Quick Details
IMPORTANT INFRMATION:
Wildlife Disclaimer: It’s always exciting to see wild animals in their natural settings, but they are wild and always on the move in search of food, shelter and are not always visible! So being in the right place at the right time can yield some great moments, while other times yield nothing at all, please keep in mind that this is a wild and natural place that we visitors truly have no control over!
Our adventure starts with an interpretive, scenic drive into the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Discover the motor nature trail, known as Roaring Fork, with 5.5 miles of natural and historical wonders including streams, creeks, cascades, scenic overlooks, and plenty of photo opportunities.
Go on short nature walks back into time as we view and learn about historical farms and homesteads, and early Appalachian community dating from 1776 through mid-1930s! Our route will exit into the mountain town of Gatlinburg, TN for a tour where a world of music, food and attraction awaits you. Enjoy two hours of free time for exploring and enjoying all Gatlinburg has to offer!
Looking to see the natural and historical wonders of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, and add a splash of food, attractions and music in a beautiful mountain town? Then this is your adventure! Enjoy a guided scenic drive along a five mile one way loop that is chalked full of scenic vistas, historical farms and homesteads all nestled amongst mountain streams justifying its name, Roaring Fork, is a stream in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, and like many mountain streams, Roaring Fork can be volatile. While the stream is normally a peaceful trickle on any given day, it can quickly becomes a raging whitewater rapid after a mild rain shower, the “roar” of the water is amplified by its echo on surrounding mountain ridges! We will enjoy these views during our drive as the motor nature trail weaves and winds along these beautiful streams and cascades. Along the drive as we travel through the foothills and enjoy stops at scenic overlooks that allow for great photo opportunities while admiring distant mountains and valleys.
Then it’s off to enjoy short out and back nature walks back into time, as we view several farms and homesteads that early settlers carved out a living amongst natures bounty, learning about how they built their homes and cultivated the ground littered with ancient sandstone!
Historical stops will include, an early 1900’s double cabin with a passageway in the center known as a “Dog Trot” placed on a 70 acre plot of which the Bales would farm 30 acres and the remaining 40 being heavily wooded, would be used for building materials and fire wood. This site also has a barn, hog pin, corn crib, and barriers typical to the time. This stop will be a walk into the history of life in the foothills area, and via guided commentary we will see, smell, hear how early settlers carved out a life!
Our second stop will include a personal favorite “Alfred Reagan house” of which includes a Tub Mill used for making cornmeal, flour and was built by Alfred in 1895, he and his family would cultivate this small farm but Alfred was a man of many talents, he ran a general store, blacksmith shop, and was a preacher spreading the word at the Roaring Fork Church. The Tub Mill was one of the best built and its location along the stream was well placed allowing it to perform even during low water flow, earning it the distinction of most consistent! This is a great stop, full of history and sounds of water passing through the rocks. Each of these two stops will average 15 minutes out of vehicle and the out and back nature walks are guided and fully equipped! After our nature walk into the past ends, it’s all aboard and off to the mountain town of Gatlinburg for two hours of free time that you and yours can find attractions, food, entertainment and much more!
Each additional hour at $75.00 per-hour.
Add additional Gatlinburg time!
Add a Guided Interpretive Nature Walk! Full Equipped, lightweight backpacks, water, snacks, botanical insect repellant and binoculars. Our out and back nature walks are fully equipped to get you out into the natural wonders and allow for safe viewing of wildlife, see, smell, hear and interact through our guides via interpretation and education of flora and fauna, history and culture!
Available Trails:
