Breathe in that refreshing, clean mountain air, while exploring the great outdoors on our Appalachian hiking trails. Create long-lasting family memories while horseback riding, skiing, biking, fishing or golfing in Eastern Tennessee’s pristine mountain country.
Horseback Riding and Hay Rides
Dogwood Springs Ranch
Right next door to Iron Mountain Inn! One-hour guided mountain trail rides. Open everyday.
Or gather a group of friends and family for a jolly hayride! There are also scheduled hay rides throughout the year. Call for a schedule. 423-768-2050
Directions: Come to the Inn, settle in, put on your riding clothes (hard shoes and long pants preferred), and right next door you will find the perfect horse for you.
Virginia Creeper Biking/Hiking Trail
http://www.vacreepertrail.com
The whole family will enjoy biking the famous Virginia Creeper Trail in Damascus, VA. Rent a bike
( www.thebike-station.com) or bring your own, but start at the top of White Top Mountain because then the ride is all (well almost all) downhill! Just about when you think it would be nice to grab a bite or a drink, there is the Trailside Café. Drop your bike on the grass and grab some refreshments. Then continue on down into Damascus, VA stopping for an ice cream cone at the Ice Cream Parlor.
If you want a more challenging ride, start in Abingdon, VA at the old railroad depot in town and ride along the river, over the bridges and take time to stop at the Winery for a tour and a taste. Then when you return to Damascus, stop in at the Dairy King for a delicious chicken sandwich and brown cow.
Or, if you have your own bike, let us take you to Damascus where we will leave your car, while we take you into Abingdon. Explore this charming 18th century town, enjoy lunch at the Starving Artist restaurant, or take in a matinee at the Barter Theatre, then ride back to your car on the 17 mile section of the Virginia Creeper Trail which starts at the old railroad station.
Mountain Golfing
http://www.redtailmountain.com
Enjoy 18 holes of golf on one of the country's most beautiful golf courses - Red Tail Mountain. Sam Adams, pro, offers a challenging course where the ball flies forever. Tournaments throughout the season (March-November depending on the weather).
And if you want other course suggestions, just give us a call. There are many fine courses in the area that welcome guests from "away."
Helicopter Tour of the Mountains, Lakes and Forests
Experience our mountains, lakes and streams from a bird's eye view. Call 423-727-0129. An experience of a lifetime.
Hiking Trails and Waterfall Hikes
We are in the middle of “hiker’s heaven.” Sections of the Appalachian Trail for a day or even an overnight hike. Let us drop your car at the end, and we’ll take you to a good starting point for a 4-hour or 6-hour hike. Shorter hikes also available.
Hike up to Gentry Creek Falls, which is listed by National Geographic’s Traveler Magazine as one of the best hikes in the country. Lots of water crossings. Or enjoy the Laurel Falls hike which is part of the Appalachian Trail.
Walk the fitness trail at TN’s Sycamore Shoals State Park. See where the Overmountain Men crossed as they gathered for the march to Kings Mountain and the decisive battle of the Revolutionary War fought there.
Enjoy walking over the world’s shortest railroad tunnel at BackBone Rock and continuing along Beaver Dam Creek – also a great fishing stream.
For a warm-up hike, there is the 2-mile mountain trail with a short extension right on the grounds of the Iron Mountain Inn.
Grandfather Mountain (about an hour’s drive) has some challenging rock climbs and nature hikes (www.grandfathermountain.com). This is a recognized biosphere and habitat. Well worth the trip, part of which is along the famous Blue Ridge Parkway and Linville Viaduct.
Fishing
Our streams and lakes are stocked with rainbow, brown and lake trout, as well as bass, walleye and carp. Bring your fishing boat and participate in some of the tournaments held throughout the year. Check the website: www.tntoutdoors.com for more information.
Rent a fishing boat to explore Watauga Lake on your own. Fish Springs Marina 423-768-2336 ( www.fishspringsmarina.com) has pontoon boats and fishing boats. Or, just cast a line into the waters of the streams rushing down out of the mountains for some of the finest, undiscovered fishing in the country. Shhhh, don’t tell anyone!
Check out our Water Sports and Activities page for more information.
Skiing
Nearby Beech Mountain, Seven Devils and Appalachian Ski Mountain offer excellent downhill skiing starting in December through early March, depending on the weather. All the areas make snow, so there is skiing day and night. There is also skating and other winter sports. We are about 40 minutes drive through the mountains to Beech.
Bristol Motor Speedway
Featuring the NASCAR Busch Series, NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series and other events.
The Speedway also offers tours of the track (it is steeply banked!!) by bus and explains some of the back stage aspects of the track. Visit the box of the owner of the Speedway! See the Drag Strip!
They also have ice skating during November, December until mid-January.
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