Tourist in your Town: Thrill-seeking in the Smokies

An hour or so drive down the interstate will bring you to CLIMB Works to start your day with a ziplining course.

Once you conquer your fear of stepping off a canopy platform, you'll feel free as you soar through the trees, with stunning view of the mountains above you, and forested landscapes below.

“I think it gets them outside their comfort zone, let’s them experience something they may not have experienced before," said Jarrad Read, a manager at CLIMB Works. "Maybe learn a little bit about themselves while they do something that they’re not used to doing.”

After nine ziplines, first time fliers and experienced gliders leave their fears on the ground and come down with a new perspective.

Two tourists at CLIMB works went ziplining for the first time as a birthday present.

The 61-year-old birthday boy described his first time ziplining as "an awesome, professional, exciting experience."

His wife said her favorite part was surviving.

Come with family or alone, because when you're that high up in the air, strangers become friends.

Ziplining isn't very physically demanding, so if you want to turn up the challenge a notch, it's time to try out mountain biking.

The only mountain biking trail in Gatlinburg is also at CLIMB Works, because bikes aren't allowed on the trails inside the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

“The sky’s the limit as far as the mountain biking goes," said Dave Wayland, who oversees the mountain biking excursions at CLIMB Works. "This is a great place to start, and then from there see where it takes you.”

The mile and a half loop works your legs getting up a steep hill, but feeling the wind on your face going downhill and through a large wooden cork screw is worth the struggle.

Soon this trail will double in size, and starting Memorial Day weekend, they’ll rent electric bikes for those who need a little extra help up those hills.

Once you work up a sweat, it’s time to cool off in the Pigeon River with some white water rafting.

“I don’t know that Knoxvillians really realize the Pigeon River is the 3rd most popular rafting river in the United States, and it’s the closest white water rafting to Knoxville," said Olwen Claiborne, marketing director for Smoky Mountain Outdoors. "It’s one hour down the interstate.”

At the Smoky Mountain Outdoors rafting center up the road from Gatlinburg in Hartford, you'll gear up with helmets, life vests and paddles for a six mile river rafting journey.

About 100 raft guides train to guide people of all ages down the Pigeon River, which has four levels of rapids all on one trip.

You’ll get wet, and maybe fall out of the boat, but the scenery, company and thrill are all worth it.

Guides said the majority of their rafters are from out of state, and would love to see more East Tennessee locals join them on the river.

Because adventure doesn't have to be far away from home.

“It gives you a sense of doing something outside of your everyday routine," said Claiborne.

And nothing makes you feel alive like living on the edge.

“When you’re done you’re really proud of yourself,” said Claiborne.

After a long day of thrill seeking, it’s just a short drive home.

Your close-toed shoes will be wet, your fanny pack full of snack wrappers, and your car full of tired but accomplished family and friends who spend their day on an adventure trip with you.

There are countless companies in Gatlinburg and the surrounding areas who offer ziplining and rafting, all different and exciting adventures for you to experience.

This summer CLIMB Works and Smoky Mountain Outdoors are teaming up to offer a package that includes all three adventures listed above.

You can find information on their adventure package here.