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Enjoy the sights and sounds of the Great Smoky Mountains with an outdoor adventure. Known as the "Land of the Noonday Sun" by the Cherokee nation, this parkland lies in the mountains and valleys of southwestern North Carolina. It encompasses more than 530,000 acres of glorious wilderness waiting to be explored. From a scenic train ride to whitewater rafting, here are four fun things to do in the Nantahala National Forest. Go Pitch a Tent There's nothing quite like sleeping under the stars at one of America's best national parks. Nantahala offers a variety of recreational area campsites and cabins. Whether you enjoy the solitude of a backcountry campsite or the convenience of indoor plumbing for you and your family, pitch a tent or park an RV at one of many assigned spots. Well-appointed Balsam Lake Lodge is surrounded by the Blue Ridge Mountains and sits near a fishing pond. Why not rough-it this year at Hurricane Creek Horse and Primitive Campground? Located in the midst of a multitude of trails, this site is set up for the equestrian camper with stalls, a vault toilet, and fire rings. Hop on the designated horse trails directly from this camp. more Head Off the Beaten Path With over 1,600 miles of trails, Nantahala offers plenty of opportunities for hikers, mountain bikers, and horse-back riders to get off the beaten path. For many outdoor enthusiasts, exploring a trail is the best way to enjoy the country's national forests. This park touts a variety of opportunities awaiting you, from short, easy walks to multi-day trips. Start with the Big Fat Gap Trailhead or try a long-distance backpacking adventure as you'll find on the Bartram Trail TR67. Take a Train Ride All aboard the Nantahala Gorge Excursion. Ride alongside the scenic Nantahala River on a real train. This four and a half hour journey departs from the Bryson City Depot and heads 44 miles to the Nantahala Gorge and back again. Cross Fontana Lake via the historic Fontana Trestle bridge on either a diesel or a steam locomotive. Arrive at the Nantahala Outdoor Center for a one-hour layover, then relax by the river or enjoy sightseeing. The trains are ready and waiting on the tracks now through the end of October. Experience the Thrill of Whitewater Rafting Embark on a fully-guided whitewater tour of the Nantahala River. Covering 8 miles in just over 3 hours, this beginner level rafting trip is a popular way to experience fun rapids under the watchful eye of an experienced professional. Have a great time with this trip's delightful mountain scenery and crystal-clear waters of the spectacular Nantahala Gorge. Rafters over seven years of age will travel through bouncing waves, splash along fast currents, and soak up the beauty of the surrounding forest during the occasional calm spots. Visitors to the Nantahala National Forest enjoy a wide variety of recreational activities. From a wilderness hike to a thrilling backpacking adventure, there's something for everyone in the family to enjoy. Image via Flickr by Razvan Orendovici under use of CC BY 2.0

Fall is the ideal time of year to spend time under the sun. Get outside and enjoy yourself at one of these great places near Lenoir City, Tennessee. Deep Well Farm Load up the kids and head to Deep Well Farm at 9567 U.S. 11 East for an exciting outdoor adventure that's terrific for the whole family. Visit the resident animals, including pigs, ducks, chickens, goats, sheep, donkey, cows, and miniature horses. Play on the stationary tractor, slides, and rope wall. Throughout October, browse the patch and find the perfect pumpkin for carving, get lost in the corn maze, and climb aboard the hay wagon for a ride around the farm. Get into all three attractions for one low package price of just $18. Don't forget to pack a lunch and have a picnic at the pavilion, then go for a stroll around the duck pond. At Deep Well Farm, there's plenty of room to run and play. more Denjo Stables Horse lovers are invited to spend the day in the saddle at Denjo Stables. Located at 15342 Hotchkiss Valley Road East in nearby Loudon, this full-service equestrian facility offers English or Western riding lessons and family-fun adventure rides. Each lesson works with the rider's experience and confidence level in mind. Denjo Stables even offers equine and farm day enrichment study classes for homeschooled students. Head out on a five-hour trek through Lone Mountain State Forest on Oct. 5, 2019. Lone Mountain is one of Tennessee's most prominent mountains, rising over 1,000 feet. Rider's seven and up will journey to the overlook, then enjoy a picnic lunch before heading back to the barn. The Lenoir City Cotton Mill Why not explore the historic site of the Lenoir City Cotton Mill? Built in the early 1820s to manufacture cotton yarn, the mill once served as a civil-war era general store and a flour mill, which operated until the 1950s. It's one of the earliest remaining examples of industrial architecture in the area. The Lenoir Cotton Mill Association worked tirelessly since the 1980s to stabilize and restore what's left of this fascinating structure. It has even survived an arson attempt in 1991 and is now a prime destination on the "walking tour" of Lenior City. It's located just off U.S. Route 1, near the corner of Depot and South Hill Streets downtown. Tellico Reservoir and Dam Get outside and spend the day at Tellico Reservoir and Dam. This lake covers 16,000 acres and provides guests with 357 miles of shoreline. Launch your boat from one of two ramps or fish from the shore. Kayakers will enjoy a relaxing 11-mile float down TellicoBlueway or take your adventure overland on one of the area's many year-round hiking trails including the East Lakeshore Trail, a recently designated National Recreation Trail or the quick, two-mile Beach Trail. Get outdoors today at any one of these fun and exciting destinations. From hiking to exploring a historic site, there's something for everyone to see and do. Image via Flickr by Five Furlongs under use of CC BY-ND 2.0