3 Fun Spring & Summer Sports Activities in the Smokies

Visiting the Smokies opens up a whole world of spring and summer sports activities; especially if you travel with friends or family. All of you can participate in very active sports, or choose to watch some great spectator events while you’re here. Either way, we’d like to introduce you to some really fun outdoor spots that will have you breathing in some clean Smoky Mountain air!

1) Ever Try Zip Lining? Fly High With the Smokies All Around You

You may have heard about zip lining; perhaps you have even tried it before. But if you haven't tried it in Gatlinburg, it’s time! Make your Smokies vacation really special with a treat for you and your entire family or group -- go zip lining! There are a number of zip line companies in Gatlinburg and surrounding cities and towns; we'll profile one here and then provide you with a list of alternative companies for your consideration.

But before we get to zip lining, we must tell you about a unique craze that is taking the Gatlinburg area by storm - tree trekking! Visit ZipGatlinburg and check out this wild and challenging activity! It's a maze in the tree tops -- you'll interact with 27 different obstacles, from rope bridges, logs, platforms, and ladders, to even a few surprises; like the yellow Corvette! This car in the sky is really unusual! Sit inside and view the Smokies from the most unforgettable perch you'll find anywhere!

If you want to take a rest, there's even a picnic table with benches located in the trees which makes a good place to sit and catch your breath. Wend your way through this challenging and fun course that will make you think and laugh! It's so much different than anything you'll find at the other zip line companies! It's definitely unique and perfect for groups that want something they'll remember from their trip to Gatlinburg!

As with their zip line courses, ZipGatlinburg takes great care to fit full body harnesses, helmets and safety equipment to each participant so they can take to the courses with confidence. Rates are very reasonable, at $40 per person. Check their specials, too, to save money. They offer a special zip line and tree trek combo for only $79.

Are you ready for the best prices in the Smokies, half the price of all other zip lines? Then ZipGatlinburg is for you, especially if you're traveling with a group! This is the only zip line company that lets 5 year old kids zip line by themselves (in a group with their family). That's pretty exciting and they also are very easy to find, right next door to the Space Needle in Gatlinburg.

The zip line course is comprised of a 90 minute guided tour through the skies of Gatlinburg, and have no fear, you will come to the ground 3 times during the tour. Also, as with their tree trekking activity, you will wear safety harnesses that are fitted correctly for each participant. You will be guided at every point by trained zip line instructors. You'll start on a training line then move progressively higher until you are gliding through the air quite effortlessly!

Rates are excellent; review the pricing page on their site and book your zip line tour today!

If you'd like to check out other zip line companies in the area, you may consult this list:

Smoky Mountain Ziplines, Pigeon Forge, TN

https://www.smokymountainziplines.com/

Foxfire Mountain Adventure Park, Sevierville, TN

https://www.foxfiremountain.com/

Wahoo Ziplines, Sevierville, TN

https://wahooziplines.com/contact-us/ 

2) Take to the Links: Visit Gatlinburg Golf Course

Even when on vacation, golfers want to keep up with their game. Avid golfers would say, but of course! If you're traveling to Gatlinburg, then you can experience the very best municipal golf course in the country, as voted by Golf Digest. This is definitely a high honor that the Gatlinburg Golf Course has earned through its managers' ability to create a challenging and spectacularly beautiful setting for you to enjoy your game.

This picturesque 18 hole course offers one of the most dramatic venues for golf that you will find anywhere. Surrounded by the grandeur of the Smoky Mountains, Gatlinburg Golf Course is open year round, which can’t be said for many courses. This is a well-groomed golf course that can put your skills to the test. The emerald fairways and perfectly kept greens give you the chance to admire nature at every turn.

You'll appreciate that this golf course was designed by famous course architect William Langford. It has undergone two renovations to ensure the best design. The course is easy to find since it is located right next to Dollywood, only 5 miles from downtown Gatlinburg.

Now is a great time to go golfing because the green fees are cheaper this time of year:

April, May

Before Noon: $55

After Noon: $45

9-Hole Fee: $30

These prices are a $5 savings off the before noon fee, and $5 off the noon - 4 pm fee at other times of the year.

Find out more about this gem of a golf course and get your tee time set up today!

Check out this page for more information on Gatlinburg Golf Course and also Bent Creek Golf Course in Gatlinburg, a Gary Player Design course. 

3) Get Up and Play or Watch, Instead!

If you're staying in Pigeon Forge (or if you wish to take a drive over) Wear Farm City Park offers a variety of facilities that can help you enjoy a spring day in the Smokies. Go ahead and bring all your baseball equipment for a big day outdoors because this park has 5 baseball fields! Newly built in 2013, you'll be impressed by the attention to detail, including two playgrounds and walking trails. This is a fun place to visit with the kids if you want to toss around a football, fly a kite, enjoy a picnic or have a day where you don't have to do much planning; just enjoy each other's company. There is plenty of parking, plus two concession buildings. Find this fun park on 623 Wears Valley Rd., Pigeon Forge.

Love Baseball & Softball, but You’d Rather Watch; then You'll Love The Cal Ripken Experience.

If you want something to look forward to for next spring, come to Pigeon Forge in March 2016 to check out the new Cal Ripken Baseball Experience! This will be an incredible new baseball/softball venue that will be home to six ball fields designed to replicate the uniqueness of historic MLB baseball parks. The Cal Ripken Experience website can keep you up to date on the progress of the field development, which will offer the Smoky Mountains as a spectacular backdrop to the baseball and softball tournament action. All of the amenities of these fields are designed on a par with MLB standards. Top-of-the-line synthetic turf, lighted fields, training and batting areas, and a clubhouse complex with pro shop, are just some of the features of the $22.5 million dollar Ripken Experience, which will be a haven for youth ball players, coaches, families, friends and fans.

Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge surely provide dozens of sports opportunities, whether you wish to enjoy them as a participant or a spectator. Need some more sports activity ideas? Try this list from the Gatlinburg Convention and Visitors Bureau.