Had a great time today at Highlands Aerial Park. Our guides Jack and Anna were the perfect mix of…read moreSAFE, funny and encouraging. We were all a bit nervous and Jack and Anna clearly explained everything and put us at ease on the course. We splurged and got the photos and videos too... you save $10 if you buy it in advance. It was a fantastic experience and we would highly recommend it!

Really just a great way to spend some time in the mountains and enjoy the weather especially when…read morehiking gets a little boring. John and Kat were great guides and did a good job keeping conversation while me and my sis waited for the other guests to use the zip line. Learnt some cool tree facts and it even turns out John just got a book I've read before. Only wish I could've taken the full tour. My sister keeps saying the tour guides names were Jack and Kate for some reason though

If you start in the parking lot at Deep Creek, you can see three waterfalls easily in one day…read more First is Juney Whank which is the most challenging to get to due to steepness. it's probably five out of 10 in difficulty, but it's the hardest part of the three waterfall hike. The rest is pretty easy. After Juney, you go to Tom Branch Falls, then Indian Creek Falls, and then can circle back towards the parking lot.

We saved this hike for our last day of vacation and it was amazing! The park is very nice and has…read moreample parking space. The trail is clearly marked with wooden signs throughout. The hike to the falls is all up hill so be prepared for a pretty steep incline. There is a small waterfall very close to the entrance of the trail. I enjoyed the blooming flowers and trees on the way to the falls. Juney Whank waterfall was a site to see and well worth the hike. If you get the chance take this hike, you won't regret it!

Cool 90' waterfall near the TN end of Cherohala Skyway. After a 2 year long closure, BRF just…read moreopened 3 weeks ago (May 30,2025). It had a great setting with strong cascades after much rain in the Cherokee National Forest. Since August, 2023 much of the roads, parking and the original 1933 Bridge were updated and new observation decks from the Bridge make it enjoyable even for the mobility challenged. The base of the falls and swimming holes can be accessed. I dipped my toes in and the water was warmer than expected on a hot humid (80s) day. There are 2 access roads along the Cherohala Skyway and are easy to miss. River Road is easier and seems to show up on GPS. Turkey run is NOT marked, newly paved but had a big fallen tree blocking much of the road. Parking is limited, about 15 parking spots and a steady stream of cars waiting on a weekDay afternoon. It's worth a stop but be prepared for the crowds and limited parking. No restrooms nor anything else. Leave No Trace!

If you're wanting a nice scenic drive (especially in the fall) and a beautiful waterfall, Bald…read moreRiver Falls is your place!! The waterfall itself is easy to get to as it accessible by car, but note the bridge is CLOSING in August 2023 for repairs! There is parking just past the bridge and a great place to stretch your legs and get a good view. To the left there is a rocky staircase that can take you down to the bottom of the falls. I say staircase, but that's being generous. It's more of a variety of rocks stacked and over time have settled into the earth to allow you a way to get down and up. The water is calm enough to get into on the sides, but I wouldn't recommend going too far in near the falls as the current is quite strong.

This is by far one of my favorite areas to mountain bike! I live about an hour away and make the…read moretrek a couple of weekends a month. There are two sets of trails (Mouse Branch/Thompson Loop or Right Loop/Left Loop) and they vary by day which set is for bikes and which for horses, which is detailed on their site (but I have also copied that info at the end of my review. All the trails are one-way, dedicated trails so you can get some good speed too! Mouse Branch/Thompson Loop: I LOVE the flow of this trail. There are no drastic up hills or downhills. Pretty much anyone can traverse these trails. I am a solid intermediate but suck on ascending, but I do not have to get off my bike anywhere on this trail. It opens up to some GORGEOUS views of Fontana Lake. Be warned that you will need to wear your sunscreen on this side because it lacks a good tree canopy, unlike the other set of trails. Right Loop/Left Loop: These are the more challenging and longer trails. I did have to get off my bike and push a couple of times. There is more tree canopy on this side (thus more shade, which I love). It also has great views of the lake in spots. If I had my choice, I would choose a day when Mouse Branch/Thompson Loop is open for mountain biking for a more fun, easier, flowy trail. For more of a challenge, choose a Right Loop/Left Loop day. **Bring a few bucks cash. There is a daily use fee on an honor system (but it supports the trails so don't be cheap!!). You go to the little board at the end and fill out an envelope, which you put in a box. You can also kayak and camp nearby! :) *************************************************** Info from their site: The Tsali (pronounced "SAH-lee") Recreation Area's four-loop trail system has become a popular destination for mountain bikers and horseback riders. It is best known as a challenging mountain bike course. The Right Loop, rated moderately difficult, offers 13.9 miles of single track, with shorter 4- and 8-mile loops possible. The Left Loop, rated moderately difficult, is 11.9 miles of single track with views toward the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and Fontana Lake. The Mouse Branch Trail, rated moderately difficult, is 8.7 miles of single track and includes old logging roads. The Thompson Loop, rated moderately difficult, is 7.3 miles of single track. Hikers may travel the trails on any day, but mountain bikers and equestrians-the primary users-are kept separated by alternating days on the trails. Be sure to follow the trail schedule: Jan./Feb./March/April/June/Sept./Nov./Dec. Right Loop and Left Loop: Horses - Tuesday , Thursday, & Saturday Mountain Bikes -Monday, Wednesday, Friday & Sunday Mouse Branch and Thompson Loop: Horses - Monday, Wednesday, Friday, & Sunday Mountain Bikes - Tuesday, Thursday, & Saturday May/July/August/October Right Loop and Left Loop: Horses - Monday, Wednesday, Friday, & Sunday Mountain Bikes - Tuesday, Thursday, & Saturday Mouse Branch and Thompson Loop: Horses - Tuesday, Thursday, & Saturday Mountain Bikes - Monday, Wednesday, Friday, & Sunday There is a per-person day use fee for trail use. Fees can be paid at either the Tsali Bike or Horse Trailheads.

Great mountain biking and camping area. The location was awesome and made it easy to bike, raft and…read morevisit the city. John was a great host at the campground and kept the noise to a minimum at night.

Such a wonderful adventure! Great staff, well organized, beautiful mountain views, scary tunnel,…read morean all around good time had by all. We worried about rain but it was a sunny delightful day. Cool in the shade and warm in the sun. We were tired from the pedaling but got to coast all the way back!

It's a fun experience for sure, not quite a 5 star but it's definitely a good 3.5 to 4 star…read moreadventure. Our bike worked great, we had an amazing guy in the driver seat peddling for his life so we never had to use a muscle, not even once!! The views after you leave the neighborhoods is nice and the experience of being on the railroad tracks was pretty unique. The best part of the whole thing was our guides and their wonderful sense of humor! The tunnel history was a great story and the rest at the top was the perfect amount of time. All in all, I'd recommend the tour for a unique experience if you've never done one before.

Honestly, this was an awesome experience! The check-in process was quick and easy, and the location…read morewas simple to find. The guides were incredibly friendly and full of personality and they really kept the energy up and made the whole place feel welcoming. Once we got on the water, it only got better. My family and I had an absolute blast. Everything was well-organized, and the entire trip flowed smoothly from start to finish. Tyler, our guide, was fantastic. He was extremely helpful, gave great tips throughout the ride, and made sure we were having fun the entire time. He truly made a great experience even better. Huge thanks to Carolina Outfitters for such a top-notch adventur. We had an amazing time, and Tyler really made it memorable and funny!

What an amazing time we had here. We liked it so much we came back turn next day to do it again…read more The staff is very friendly and our guide, Buckeye, was very knowledgeable and friendly. We asked for him again on our second trip. They take you a little further than some of the other places. They also have someone to take pictures as you go through the last rapid and the pictures are great. We will definitely go here again if we go back. This was the highlight of our vacation. Thank you Buckeye!

We went ziplining with our lovely guides Mike and Hunter. We had an amazing time and they really…read moreeased you into it so it all felt very safe. It was 2 hours in total and I wouldn't change anything about it, except maybe some cooler weather! Can't wait to try the rafting next time.

Mike and Tyler were fantastic guides. Thorough, kind, and made the whole experience really fun for…read moremy friend and I. Thank you so much!

Good Family Fun or a great Sunday Funday. River tubing along the Cherohala Skyway in the Tellico…read moreRiver. Rental prices are for the day and you go tubing as much as you want within their operating hours. Prices vary by the type of tube you choose and any accessories you rent (oars and push off sticks). I opted with the premium tube with a cup holder and head/back rest accompanied by an oar. The oar really helped to keep you in the strongest current and out of low lying places in the river. They do require you to have a life vest and will provide them free of charge. If you personally decide to wear it or not - it is at your risk but you have to have one in your possession while tubing. Once checked in, you load up on to a small bus and up the river they take you. Your drop off location is "Iron Works Grille" parking lot. Iron Works is also a great location frequented by motorcycle riders traversing the Cherohala Skyway. They have food, cocktails, and occasional live band inside and on their patio. Upon arrival at the drop off location, the staff provides with your tube to float. We entered the river right at the edge of Iron Works property. We set sailing down the river at a leisurely pace. The overall trip is only .8 miles back to the starting point of Big Bears parking lot. Upon end of float, you exit the river and the staff retrieve your tube. You keep your life jacket and accessories. If you decide to take another trip you load up on the next available bus and repeat your trip. They have portable restrooms on site and a small shop to purchase t-shirts and tubing accessories. The staff was friendly and well organized. I will give them a high recommendation for being the New Kids on the Block.

Had so much fun! Family event for us. Everyone working there was courteous and friendlyread more