Along the Tennessee/North Carolina border stretching from the Pigeon River to the Little Tennessee River you’ll find the Smoky Mountains, cloaked in blue-green spruce fir trees and shrouded in cool mist. These stunning peaks are rich with natural beauty and are a peaceful retreat for hiking and camping, but to really understand the scale and grandeur of these mountains you must get a glimpse them from above. Here are 8 ways you can get a bird’s eye view on this wonderfully scenic region.
Gatlinburg SkyBridge
A Gatlinburg icon since 1954, the Gatlinburg SkyLift Park now offers a new experience for visitors: the SkyBridge - the longest pedestrian suspension bridge in North America. Stretching 680 feet across a valley, the bridge allows for visitors to cross at their own pace and take in the incredible views, which are not in short supply.
Gatlinburg SkyLift
Scenic Helicopter Tours
Take a ride in a helicopter high above the Smoky Mountains for some of the best aerial views you can find. With more than 45 years of experience, Scenic Helicopter Tours has been a Pigeon Forge staple since 1972. They offer a variety of tours to accomodate most any budget. Each flight can accomodate up to six passengers at a time. The highly skilled pilots will show you the national park, French Broad River, Douglas Lake, and even more.
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Foothills Parkway Jeep Tour
Let the guides at Pink Jeep Tours show you the sights of the Smokies from an open-air vehicle. Known to many as the prettiest drive in America, Foothills Parkway has several scenic overlooks where you can stop and take some amazing photos. The great part of the jeep tour is that you don't have to worry about a thing but the incredible panoramic views ahead of you.
Pink Jeep Tours
Hike To LeConte
At 6,593 feet, Mount LeConte is the third highest peak in the Smokies and considered the tallest mountain in the Eastern United States. For spectacular views of breath taking lush and green mountain scenery, there is no better place than Mount LeConte. There are many other outstanding views on the way to the top no matter which route you choose.
Hike To LeConte
Anakeesta's Firefly Village
There's more than one way to take in the incredible views at Anakeesta. When you're ready to relax and unwind, stop by Firefly Village amongst the Smoky Mountain treetops. The treehouse themed shops and dining options rest in the center of almost 360 degree views of the surrounding mountain ranges. You can even check out their live webcam.
Anakeesta
Ziplining
Experience the thrill of gliding through the air high above the mountains with a Pigeon Forge zipline. You will be strapped into a harness so that you can fly above the treetops, about 400 feet above the ground. There are several incredible Pigeon Forge zip lines to experience, as well as rope bridge courses that are not for the faint of heart.
Ziplining
Great Smoky Mountain Wheel
An observation wheel towering over 200 feet tall, the Great Smoky Mountain Wheel is one of the tallest attractions in the Southeast and offers an unparalleled view of the gorgeous Smoky Mountains, and it's conveniently located on The Island in Pigeon Forge. From your all-glass gondola you will be able to look at the lush and green landscape around you in all directions as go around.
The Island
Clingmans Dome
If you want to admire the views of the Smokies from above the hard way, you can make the big climb up Clingman’s Dome. This mountain is the highest point in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park as well as the highest point in all of Tennessee. When you reach the top you can climb the observation tower, which will reward you with stunning 360 degree views of the Smoky Mountains and even further. On a clear day you can see for more than 100 miles!
