Natural Wonders
The warmer spring weather makes this the perfect time to explore the amazing natural wonders in the South. Breathe in fresh mountain air, hike on lush forest trails, or feel the wind on your face as you take an airboat ride through a swamp. Stay cool in one of the largest cave systems in the world, or tap into your adventurous side by hang gliding over sand dunes. Find your favorite way to get in touch with nature in the South.
Mountains and Waterfalls with Amazing Views!
The Great Smoky Mountains is a favorite destination in the South for many outdoor enthusiasts. A hot spot for adventure seekers in the Smokies is Clingmans Dome, which is the highest point in the Great Smoky Mountain National Park. At a height of 6,643 feet, this landmark on the North Carolina and Tennessee border provides breathtaking views you won’t find anywhere else in the park. On a clear day, you can see up to 100 miles in any direction from the Clingmans Dome observation tower!
nps.gov/grsm/planyourvisit/clingmansdome.htm
Just outside of Bristol, Tennessee, is one of the largest and most beautiful cave systems in the Smoky Mountains region. Bristol Caverns offers the unique experience of viewing natural beauty millions of years in the making. Native American warriors once used these caverns as an attack and escape route in the frontier days. Retrace these warrior paths as you follow paved, well-lighted walkways through vaulted chambers, columns, and natural stone formations along the banks of the ancient Underground River that carved these remarkable caverns. The rock formations within Bristol Caverns are millions of years old and display rich veins of minerals in red, blue, gray, brown, and sparkling white colors. Stalactites and stalagmites ranging in diameter from the size of tree trunks to smaller than a straw provided plenty of visual interest. Some of these formations have even grown together and formed massive columns from the floor to the ceiling in many of the larger rooms of the caverns.
bristolcaverns.com/
Further south, along the North Carolina and South Carolina border, you will find the undisturbed beauty of Whitewater Falls. With a spectacular 411-foot drop, the Upper Whitewater Falls is the highest waterfall east of the Rocky Mountains. The half-mile paved trail is family-friendly and takes you through a forest filled with wildflowers, ferns, mosses, and salamanders and offers the closest views of the amazing waterfalls. A picnic area near the trailhead provides the perfect spot for an afternoon picnic in the shaded forest. Benches scattered along the trail offer great resting spots where you can take a breather and enjoy the beauty of nature all around you.
ashevilletrails.com/cashiers-highlands-nc/whitewater-falls/
Unleash Your Inner Explorer in the Ozarks!
The lush Ozark National Forest in Arkansas offers a winding cave, a peaceful lake, a hiking trail with extraordinary views, and a river perfect for kayaking. With so many exciting areas to explore, there’s never a dull moment! Begin your journey through the Ozarks at the Blanchard Caverns. There are three different tours offered through the cave, each with varying intensity. The Dripstone Trail is perfect for beginners and is accessible to strollers and wheelchairs. This hour-long tour features tiny cave creatures like salamanders and crickets as well as almost every type of calcite formation found in limestone caves. The Discovery Trail is a bit more complex and has a duration of 1 ½ hours. This tour takes your through the routes of early explorers as you pass through campsites of their early expeditions along the underground stream from Blanchard Springs. The Wild Cave Tour is for those with good mobility and lasts for 3-4 hours. This tour is not for the faint of heart, as you will climb steep slopes, crawl under low ceilings, and travel through red clay. Hard hats, knee pads, gloves, lights, and belts are all provided, as well as a souvenir t-shirt. Relax and rest at the Blanchard Springs Campground and take a swim at the Mirror Lake recreation area.
blanchardsprings.org/
For hikers seeking adventure aboveground, there are plenty of exciting destinations in the Ozarks and beyond. A popular destination for Arkansas hikers is Calico Rock, which is located above the White River. These beautiful bluffs have streaks of alternating colors in blue, black, gray, red, and orange. This quiet area is also home to antique stores, brick and stone buildings from the 1920s, and a museum featuring the history of this once bustling small town. The City Rock Bluff in Calico Rock offers unparalleled views of the White River and is very easy to get to with just a short walk from the parking area to the bluff. For a more challenging hike with a waterfall view, check out the Triple Falls Trailhead within the DuPont Forest in Jasper, Arkansas. This scenic hike is a popular destination for nature photographers wanting to capture spectacular photos of the waterfalls. Two water sources feed the main two waterfalls, but during the rainy season the third waterfall is visible.
arkansas.com/calico-rock
dupontforest.com/explore/triple-falls/
Get Wild in the Atchafalaya Basin!
The Atchafalaya Basin is the largest swamp and wetland in the United States and you can find it in south-central Louisiana where the Atchafalaya River and the Gulf of Mexico meet. The basin spans almost one million acres and is home to a variety of wildlife, including 100 species of fish and shellfish, Louisiana black bears, alligators, otters, bobcats, and white-tailed deer. In addition to providing a critical wildlife habitat, the basin serves as a flood relief outlet and filter for the Mississippi River. The basin also boasts the largest contiguous tract of coastal cypress in the United States. Take a guided airboat tour to learn more about the unique ecosystem within the Atchafalaya Basin.
atchafalaya.org/atchafalaya-basin
Discover Endangered Species in the Okefenoke Swamp!
The Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge is the headwaters of the Suwannee and St. Marys rivers along the Georgia and Florida state line. This refuge provides a habitat for many threatened and endangered wildlife species you won’t find anywhere else, such as the red-cokaded woodpecker, indigo snake, and wood stork. With more than 353,000 acres of National Wilderness Area within its boundaries, the refuge is a vital home to wetland animal species. There are several ways to explore the wildlife refuge, including guided boat and train tours, interactive exhibits, and self-guided boat and bicycle rentals. The Okefenoke Swamp is considered to be one of the Seven Natural Wonders of Georgia and is the largest blackwater swamp in North America.
okeswamp.org/
Fun & Adventure in the Outer Banks!
If you want to avoid crowded cities and overrun beaches during spring break, set your sights on the Outer Banks of North Carolina. This line of islands along the North Carolina coast offers more than 100 miles of wide-open shoreline, charming seaside villages, and small towns with lots of history and personality. One of the most notable destinations in the Outer Banks is Corolla Beach, where wild Spanish mustangs run and graze along the 24 miles of unspoiled beaches. These gorgeous horses are the descendants of domesticated horses left behind by Spanish explorers in the 1500s. This endangered species of horses is looked after by a team of professionals from the Corolla Wild Horse Fund to ensure their health and safety. Aside from the horses, you won’t find any crowds along this beach, making it the perfect getaway to truly relax and unwind.
outerbanks.org/
visitcurrituck.com/corolla-north-carolina-outer-banks/
For a truly unique and unforgettable experience, visit The Hang-Gliding Training Center for lessons on how to soar above the sand dunes of Jockey’s Ridge. There are hang gliding lessons for both kids and adults, and the high dunes and strong wind provide ideal conditions for your flight. Several safety precautions are in place and most flights are 30 to 100 yards long and 5 to 15 feet above the sand. Thrill seekers can try tandem hang gliding with an instructor and get towed by an ultralight aircraft to an altitude of 2,000 feet before being released to soar over the Outer Banks. Experienced hang gliders may take higher lever courses and fly on their own at Jockey’s Ridge.
kittyhawk.com/adventures/hang-gliding/hang-gliding-lessons/
If you prefer to keep your feet on the ground or in the water, plan a trip to the U.S. National Whitewater Center in Charlotte, North Carolina. This massive facility spans across 1,300 acres of land adjacent to the Catawba River and features outdoor recreation and athletic training for whitewater rafting, kayaking, canoeing, rock climbing, mountain biking, hiking, and ice skating. The main feature of the facility is the world’s largest and most complex artificial whitewater river designed by Olympian Scott Shipley. There’s over 50 miles of trails for bikers, runners, and walkers, and the outdoor climbing center is one of the largest in the world with over 40 roped climbs at heights up to 46 feet.
center.whitewater.org/
Explore Ancient Rock Formations in Kentucky!
Kentucky is home to natural wonders that were formed millions of years ago! Step back in time when you visit Mammoth Cave National Park, which features the longest cave system in the United States. The cave consists of limestone and sandstone formations with over 426 miles of passageways that have been surveyed. Several cave tours are available to visitors, ranging from one to six hours in length. Artifacts from ancient civilizations have been discovered throughout the cave system and were preserved for research. Several animal species live in Mammoth Cave, including cave crickets, millipedes, shrimp, crayfish, fish, and salamanders. A variety of rare bat species also call the cave home. Mammoth Cave National Park also features a number of excellent amenities, such as trails for hiking, biking, and horseback riding, canoe rentals, and campsites.
nps.gov/maca/index.htm
Another popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts in Kentucky is the Princess Arch Trail in the Daniel Boone National Forest. This scenic trail in the Red River Gorge leads you through a lush forest of mixed pine stands and rhododendrons to a natural rock formation known as Princess Arch. The 0.7-mile trail is not only beautiful, but easily accessible, making it perfect for beginners. The Red River Gorge has a total of 67 trails for hiking, walking, and camping, and each has its own unique features. Other popular trails include the Indian Staircase, Star Gap Arch, Chimney Top Rock, and Arch of Triumph trails.
redrivergorge.com/adventures/trails/
Hike a Scenic Mountain with an Underground Waterfall!
Lookout Mountain, which spans across Alabama, Georgia, and primarily Tennessee, is the perfect location for a family-fun trip. The three main attractions at Lookout Mountain in Chattanooga include the Incline Railway, Rock City, and Ruby Falls. The Incline Railway takes you to the top of the 2,000-foot-tall mountain and is known for being the world’s steepest incline railway. A winding trail also leads you to the top of the mountain if you prefer to take the scenic route. At the top of Lookout Mountain is Rock City, which offers panoramic views of seven states from Lover’s Leap as well as massive ancient rock formations and gardens with over 400 native plant species. Children and adults will enjoy experiencing the magic of Fairyland Caverns and Mother Goose Village, and the Big Rock Grill is a great place to stop for lunch. After reaching the mountaintop, descend into the mountain to see the hidden beauty of Ruby Falls. This thundering waterfall is the tallest and deepest underground waterfall open to the public in the United States. One of the newest attractions at Ruby Falls is the High Point ZIP Adventure, where you can get breathtaking views of the mountain as you soar through the treetops on fun ziplines.
visitchattanooga.com/things-to-do/outdoors/lookout-mountain/
seerockcity.com/
rubyfalls.com
