Ultimate Student Group Adventure Guide for The Smoky Mountains

The Smoky Mountains are home to Pigeon Forge, Gatlinburg, Sevierville, and the stunning Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Here you’ll find tons of fun, natural beauty, and true Southern Appalachian Mountain culture.

Ready to plan a trip that checks all your boxes but keeps your budget in check? We’ve got you covered with the ultimate student group adventure guide for the Smoky Mountains!

Best Time to Visit

Situated between North Carolina and Tennessee, the Smokies are magnificent at any time of year.

Spring (April – May)

Spring is a vibrant time to visit, with pleasant temperatures, bountiful blooms, and plenty of action in the towns or in the mountains.

Summer (June – August)

Summer brings toasty temps and long days that make exploring a must. It’s also the perfect time to get out on the water for some rafting or to hike the misty mountains.

Fall (September – October)

In fall, the green mountainside transforms into a riot of glorious golds, reds, and oranges. There are fall festivals, hayrides, abundant wildlife, and lots of fresh air fun.

Winter (November – March)

Winter brings a break from the crowds and a chance to enjoy pristine views, snow sports, and cozy cabin stays.

Each season brings an abundance of activities for student groups at great price points. There’s so much to see and do! Let’s dig into some of the amazing attractions in the Smoky Mountains…

Smoky Mountain National Park

Fun Fact! The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is the most visited national park in the U.S. with more than 10 million visitors each year.  It’s also one of the oldest mountain ranges in the world – estimated between 200 and 300 million years!

With more than 800 miles of hiking trails, breathtaking waterfalls, and a wide variety of wildlife to explore, the park is the perfect place to practice eco-tourism.

Here you’ll find scenic hikes suitable for all fitness levels, including those with limited mobility. From the Tremont area to the popular Clingmans Dome trail, there are options for everyone to embrace the beauty of the Smoky Mountains.

Don’t forget to pack boxed lunches and picnic in Cades Cove, a pretty little picnic area tucked between Abrams Creek and Green Branch Creek.

Pro Tip: Capture the Moment with a Photography Workshop

Consider including a photography workshop as part of your itinerary. The Smoky Mountains offer a picturesque backdrop, and professional photographers share tips and techniques for capturing the best shots.

It’s a great way for students to document their class trip experience – and what teen doesn’t want a great photo op?!

Dollywood

Fun Fact! Dollywood wasn’t always Dollywood. It originally opened in 1961 as Rebel Railroad, a small tourist spot with a coal-fired steam engine, general store, blacksmith, and saloon.

Today Dollywood is a powerhouse theme park that’s perfect for student groups. It has a wide range of attractions, from thrilling rides to world-class shows.

Immerse yourself in the magic of the park as you enjoy live entertainment, explore the artisan shops, and experience the thrilling roller coasters.

Be sure to catch the spectacular shows that showcase the region’s rich musical heritage and Dolly Parton’s celebrated talent. With its student-friendly atmosphere, Dollywood is a must for student class trips and a definite inclusion in our student group guide for the Smoky Mountains!

A ‘Mountain’ of Indoor and Outdoor Attractions

Fun Fact! Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg attract more than 10 million visitors each year. That’s because there is so much to do here! Inside or outside, there are countless adventures waiting for your student group in the Smoky Mountains.

Many of the attractions here offer curricula like physics, history, geography, sustainability, and more that can be used in the classroom before or after your visit.

Pro Tip: Here’s a sneak peek at a few of our student group favorites…

Rafting in the Smokies

Start the day Rafting in the Smokies with Class I-IV rapids or take to the treetops with a zip line course.  Hike, complete a ropes challenge course, or cross a 150 ft. suspension bridge to a 10-acre Adventure Island and playground.  This is student-friendly fun at its best!

NASCAR SpeedPark

Race over to NASCAR SpeedPark for 22 race themed go-kart tracks, rides and attractions. The twists and turns are thrilling, and the collection of NASCAR memorabilia is the biggest in the Smokies.

Great Smoky Mountains Heritage Center

The Great Smoky Mountains Heritage Center offers a fascinating glimpse into the local history and heritage of the region.

Delve into the lives of early settlers and the unique traditions of Southern Appalachia, tour original 19^th century buildings, and explore the impressive Cherokee Native American Collection.

Titanic Museum Attraction

Students will learn more about the ill-fated Titanic at the immense, ship-shaped attraction in Pigeon Forge.  Completely interactive and filled with artifacts, groups can investigate all the Titanic Museum has to offer.

Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies

Voted America’s #1 aquarium by TripAdvisor, it is also a top destination for viewing penguins.  Yep- right in the heart of Tennessee!  Pet stingrays and horseshoe crabs, check out 12 ft. sharks and explore the aquarium in a series of clear underwater tunnels.

The beauty of Ripley’s Aquarium is that it’s super student-friendly and groups can take part in education programs, tours or even music programs.

The Track

Zip over the to The Track for a fast ride on a three-story go-kart track or a crazy free-fall into oversized safety cushions.  Bumper cars, bumper boats, mini-golf and bungee round out a full day of fun!

Goats on the Roof

Here’s an attraction that’s sure to get your attention!  The Goat Coaster at Goats on the Roof is an alpine coaster, topping speeds of 30 mph and careening down a mile-long track.

Follow your ride with homemade ice cream, gem mining and some quality time with the goats!

Alcatraz East Crime Museum

Teens are fascinated by the macabre, so they’ll love the Alcatraz East Crime Museum! They’ll explore America’s ‘seedier’ side through interactive exhibits that dig deep into criminal profiles, victim’s stories, crime prevention, forensic science, law enforcement and more.

They can even check out the notorious White Ford Bronco that carried O.J. Simpson on his slow speed chase down the 405!

Island Adventures

When you’re in the middle of a mountain destination, you’re probably not thinking about an island. Unless it’s The Island in Pigeon Forge!

The Island IS a destination, with eating, shopping, play and stay options in one exciting entertainment complex.

Ride the Great Smoky Mountain Wheel or get lost in the Mirror Maze. Use your wits in the Escape Game, jump into the Thunderdome, or take a ride that requires all senses at the 7D Dark Ride Adventure.

Plenty of Performance Options

Fun Fact! Since 1983, the Smoky Mountain Music Festival has had more than 6,500 groups from 29 states. More than half of them are repeat participants because it’s such an amazing experience!

If your student group is planning a performance, there are plenty of venues ready to showcase their skills (including the festival!) Bands, choirs, orchestras, drama, dance, and more find the Smoky Mountains are super welcoming.

Pro Tip: Here are a few performance opportunities that we love for groups…

Student-Friendly Dining and Hotels

Fun Fact! If you’re taking student groups to a dinner show, you can relax because they are all family friendly.

In addition, many of the hotels here welcome student groups and offer great rates and service.

Pro Tip: Here’s the inside scoop on some of our top picks for student-friendly dining and hotels…

Our Best Pro Tip for Your Student Group Guide for the Smoky Mountains?

Plan with a partner! Make it super easy and plan your student adventure to the Smoky Mountains with Kaleidoscope Adventures!

Kaleidoscope Adventures has been planning outstanding student travel for more than 30 years. Online registration and payments, convenient crowdfunding options, and an expert team make your planning simple and efficient.

We’ll work with you to plan an exceptional travel experience for your students from start to finish.

PLAN YOUR SMOKY MOUNTAIN ADVENTURE

Related Reading: 8 Awesome Ideas for an Epic 8th Grade Trip