Great Smoky Mountains Family Multi-Adventure Tour
Families with Kids & Teens
5 days
4 nights
Activity Levels 1-3
Casual Hotels
Great Smoky Mountains Family Multi-Adventure Tour
Families with Kids & Teens
5 days
4 nights
Activity Levels 1-3
Casual Hotels
2025: Jun-Aug
National Park Adventures in Tennessee
Discover a beloved US park and World Heritage site. From wildflowers and waterfalls to birdlife and mountains rising in the fog, the Smokies are ready to make your family smile.
Highlights
- Hike the storied trails of the Great Smoky Mountains, home to brook trout, great horned owls and black bears
- Relax on your cabin’s porch swing and camp in style at Under Canvas’s upscale glampsite
- River raft along rapids and swim in clear pools below a waterfall
- Swap stories with new friends by the fire and gaze at the star-studded skies
- Pedal on a bike path in Knoxville, enjoying the hum of the Tennessee River and the charming small-town vibe
Start/End Knoxville
* Start/End locations may vary. Do not book flights until your trip details are confirmed.
Itinerary
Days 1-2
On our first Tennessee morning, bike through the charming university town of Knoxville • Listen to the hum of the Tennessee River as you ride along the greenways • Spy great blue herons and explore the Ijams Nature Preserve • Hike through an old-growth forest along Alum Cave Creek to Arch Rock—a formation of black slate • Climb stone-carved stairs to catch sight of magical mountain scenery, including the Eye of the Needle—a hole in the top of the rock at Little Duck Hawk Ridge • Gaze above for passing peregrine falcons • Discover Alum Cave, a massive concave overhang towering 80 feet high • Walk along trails showcasing bright mountain laurel and rhododendron tangles • Soar through the temperate rain forest on a zip-line tour • Relax fireside under the stars at our idyllic glamping site tucked in the woods.
Nights 1-2
Praised by Condé Nast Traveler, this safari-style glampsite is nestled among wooded, lush terrain in the Land of Blue Smoke.
Days 3-5
The family is in for a refreshing good time and thrilling white-water fun on the Class II-IV rapids of the Upper Pigeon River—complete with stunning views of Pigeon River Gorge • Enjoy some lawn games or settle into a rocking chair on your porch • Bike a car-free and blissful route at historic Cades Cove, a formerly inhabited farming valley • Take in the lush landscape and look out for black bears and elk • Enjoy local dishes and handcrafted cocktails at Dancing Bear Lodge • Gather around as our Appalachian storyteller brings the region’s culture and history to life • Trek along the Lynn Camp Prong river to one of the Great Smoky Mountains' scenic waterfalls in Tremont—feel free to take a dip under the cascading waters.
Nights 3-4
With rocking chairs and simple charm, the contemporary cabins at Dancing Bear Lodge offer rustic comfort in a serene setting.
What's Included
See moreStraight Talk
We want to make sure you're on the trip that's right for you. Every Backroads trip is unique and this one is no exception.
At Under Canvas Great Smoky Mountains, we stay in large canvas-walled safari-style platform tents. Each is outfitted with a king-size bed including linens, a small fan, a small battery-operated lamp, a wood burning stove, plus an en suite bathroom with a hot shower, flushing toilet and sink. On family trips, kids sleep in a smaller tent set up with two cots adjacent to the parents’ tent or on a pullout sofa in the parents’ tent. Each tent has a USB battery pack to charge a cell phone or small device. While our tents are comfortable, they do not have electricity or air-conditioning. Daytime can be hot but the tents' screened windows allow cool air to flow at night. Also, the property does not have Wi-Fi or cell reception. Our location is close to the national park, so we may occasionally glimpse wildlife strolling through camp. With canvas walls and doors, sound may carry from nearby tents and chirping crickets, so we suggest packing earplugs. Under Canvas has a social atmosphere and we'll be sharing communal spaces with other guests.
Hotels
Adventure-Ready Hotels
Ideally located with ready access to trip activities, our Casual hotels are also known for their character and charm.
Hotels may vary based on departure. Any variations will be displayed when selecting a departure under Dates & Prices.
Nights 1-2
Casual Hotel
Praised by Condé Nast Traveler, this safari-style glampsite is nestled among wooded, lush terrain in the Land of Blue Smoke.
Nights 3-4
Casual Hotel
With rocking chairs and simple charm, the contemporary cabins at Dancing Bear Lodge offer rustic comfort in a serene setting.
Gallery
Bikes
Choose Your Perfect Bike
Our bikes are designed and built with specific cyclists and riding styles in mind, so we can always offer you a perfect ride. Please note that bike requests are subject to availability and prioritized based on the date they're submitted.
Included in your trip price
- Ideal for avid cyclists
- Redesigned for 2024
- Next gen titanium frame with carbon wheels
- Responsive, efficient and comfortable
- Drop handlebars only
Included in your trip price
- Suited for a wide range of cyclists
- Comfortable ergonomic seat
- Long wheel base adds to the bike's control and stability
- Upright handlebars only
Included in your trip price
- One of the lightest e-bikes available
- Provides plenty of power and more than enough battery
- Lower top tubes for easier mounting and dismounting
- Upright handlebars only
- Limited availability on Unplugged Bike Tours; learn more
Min. age to ride e-bike: 16+
Included in your trip price
- Backroads is the only travel company to manufacture it's own line of kid's bikes.
- Features smaller wheels -- the perfect choice for kids.
- On our Family Trips, you'll find 20"" and 24"" bikes.
Included in your trip price
- For children up to 85 pounds
- Attaches to an adult bike with your child providing some of the pedal power for a real team effort!
- Ideal for kids who aren't yet ready for bike touring.
- Cannot be pulled by an e-bike.
Dates & Prices
Dates & Prices
Click on dates for pricing, itinerary variations (if any) and to book your trip. Price is per person, double occupancy in USD.
Please Select a Group Size
Group size is required to show per-person pricing. Your group size can be approximate and can change.
