Beat The Heat On Your Next Visit To The Smokies
Posted by Leif Palmer in Things to Do
Summer is officially still a week away, but thermometers have been creeping up toward 90 already, and the Humidity Monster officially paid his first visit this week here in the Smokies. However, that shouldn't be a problem for anyone planning to travel to the mountains this summer. If you're going to be staying in one of our cabin rentals in Pigeon Forge, TN, we can share with you a few ways you can keep your cool this summer, even if you're planning to spend time outdoors.
Dollywood's Splash Country
Located adjacent to the original Dollywood theme park in Pigeon Forge, this water park opened in 2001 and gave Smokies visitors 25 acres' worth of ways to stay cool. Today, the park boasts some 35 acres' of water-based attractions as well as dining options, canopy and retreat areas, and beautiful mountain scenery. Activities include numerous raft and body slides, Bear Mountain Fire Tower, Downbound Float Trip, Little Creek Falls for younger folk, Mountain Waves and Raging River Rapids. The newest addition, TailSpin Racer, opened this year, featuring six side-by-side slides, allowing guests to race each other to the bottom.
Whitewater Rafting
East Tennessee is known for its rivers, and many of them feature thrilling whitewater rapids. Several rafting companies operate in our area, including Rafting in the Smokies and Pigeon River Rafting. Many of these guided excursions have offices in Gatlinburg but actually operate on the Pigeon River in Hartford, TN, about an hour's drive from Gatlinburg. You'll also find companies that have outposts on the Ocoee River in East Tennessee. Regardless of where you go and which company you choose, you're in for several hours of thrilling whitewater action as you and your fellow rafters take on rapids as challenging as Class III and IV. Trips are led by experienced guides, but it's almost guaranteed that you'll get soaked by the bracing waters of our region's rivers.
Inner Tubing
There's only one thing more refreshing than riding a raft down a river, and that's floating in an inner tube down a river. In Townsend, TN, you'll find several outfitters that run inner tube companies on the Little River, including River Rat, River Rage and River Romp. In most cases, they'll either transport you to a put-in point, and you float back to the outpost, or you'll start at the outpost and then pick you up at the take-out point. Either way, the water is invigorating, and you'll enjoy relaxing as you float lazily down the river. There's also a company in Maryville, TN – River John's – that will go with you to a put-in point (with your own canoe/kayak or one of theirs) and then drive your vehicle back to the outpost/take-out point, seven miles downstream.
Of course, at our cabins, you can beat the heat too. All our properties are air-conditioned and have some sort of shaded deck or porch where you can kick back and stay cool while you enjoy fabulous views of the Smokies.
About Leif Palmer
Leif Palmer loves residing in the Smoky Mountains. He is an avid outdoorsman: rowing for exercise on the lake, trail hiking, and free climbing rocks in the mountains. He indulges his arty side by periodically beating up pieces of marble by sculpting. He is always frustrated by his inability to sink long putts, and hates his curly hair (but his wife loves it). Leif has been known to muster enough courage to change a diaper, and hopes his son will become a chip off the old block.
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Gatlinburg Hiking Pigeon Forge Pigeon Forge Attractions Places To Eat Places To Eat Rental Cabins Seasons Smoky Mountains Sevierville Smoky Mountain Attractions Smoky Mountains Things to Do Wears Valley