Things to do / Travel Guide
Tired of the same old? The southern Appalachian Mountains is a vast region, and there are plenty of ways to get yer ya-ya's out - mountain style. Balloon, skydive, or take an ATV ride for a time you'll never forget.
Ballooning in the Southern Appalachian Mountains
Even if you know the Shenandoah Valley like the back of your hand, seeing it from a gently soaring balloon is a totally new experience. There are balloon festivals in the Shenandoah, but throughout the warmer months you can catch a ride (call in advance) from any of the mid-sized cities surrounding the valley: Front Royal, Woodstock, Harrisonburg, and others.
As opposed to that of the Blue Ridge Mountains (which you'll probably see) and the Smoky Mountains (which you won't), the mountain-scape of the Shenandoah Mountains is much clearer from the air; you can discern the colors playing together in the mountains. Pass over farms, the Shenandoah River, the cities and towns and the countryside. White-tailed deer flit between trees, and you can also see vineyards.
Now those Smokies, they're also a treat for the eyes from a balloon. Smoky Mountain Balloons is based in Dandridge, Tennessee, on the shore of Douglas Lake. From the air, you can see Douglas Lake and Cherokee Lake, plus the Smokies.
Skydiving in the Southern Appalachian Mountains
Within the region, there are two areas you can skydive in: south-central West Virginia, and the Tennessee side of the Smoky Mountains. The former is based out of Beckley, West Virginia, located on I-64. Flights depart from Raleigh County Memorial Airport, and land somewhere in a field, where you'll be picked up. The latter is based in Cooper Air Field, near Morristown, Tennessee.
ATV Trail Rides
You can go ATV riding in the Smokies at the base of Bluff Mountain. It's guided, and depending on the group, you can even make your way to the summit, at 2,300 feet. The operation is based out of Walden Lodge, near Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. Anyone over the age of 16 can ride their own ATV, and the ride is thrilling through small stream beds and over roots and small hills.
Adventure Sites in Roanoke, Asheville, Smoky, Blue Ridge, Shenandoah and Southern Appalachian Mountains
Adventure-Travel
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