Got an outdoor enthusiast in your family, or are you itching to get some fresh air among the trees, mountains, and rivers that make East Tennessee an outdoor lover’s dream?
Surrounded be some of the best outdoor activities in the area, a stay in White Pine can get you from your car to the trail in no time flat without all the traffic and congestion of local tourist destinations.
Ready to feed your wild side? Ready to save travel time and enjoy more time making memories with your family? Ready to get the most out of what East Tennessee has to offer? Here are seven can’t miss outdoor experiences that are all within an hour drive of historic downtown White Pine.
Great Smoky Mountains National Park – 30 miles from downtown White Pine
This national park is the most visited in the country for good reason. Many areas of the park are easily accessible to novice outdoor lovers, and it boasts an incredible biodiversity. It’s also stunningly beautiful.
From the heart of White Pine, you can be in the park after just a 45 minute drive. From this access point, you’ll be near the famous Foothills Parkway, the Big Creek area of the park, and peaks like Mount Cammerer (4,921 ft) and Mount Sterling (5,804 ft).
Fishing at Douglas Lake – 4 miles from downtown White Pine
Got an angler in your life? Douglas Lake is the perfect spot to wet a line and reel in a big one.
Rated as one of the top five crappie fishing lakes in the nation, Douglas Lake is also top 10 in the nation for largemouth bass and has been named a Bassmaster Top 100 Lake. With the Great Smoky Mountains as the backdrop for your day on the water, Douglas Lake is about 28,000 acres full of excellent fishing opportunities and chances to tell great stories about the ones that got away!
Besides crappie and largemouth bass, you can also fish for sauger, white bass and bluegill throughout the year.
Swann’s Marina – 6.9 miles from downtown White Pine
Want a day on the lake but don’t have a boat? Swann’s Marina has what you need.
The marina offers pontoon and smaller boat options for rent so you can spend the day fishing or taking the family out for an afternoon on the water. Half and full day rates are available for weekdays, while full day rates are available for weekends.
Mossy Creek Wildlife Viewing Area – 13 miles from downtown White Pine
For the bird watchers of the world, Mossy Creek Wildlife Viewing Area is a must-see.
The Mossy Creek Wildlife Viewing Area is a 23-acre wildlife preserve that protects the wetlands and grasslands area of the slow-moving Mossy Creek.
Within the Mossy Creek Wildlife Viewing Area are two covered wildlife viewing spaces where a total of 118 species of birds have been identified. These wetland-loving birds include wood ducks, great egrets, great and little blue herons, black-crowned night herons, and belted kingfishers.
Bald eagles have also been observed flying over the wetlands, along with grasslands birds like eastern bluebirds, northern mockingbirds, eastern towhees, and several species of sparrows. 35 species of birds have been confirmed as nesting on the site.
Other wildlife are active in the wetland, including beavers, various species of turtles, otters, and muskrats.
Briarwood Ranch Safari Park – 12 miles from downtown White Pine
Have kids who love animals? Here’s an easy way to be their hero.
Briarwood Ranch Safari Park features dozens of exotic animals you can experience from the comfort of your own car. The scenic, four-mile safari through the beautiful hills surrounding White Pine features animals from six continents, including zebras, bison, llamas, and ostriches.
According to the Briarwood Ranch website, many of these animals have been rescued or are endangered in the wild, so take the short trip for a rare opportunity to experience some spectacular animals.
Skydive East Tennessee – 18 miles from downtown White Pine
Ready for the thrill of a lifetime?
Skydive East Tennessee offers the thrill seeker in your life the chance of a lifetime. Your experience includes a 20 minute plane ride up to 11,000 feet elevation, and a 60-second free fall as you enjoy the majestic views of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and Douglas Lake.
Skydive East Tennessee also owns their own airport, providing a complete experience for you and your risk-taking loved ones.
Historic White Pine is an Outdoor Lover’s Dream
East Tennessee has some incredible experiences in the outdoors. From fishing to hiking, for thrill seekers and animal lovers, or for the kid in you who just loves seeing colorful balloons soaring across the sky, White Pine is the perfect place to stay to give you a true East Tennessee experience. Sitting just over 40 miles northeast of Knoxville, Tennessee, White Pine is easily accessible from several major cities in the Southeast. This picturesque community is filled with family-owned businesses, local eateries, bookstore, and libraries. Come visit us on your next trip out of town with the people you love, and experience why we’re proud of our historic and growing little town.