9 Mountain Activities for Kids and Teens

1 Fly Through the Sky

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Choose from two tours, both about 2.5 hours long and led by friendly and experienced guides. The Treetop Tour includes zip lines up to 1,250 feet long and 200 feet high that are strung through the forest canopy, a bridge, spiral tree staircase and rappelling at the end. The Mountaintop Tour's side-by-side dual zip lines stretch up to three-quarters of a mile between mountaintops. Its views and 65 mph speeds will leave you breathless. While zip line experience isn’t necessary, rider requirements for each differ; check the website for specifics. If you’d prefer to keep your feet on the ground while waiting for others, the brook-side picnic tables are perfect for soaking in the setting or reading a book.

Ideal for ages: 13 and up

3 Sample Mountain Life

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Located at Milepost 328.3, this is the perfect stop for little Blue Ridge Parkway travelers who need to stretch their legs. In the fall, enjoy fresh cider and sweet caramel apples while you pick fruit in the orchard. But fun doesn’t depend on the calendar. Grab an activity book that walks you through four hiking trails anytime, and enjoy live traditional mountain music or a game of checkers inside the orchard’s store. There you also can learn about the monarch butterflies raised onsite or purchase apples and canned goods, such as jam or pickles, to take home.

Ideal for ages: 2 to 12

4 Ride the Rails

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Shrill whistles and clacking train wheels have been calling families here for more than six decades. Ride the 3-mile loop behind one of two coal-fired steam locomotives, which chug through daily Wild West-themed excursions, complete with cowboys, robbers and plenty of excitement. Or plan your visit to coincide with one of the many special events such as visits by Thomas the Tank Engine and seasonal activities at Christmas and Halloween. There’s plenty to enjoy off the rails, including amusement rides, arcade games and refreshments. Take the chairlift to Miner’s Mountain, where you can pan for gold, ride in a boat or relax on a shaded bench.

Ideal for ages: 2 to 12

6 Climb One of Our Best-Known Landmarks

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Start on the 0.6-mile Great Woodland Adventure Trail, whose 12 interactive stations tell the stories of local animals, many of which you can meet at the Animal Discovery Den afterward. The 0.75-mile Hickory Nut Falls trail leads you to one of the East’s tallest waterfalls. The Outcroppings Trail’s 494 steps take you past the Grotto and Pulpit Rock and through the Subway, which always echoes with laughter. Save some time and energy to climb Chimney Rock, the 315-foot tall granite outcropping where views stretch 75 miles to Lake Lure and beyond. While hours and scenery change with the seasons, family dogs are always welcome. Just remember the leash.

Ideal for ages: 13 and up

9 Float the Day Away

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Grab an inner tube at a number of rental locations near the entrance of Great Smoky Mountains National Park, carry it less than a mile on the Deep Creek Trail, and choose whether you want your ride to be relaxing and lazy or wild and bouncy. The upper whitewater section ends at a wide, deep swimming hole, while the lower, smoother section ends at the parking lot.