By Shari Lacy  

Who’s ready for some outdoor adventures? We have such a diverse land and outdoor adventure is easy to find around every corner. The American South is no different and is stocked full of things to do, so no need to look any further. Let’s explore! 

Get your gear, jump on board and get ready to savor the fresh air and excitement of the great outdoors. From hiking the Appalachian Trail to zip lining in Georgia, you’ll be sure to find an outdoor adventure of your liking in the amazing South!  

Experience Rafting/Climbing/Hiking in The New River Gorge in West Virginia 
Did you know West Virginia is home to America’s newest national park? The New River Gorge has always been a celebrated landmark in the Mountain State, but now it gets recognition as the country's 63rd national park. From action-packed adventures like whitewater rafting, rock climbing and miles of hiking trails, to the southern hospitality of uncrowded mountain towns, the New River Gorge is the next hidden gem to discover in Wild, Wonderful West Virginia. For More Info - https://wvtourism.com/places-to-go/parks-public-lands/national-parks/new-river-gorge-national-park-and-preserve/ 

Enjoy the Zipline Canopy & Aerial Park Tours at Historic Banning Mills in Georgia 
Visit the only resort to have two Guinness World Records for on-site adventures! Historic Banning Mills offers unique lodging options like Tree Houses. Check out their zipline canopy and aerial park tours, electric ATV tours, horseback tours, kayaking, climbing, and hiking their amazing and beautiful trails which include suspension bridges 540-750 feet long and 190 feet over the gorge. Enjoy history and live nature shows. Comfy rooms, group meeting venues and onsite chef top out their quality adventure resort. Visit their others sister parks if you travel around the southeast. For More Info - www.historicbanningmills.com or call 770-834-9149. 

Rappel off a Waterfall in North Carolina  
Have you ever thought of rappelling down a waterfall? Check out Green River Adventures for the “drop” of your life. This outfitter offers plenty of chances to stretch yourself on the likes of zipline canopy tours, hiking adventures and whitewater trips but the chance of a lifetime none of your friends will match is the waterfall rappel. Here, you’ll take a guided hike to Little or Big Bradley falls, slip on a harness, learn some rope handling from the pros, back out over the plunging water, and go! At the bottom, celebrate with a swim in the waterfall’s pool. Definitely follow all the rule though. The rocks around waterfalls are often slippery, and currents can be strong. Adhering to the rules will ensure you have a wonderful adventure bound day. For More Info - https://greenriveradventures.com/ 

 

Paddle the Mississippi Gulf Coast Blueways  
Is the water more your speed? You might want to check out the Mississippi Gulf Coast Blueways, grab your paddleboard and set “sail” on a paddling adventure. You’ll find mapped out water trails with miles of rivers, beaches, bayous and pathways for folks from all experience levels.  

Southern Mississippi offers explorers an unforgettable experience. There are currently seven Blueways (water trails), that have been mapped out for recreational canoers and kayakers. Blueways are a stretch of river, a shoreline, or an ocean that has been mapped out with intent to create an educational, scenic, and challenging experience for recreational canoers and kayakers. If these are your jam, these water trails are the perfect choice. For More Info - https://msgulfcoastheritage.ms.gov/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/BLUEWAYS_GUIDE_FINAL_2018compressed.pdf 

 

Take a Canoe Trip on Caddo Lake in Texas 
You won’t want to miss this East Texas treasure. Located in Karnack, TX, Caddo Lake is a place of mystic looking dreams. Step back in time as it will feel like you’ve visited ancient history. Located at the border of Texas and Louisiana, it offers a unique canoeing experience. With cypress trees and often mossy waters, it’s a sought after place in the world of canoe aficionados. Overnight rentals are available and some campsites even have private access directly to the lake. Fishing, paddle trails, hiking and more will make it easy to explore this unique nature playground. This is the only natural lake in Texas. 
For More Info - https://tpwd.texas.gov/state-parks/caddo-lake 

Revel in a Unique Hiking and Camping Trip on the Appalachian Trail 
This might just be the ultimate outdoor getaway for anyone desiring a few days away from the confines of daily modern life. Adventurous hikers can pitch a tent close to the trail, or book a reasonable cabin rental to experience a few more comforts from home.  

The Trail travels through fourteen states along the crests and valleys of the Appalachian Mountain Range, from its southern terminus at Springs Mountain, GA, to the northern terminus at Katahdin, Maine. The trail spans roughly 2,200 miles (3,500 km) with multiple drop in points along the way. Hike the Southernmost route by starting in Georgia and heading forward towards North Carolina, portions of Tennessee, Virginia and West Virginia. For More Info visit - https://appalachiantrail.org/ 

Soar in a Hot Air Balloon in Statesville, NC, the Ballooning Capital of the East  
Statesville, NC is the place to go if catching a hot air balloon ride is more your speed. You don't have to wait for an event to take a hot air balloon ride here. Local balloon pilots schedule flights twice a day, weather permitting, seven days a week, all year ‘round. You can choose a sunrise flight at dawn or a sunset flight, about two hours before the sun goes down—the best times of day for ballooning, when the winds are usually calm. There’s no better way to start or end your day. On a clear day you can see up to 50 miles —see the Brushy Mountains, Charlotte, Winston-Salem, Pilot Mountain, and hear the creek gurgling beneath the branches! For More Info visit https://www.visitstatesville.com/hot-air-balloon-ride 

 

Explore the Grand Canyon of Texas by visiting Palo Duro Canyon in the Texas Panhandle  
Palo Duro Canyon is called the Grand Canyon of Texas. This beautiful, natural wonder is the second largest canyon in the country and lies in the heart of the Texas Panhandle. Visit Palo Duro Canyon State Park and experience the canyon's rugged beauty and enjoy its colorful history. You can explore the canyon by foot, mountain bike, horse or car. They have more than 30 miles of hiking, biking and equestrian trails. Camp, geocache, study nature or bird watch. During the summer, enjoy a performance of TEXAS Outdoor Musical. Adventurers can choose from campsites with water and electricity, tent sites, equestrian sites, glamping or backpack camping areas. Stay in one of three cabins on the canyon’s rim or four Cow Camp cabins on the canyon floor. For More Info visit - https://tpwd.texas.gov/state-parks/palo-duro-canyon  

 
Ride the Rugged Terrain of Williamsport, TN on SXS Vehicles  
Experience Tennessee’s backcountry on a thrilling ride via a side–by–side (SXS) vehicle. This half–day tour is a great way to explore the rugged terrain of Williamsport in a unique way. Traverse dirt roads and shallow creeks, pass ghost towns and historic stores, and see caves and waterfalls throughout your journey. Choose from two SXS vehicles to use for your adventure. All necessary safety equipment and instruction is provided. Tours are approx one hour south of Nashville, 20 minutes from Columbia and 30 minutes from Dickson, TN. Read more about Tennessee Back Country 4 Hour Guided SXS Ride - For More Info visit - https://www.viator.com/tours/Franklin/Tennessee-Back-Country-Guided-SXS-Tour-4-Hours/d50741-238824P4?mcid=56757 

Discover Crabbing and more at Cape Romain National Wildlife Refuge in South Carolina 
A landscape with unparalleled beauty, this 22-mile stretch of pristine coastline where freshwater rivers and streams meet the open sea, create one of the most fertile ecosystems on the planet. Protected from development for more than eight decades, the 66,306-acre wildlife preserve serves as habitat for some 293 species of birds, 36 different kinds of mammals, 24 types of reptiles and 12 varieties of amphibians. You can also go on guided archery hunts, fishing, photography expeditions, hiking trails, beach combing, shell fishing, non-motorized boating journeys and more. This extraordinary natural wonder is just 20 miles from Charleston. For More Info visit - www.discoversouthcarolina.com 

Fly through the air on a Zip Line in Helen, Georgia 
Unicoi Zipline & Aerial Adventure Park in the charming, Bavarian influenced Georgia town of Helen is another course operated by the same group. The two-level courses are for ages 8 and up and include skywalk bridges and tower. Here you’ll find family friendly challenge courses, zipline canopy tours, an experiental nature trek in the tree tops and amazing birds-eye-views of the North Georgia Mountains. For More Info visit - www.unicoizipline.com 

Hike Table Rock State Park in South Carolina 
Table Rock State Park is a 3,083-acre park at the edge of the Blue Ridge Mountains in northern Pickens County, South Carolina. The park includes Pinnacle Mountain, the tallest mountain totally within the state. If your family is up for an adventure, check it out. There are plenty of trails and other activities for the whole family but the crown jewel of this park is the hike to the top of Table Rock, which makes for an amazing outdoor adventure. Check the park website for information about programs and scheduled hikes, including a park ranger-guided sunrise hike. Stay in one of the historic Civilian Conservation Corps cabins and wake up early for a trek up the mountain to watch the sun rise at 914 meters. That’s a way to start the day off right. For More Info visit - https://www.southcarolinaparks.com/table-rock 

Hunt Small or Large Game in Arkansas 
Hunting is a time-honored tradition in Arkansas, and you can find all kinds of hunting experiences. Fall is deer season in Arkansas, with designated opening dates for bow, muzzleloader and modern gun seasons. For bird and waterfowl enthusiasts, Arkansas offers world-class duck, dove, crow and turkey hunting. There are countless private and public hunting spots, as well as Wildlife Management Areas and hunting lodges where you can hunt both small game like rabbit, squirrel, and quail or large game. Arkansas has seasons for alligator, black bear, elk, hog and other wildlife—in fact, Arkansas is the only state that grants both alligator and elk hunting licenses. For More Info visit - https://www.arkansas.com/things-to-do/sports-recreation/hunting-fishing 

Explore Another World by Caving and Spelunking in Cathedral Caverns, Alabama 

Oh, the excitement of exploring and experiencing caves! When you visit Cathedral Caverns, you’ll start down the path to the main entrance and at first glance, the wide and very tall entryway will give you a clue as to the size of formations you are about to experience once inside. One of the joys of caving in the summer in the South is that once inside the cave system, the humid Southern summer climate will turn to the naturally air-conditioned cooler air of the cave interiors. Stalagmites will stand upright towards the cave ceiling like organically shaped columns but watch out for the shark tooth in the ceiling – some proof that the cave itself might have held other creatures at one point in history. Go all the way to the bottom room of the cave to learn why it’s called “Cathedral Caverns.” I bet you can guess why! For More Info visit - https://www.alapark.com/parks/cathedral-caverns-state-park 

Hike the Walls of Jericho from Tennessee and Alabama 

The Walls of Jericho is a 750-acrea natural area that is within the 8,943-acrea Bear Hollow Mountain Wildlife Management Area (WMA), which runs contiguous to the Skyline WMA in Alabama. Both of the public lands on the Tennessee and Alabama side total 21,000+ area. The “Walls” is an impressive geological feature that forms a large bowl-shaped amphitheater. Embedded in the limestone are bowling ball size holes from which water drips and spouts, creating a unique water feature. This amphitheater gives rise to steep 200-foot sheer rock walls that create the natural feature defining the amphitheater. Turkey Creek drains through the “Walls” and has been an active geological force in creating the amphitheater. The natural area forest is comprised of maples, oaks, hickories, tulip tree, American beech, eastern red cedar, and many other plants commonly associated with limestone. The forestland beyond the “Walls” feature is noteworthy with its many bluffs, large rock outcroppings, caves, and sinkholes. For More Info visit – https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/alabama/walls-of-jericho-trail 

 

Take Aim in a Hardy Game of Paintball in Atlanta, GA 
Whether you are traveling with a young teen or an adult who's a kid at heart, playing paintball is high on the list of fun. You normally think of paintball as a sport that needs lots of suburban land, and there are plenty of those paintball fields in Georgia, but crazy as it sounds, there is a field located within the city limits at Paintball Atlanta. This is an ideal way to entertain you, your family and friends. Over six fields to choose from, all with a different playing style. Ask us about the brand new LOW IMPACT paintball! For More Info visit - https://www.paintballatlanta.com/ 

Kayak the Ocoee River in Tennessee 
For the advanced kayaker looking for some excitement, The Ocoee River has featured some of the most impressive freestyle kayaking in the U.S. for the past 40 years. Once dammed, the energy concern has been releasing recreational flows since the 1970s, creating a 10-mile stretch of Class III+ whitewater. Exciting rapids like Grumpy, Broken Nose, Flipper and Tablesaw will test your grit. But if you have some kayaking skills up your sleeve, Tennessee will provide you with some enormouse white water rafting excitement. If calmer is your speed, you can check out one of the local closeby paddling schools where guides can give you a hand. For More Info visit - americanwhitewater.org/content/River/detail/id/1780 

Spin Your Wheels and Cycle the Tanglefoot Trail in Mississippi 
If you’re lookign for a great bike path to explore, check out fMississippi’s Tanglefoot Trail. It  is the state’s longest rails-to-rails conversion trail, offering more than 43 miles of easy cycling through the Appalachian Mountains and the Mississippi Hills National Heritage Area. Cyclists will pass lush forests, beautiful farmlands, and seven endearing and friendly towns while peddling this multi-use route. There are also four off-trail campsites along the way if you find you’d like to turn it into an overnight trip. For More Info visit - http://tanglefoottrail.com/ 

Relax and Row on the Tennessee River in Chattanooga, TN 
Chattanooga Rowing is a 501(c)(3) non-profit dedicated to expanding awareness of and participation in the sport of rowing for competition, fitness, or recreation. Located in the heart of downtown Chattanooga along the beautiful Tennessee River, Chattanooga Rowing is the premier place to row in the Chattanooga area. It is home to the Chattanooga Rowing Adaptive Rowing, Lookout Rowing Club (LRC) adult rowing program, the Chattanooga Juniors Rowing (CJR) high school program, the University of Tennessee Chattanooga (UTC) collegiate team. Chattanooga is the site of the second largest national regatta - the Head of the Hooch. Its mission is to provide area residents of all ages and abilities the opportunity to enjoy and benefit from rowing on the Tennessee River. For More Info visit - https://www.chattanoogarowing.org/ 

Make a Prized Catch by Trout Fishing in West Virginia 
West Virginia has a wide range of fishing opportunities throughout the state. Trout fishing on lakes and rivers throughout the state is popular, especially for anglers looking for the rare golden rainbown trout. Anglers also enjoy West Virginia waters for other specials, too.  

The New River is one of the top rivers in the country to fish for smallmouth bass. The clean water, age of the river, and its natural structure make it ideal to fish during a float trip like those offered from Adventures on the Gorge, where you cast from a moving raft. 

The Potomac and Shenandoah Rivers are known for large populations of tiger muskie, walleye, and largemouth bass. The Bluestone River has warm-water species like rock bass, smallmouth bass, and bluegill as well as some of the most scenic wilderness in the state. The Gauley River is another preferred waterway in West Virginia. 

Some of the popular lakes for fishing are Summersville Lake, Bluestone Lake, and Beech Fork Lake. The West Virginia Division of Natural Resources stocks more than 200 waterways with brook, rainbow, brown, and golden rainbow trout mostly in the eastern part of the state in the mountain streams. For More Info visit - https://wvstateparks.com/5-wv-state-parks-to-visit-this-fall-if-you-want-to-catch-a-trout/ 

Enjoy the Wide Open Water on a Jet Ski in Keowee, SC 
Looking for an all-encompassing spot to get in some good jet skiing this summer? This clean, family-friendly lake is a favorite among locals and travelers alike. It offers plenty of wide-open spaces for you to put your watercraft to the test, along with small, calm areas if you want to take a quick dip. You can contact companies like Lake Keowee Boat Rentals or Pontoon & Jet Ski Rental to have your watercraft delivered to the lake to help save you the time and hassle of bringing your own. For More Info visit - https://www.lakekeoweeboatrentals.com/ 

Wind Your Way Along the Tail of the Dragon in North Carolina 
Attention motorcyclists! If you are looking for the ride of a lifetime, the Tail of the Dragon at Deals Gap showcases 318 curves in 11 miles: America’s number one motorcycle and sports car road. Designated US 129, the road is bordered by the Great Smoky Mountains and the Cherokee National Forest with no intersecting roads or driveways to hamper your travel. It is considered “the destination” for thousands of motorcycle and sports car fans throughout the springs, summer, and fall. Are you brave enough to try it? It’s bet to be cautious as the turns are tight, but the Tail of the Dragon is guaranteed to be the ride of your life. For More Info visit - https://tailofthedragon.com/ 

Go Horseback Riding through the Beautiful Rolling Hills of Virginia 
Virginia is loaded with pristine locations to get your equine fix while exploring nature. Saddle up for great mountain trail rides, gorgeous waterside strolls, and rolling pasture gallops when you experience horseback riding in Virginia. The state has numerous outfitters, ranches, and parks offering miles and mies of scenic trails and horseback riding lessons for all ages and skill levels. For More Info visit - https://www.virginia.org/things-to-do/outdoors/horseback-riding/ 

 

Tear Up the Track on Dirt Tracks in Union Point, GA 

If motorized wheels are your thing, check out dirt bike and ATV riding Durhamtown Off Road Resort in Union Point, GA. Less than two hours east of Atlanta, experiences and novice riders have lots of room to push their limits on on dirt bikes and ATVs on 150 miles of one-way trails, including pee wee, supercross, MX, a dirt drag strip, a dirt flat oval and a freestyle park. Prefer hunting to motorsports? They have that, too. For More Info visit - https://www.offroadadventuresdt.com/ 

 
Observe Nature Up Close by Birding on the Coastal Birding Trail in Alabama 

You could wander anywhere in Alabama and see rich natural habitats and beautiful birds, but when the wind shifts in spring or fall, it’s time to head for the coast. The Gulf of Mexico exerts a powerful influence on migratory birds, and twice a year the tiny transients swarm by the thousands along its shores. The Alabama Coastal Birding Trail will lead you to the best of the migrant stopover sites, from legendary places like Fort Morgan and Dauphin Island to dozens of lesser-known gems. For More Info visit - 

On big migration days the trees are alive with a kaleidoscopic swirl of brightly hued warblers, tanagers, orioles, buntings, and other songbirds, resting and refueling for the next leg of their journeys. On days when migration is slow, you can follow loops of the trail to inland woods, where you might hear the surprisingly sweet whistles of the elusive Bachman’s sparrow or a barred owl belting out baritone hoots from the deep shadows of a cypress swamp. For More Info visit - www.audubon.org/news/birding-trails-south