that are led by one or more people. What are the advantages or disadvantages of seeing the mountains this way? How much do guided tours of the Smokies cost, and are they worth it?
This week, we're going to give you an overview of the kinds of guided tours that a person can take, not just of Great Smoky Mountains National Park itself but of the cities of Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge and Sevierville as well as outlying areas. (Most tours don't recommend specific attractions, but if you want to experience the best ziplines Sevierville, Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg have to offer, we'll gladly encourage you to work in a stop at Smoky Mountain Ziplines.)
Here are just a few of the guided tours of the Smokies that are available:
• Smoky Mountains Roaring Fork Guided Sightseeing Tour by Smoky Mountains Jeep Tours
This 2.5-hour tour takes place in large Jeep vehicles capable of seating eight to 10 guests. The route covers the Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail, which originates near downtown Gatlinburg and finishes near there as well. The tour includes multiple stops that encompass everything from scenic overlooks and a wide variety of floral species to historic sites that date back to the area's earliest white/European settlers.
• The Classic National Park Tour by Smoky Mountain Guides
If you have three hours to devote to an exploration of Great Smoky Mountains National Park, then you might want to sign up for this guided tour, which departs from Gatlinburg and shows small groups sites that represent the area's history and natural wonders. The excursion includes a hike on which participants will learn more about the role that pioneers and the timber industry played in shaping the destiny of the Smokies. The tour also includes a drive along scenic Newfound Gap Road, with stops along the way to take in views of valleys, mountains and the Appalachian Trail. Drinks and snacks are included.
• High Points Driving Tour
This three-hour tour focuses more on the higher elevations of the Smokies, including passing the Appalachian Trail and cresting the Smokies at an elevation of more than 5,000 feet. Along the way, you'll learn lots of facts about the area, including its geological and Native American history. The tour even moves into the North Carolina side of the national park to take in the vistas and learn about the impact that the logging industry had on the region. The trip will peak at the Clingmans Dome area, the highest point in the national park at an elevation of 6,643 feet. If weather permits, the tour includes a short walk through the spruce-fir forest to learn about that unique environment.
• Small-Group Jeep Tour of Smoky Mountains Foothills Parkway
Here's a different take on the Smokies tour, one that involves driving along Foothills Parkway. Most tours last around three hours and include a scenic tour of the parkway, making multiple stops along the way in places like Wears Valley and Townsend. You'll learn about the history of the national park and have some shopping opportunities as well. The tour closes out with a rough-terrain ride on private land in the company's Jeep vehicles. Expect this tour to take about three hours.
These are just a few of the options available and should give you a good idea of what to expect from a guided tour of the Smokies. Keep in mind that all of these tours are conducted by knowledgeable guides, and you can expect to pay anywhere from $85 to $105 per person for each tour. Also keep in mind that prices don't include gratuities, which are always appreciated by the tour guides.
