Elizabethton, TN Outdoor Activities

Wahoo’s Adventures refers to itself as the “original” whitewater outfitter, having facilitated outdoor excursions on rafts, tubes, canoes, and kayaks for the past three decades. Whitewater-rafting tours take place upon the Watauga River, the Nolichucky River, and Wilson Creek Gorge, three waterways with differing levels of frothiness, much like three cappuccinos ordered by a family of bears. Alternatively, adults without rafting experience and children as young as 6 months can lazily drift down the New River while sprawled across tubes. As they pass rugged hillsides and scenic farmland, tubers can smell wildflowers, listen to chirping birds, and keep eyes peeled for Sasquatch footprints. Keeping clients safe is Wahoo’s main priority, which is why their experienced guides equip adventurers with high-quality life jackets, helmets, and paddles before taking the water.

As patrons enter the historic train depot for their aquatic lessons, there's a good chance they'll be escorted inside by RiverGirl's dedicated mascot, Ms. Petunia the pig. Guests who don't succumb to Ms. Petunia's persuasive pleas for 13-hour belly scratches can experience Todd's untamed natural beauty by kayaking or tubing down the peaceful waters of the New River or taking a guided fishing trip with RiverGirl's founder, Kelly McCoy. As a fisheries biologist, Kelly's passion for what is believed by some to be the oldest river (second only to the Nile) helps visitors and locals enjoy the surrounding landscape with conservation-conscious activities.

The clopping of hooves echoes across Winding Creek Stables’ wide-open pastures and jumping arena, where a staff of ex-competitive equestrians takes a comprehensive approach to riding instruction. In private and group lessons, instructors share their wisdom about handling and technique while impressing upon students the importance of respecting their steeds. Adults and children alike can pick between the hunt-seat riding style popular at horse shows and the western style, which includes instructions for chasing down robber barons and lassoing feral cacti. Students learn to groom and care for their horses before and after the lesson—a gesture of respect to the animals and a key takeaway should novices desire to advance to competitive riding. Before riding off into the sunset, check out the stable’s other horse-related services, which include pony parties and pony rides.

Tropical Gardens Miniature Golf strips away the cartoonish aspects of the game found on many courses, instead situating its 18 putting greens amid a diverse landscape of ponds and blooming floras. As a waterfall trickles nearby, a flamboyance of fake flamingos perches under the shade of a tree, silently observing golfers' mannerisms to use in their upcoming novel. Aside from navigating the miniature fairways, players can swing at baseballs in the batting cages or reunite quarters with their captive brethren in the video arcade.

Sprawled across 140 acres of mountainous backcountry, more than one mile of steel cable suspends from the trees, forming ten zipline tracks that glide throughout the canopy. On the ground below, a swinging bridge spans the mountainside, and a cliff jump offers an immediate path to the terrain below. To some, this sounds like the set of an action movie, but it’s actually the zipline course at Sky Valley Zip Tours, and it’s open to the public.

The guides at Sky Valley Zip Tours offer outdoor adventures that introduce guests to the thrill of ziplining while also learning about the local flora and fauna. They cap groups at 10 people, led by at least two guides who expertly navigate the tracks, which were professionally designed, constructed, and made safe by Challenge Design Innovations. Trips include all equipment, including helmets, harnesses, and translators to communicate with feral tightrope walkers.