Photo: Visit Sevierville

Wander just beyond the edges of Great Smoky Mountains National Park, following the Little Pigeon River north, and you’ll quickly find yourself in Sevierville, Tennessee. That right there should tell you everything you need to know. The area holds so many idyllic outdoor scenes — lush green valleys, rolling hillsides, mountain forests filled with trails, rivers, and lakes — along with all the amenities you need to refuel between amazing adventures.

Less than 30 minutes from both Knoxville and the national park, Sevierville is a quick hop south of I-40 and less than a day’s drive from almost anywhere along the Eastern Seaboard or from the Southern US. Once you’re here, you can get on the water, take to the air, explore the mountains, or just burn some of that cooped-up pandemic energy. Here’s what you can look forward to in Sevierville’s great outdoors.

This guide is proudly produced in partnership with Visit Sevierville.

Soaring through the air

Photo: Sky High Air Tours / Visit Sevierville

One of the world’s biodiverse hotspots, the lush blue-green canopy of the Smokies is unlike any other in the country. Here are some of the best ways to explore these thick, wildlife-rich forests and ancient, intricately weathered mountains — from above.

Hitting the water

Photo: Visit Sevierville

There are numerous opportunities to get on — or in — the water in Sevierville. Between bubbling mountain streams, placid lakes, tumbling rivers, and one of the country’s best waterparks, the right volume of water fun lies somewhere just beyond your eastern-Tennessee doorstep.

Exploring the mountains

Photo: Anthony Heflin/Shutterstock
Sevierville sits in a valley at the edge of the Great Smoky Mountains, so named for the pearlescent fog that often hangs over the range. While the national park contains more than half a million acres of pristine lands, wildlife hangouts, and stunning photo ops, look to the miles of scenic terrain and trails outside the park for lesser-trafficked mountain adventures.

Getting active

Photo: Kyle T Perry/Shutterstock
There’s a lot of excitement to burn through in Sevierville, and some days, you just gotta get those feet moving — above or below ground. You have to earn your time sitting on the porch and watching that mountain sunset, right?

This guide is proudly produced in partnership with Visit Sevierville.