Smoky Mountain Elk & Waterfall Jeep Tour
Description
• Guided safari-style Jeep tour through Great Smoky Mountains National Park • Scenic Blue Ridge Parkway adventure through 5 historic mountain tunnels • 20+ mile mountain views from elevations over a mile high • Panoramic overlooks across Cherokee and deep into the Smokies • 99% elk sighting success rate on PM Elk Tours • Explore prime elk and wildlife habitat • Possible sightings of elk, deer, wild turkey, black bears, and more • Visit 120-foot Mingo Falls on the Qualla Boundary • Explore historic Occonaluftee Baptist Church and local legends • Scenic drive across Soco Gap at 4,340 feet elevation • Guided by local Cherokee & Appalachian descendant guides • Authentic Smoky Mountain storytelling and history • Incredible scenic and wildlife photography opportunities • Small-group open-air safari Jeep experience
Tour Options
Itinerary
Departure – Maggie Valley, NC Begin your adventure in Maggie Valley, North Carolina, before climbing nearly 3 miles to the top of the mountain toward the Blue Ridge Parkway. Blue Ridge Parkway Scenic Drive
Blue Ridge Parkway Scenic Drive Travel 14 scenic miles along the breathtaking Blue Ridge Parkway while enjoying panoramic mountain views from mile-high elevations. Along the route, guests pass through 5 historic mountain tunnels on the descent toward Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
Great Smoky Mountains National Park Enter Great Smoky Mountains National Park and explore peaceful mountain valleys, rivers, forests, scenic overlooks, and prime elk and wildlife habitat throughout the Oconaluftee region. Elk & Wildlife Viewing Search for wild elk and other native Smoky Mountain wildlife including deer, wild turkey, black bears, and more in one of the best wildlife viewing areas in the Smokies. Oconaluftee Baptist Church Visit the historic Oconaluftee Baptist Church, one of the oldest churches in the Smoky Mountains, known for its Appalachian history, peaceful mountain setting, and local haunted legends. Mingo Falls Experience breathtaking Mingo Falls, a stunning 120-foot waterfall located on the Qualla Boundary (Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians Reservation), and one of the hidden natural gems near Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
Cherokee, North Carolina Explore the picturesque mountain village of Cherokee, NC, rich in Cherokee heritage, Appalachian culture, mountain history, and Smoky Mountain charm. Soco Gap Scenic Return Cross scenic Soco Gap at 4,340 feet elevation while enjoying sweeping mountain views on the return journey back to Maggie Valley.
Highlights
What's included
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Service animals allowed
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Reviews(16)
We did this tour on 6/24/26 and had a wonderful time and the weather was perfect. Bryan was very good in giving us information about the area and about the Cherokee history. The walk to the falls was 163 steps up but the view was wonderful. And it was amazing the amount of elk that we saw. I would do this tour again.
Our guide Brian was very knowledgeable about the area. We loved Seeing elk up close, as Well as learning so much about the history of the Cherokee people. The scenery was gorgeous, and we loved every stop! I highly recommend this tour as a great addition to your vacation!
Bryan was an excellent tour guide that shared a lot of interesting facts about the area and the Cherokee people. He was very kind and patient with us as we took our time to explore and occasionally stop to use a restroom. The waterfall was magnificent, there were plenty of elk grazing near the roads we traveled, and the views from the Blue Ridge Parkway were beautiful. We learned a lot about the culture of the local Cherokee tribe. My girlfriend and I are definitely interested in trying out one of his other adventures in the future.
Thank you so much for the thoughtful and wonderful review! We’re thrilled to hear you and your girlfriend had such a great experience exploring the Smoky Mountains with Bryan. One of the things we pride ourselves on is creating a relaxed and enjoyable adventure where guests can truly take in the scenery, wildlife, waterfalls, and local culture at their own pace. We’re so glad you enjoyed seeing the elk, the breathtaking overlooks along the Blue Ridge Parkway, and the beautiful waterfall experience. Bryan truly loves sharing the history, stories, and culture of the Cherokee people and surrounding mountain communities, so it means a lot to hear that you learned so much during your tour. Thank you again for choosing Scenic Tours and Adventures. We’d absolutely love to have you both back for another adventure in the future! 🏔️🦌🚙💦
This tour was so great! We learned a lot about Cherokee history and even got a singing experience. Highly recommend it!
Thank you so much for the wonderful review! We’re so glad you had such a great time and enjoyed learning about Cherokee history and culture during your adventure. And getting a singing experience along the way definitely makes for a memorable mountain tour! 😄 We love creating experiences that are not only scenic and fun, but also unique and meaningful for our guests. Thank you again for the recommendation and for choosing Scenic Tours and Adventures. We hope to see you back in the Smoky Mountains again soon! 🏔️🚙🎶
Amazing tour. A must do! Bryan did an incredible job of teaching us about the Cherokee Pepole and the history and wildlife of the area.
Thank you so much for the amazing review! We’re thrilled to hear you had such a great experience and felt the tour was a must-do while visiting the Smoky Mountains. Bryan is passionate about sharing the history, culture, and traditions of the Cherokee people, along with the wildlife and natural beauty of the area, so it means a lot to hear you enjoyed learning throughout the adventure. Thank you again for choosing Scenic Tours and Adventures. We truly appreciate the kind words and hope to see you back for another mountain adventure soon! 🏔️🦌🚙
Very informative about the area they take pictures and videos of your trip and give it to you at the end of your trip.We would recommend this to anyone looking for something to do in the area
Thank you so much for the great review! We’re so glad you enjoyed the adventure and found the tour informative and memorable. We love sharing the history, wildlife, Cherokee culture, and hidden beauty of the Smoky Mountains with our guests. We’re also happy you enjoyed the complimentary photos and videos from your trip — we know those memories are something special to take home and look back on! Thank you again for the recommendation and for choosing Scenic Tours and Adventures. We truly appreciate it and hope to see you back in the mountains again soon! 🏔️🚙📸✨
This was a fantastic tour. Brian, our guide was a wealth of knowledge that he shared with us. The countryside and mountain tops were beautiful. We went places we never dreamed we would go. We opted not to get into a 35 minute, or more traffic jam to go see the Elk and did more trails. We still saw elk on our way back which was great as they were very close and we're able to get great pictures of a cow and two young ones. Would highly recommend this tour if you are into nature and mountain vistas.
Thank you so much for the incredible review! We’re thrilled to hear you had such a fantastic adventure exploring the Smoky Mountains with Bryan. One of the things we love most about our tours is being able to take guests beyond the typical tourist stops and into places they may never have discovered on their own. We’re so glad you enjoyed the mountain vistas, scenic backroads, and wildlife encounters along the way. And sometimes avoiding the traffic leads to even better adventures! Seeing the elk up close on the way back — especially a cow with her young — sounds like a perfect ending to the day. 🦌📸 Bryan truly enjoys sharing the history, culture, and hidden beauty of the area, so it means a lot to hear how much you appreciated the experience. Thank you again for the recommendation and for choosing Scenic Tours and Adventures. We hope to see you back for another unforgettable mountain adventure soon! 🏔️🚙✨
1000/10 recommend this place! Brian was an absolutely amazing guide! He gave us all kinds of info and history about the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, local vegetation and wildlife, was personable with all 8 of us, and took us to see the wild elk in the national park! I learned so much about the tribe that I didn't know, which has made me gain more respect for Native peoples than I already do! It really was so much fun and worth the price of it (especially if you smoke & do the adults only tour😉)! Kids and adults alike would have a blast on the basic tours.
Thank you so much for this incredible review! Hearing “1000/10” absolutely made our day! 😄 We’re so thrilled you and your group had such an amazing experience exploring the Smoky Mountains and Cherokee area with Bryan. One of the most important parts of our tours is sharing the history, culture, and traditions of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians in a respectful and meaningful way while also showcasing the beauty of the mountains, wildlife, and local hidden gems. We’re so happy to hear the experience left such a positive impact and gave you an even deeper appreciation for Native culture and history. Seeing the wild elk in the national park, learning about the local plants and wildlife, and creating a fun atmosphere for the whole group is exactly what we strive for on every adventure. And we definitely appreciate the shoutout to our adults-only experiences too 😉🌿 Thank you again for choosing Scenic Tours and Adventures. We truly appreciate the recommendation and hope to see all of you back in the Smokies for another unforgettable adventure soon! 🏔️🦌🚙✨
This tour was an awesome adventure. Brian, our tour guide, shared his knowledge about the Cherokee history of the area. Brian also knew where the elk usually hang out, and we saw lots of these beautiful animals. This tour is an excellent value for the cost, and definitely worth your time!!
Thank you so much for the awesome review! We’re thrilled to hear you had such a great adventure exploring the Smoky Mountains with Bryan. Sharing the history and culture of the Cherokee area while also helping guests experience the incredible wildlife and mountain scenery is what these tours are all about. And spotting lots of elk always makes the day even more memorable! 🦌 We truly appreciate your kind words about the value of the experience as well. Thank you again for choosing Scenic Tours and Adventures, and we hope to see you back for another unforgettable adventure in the mountains soon! 🏔️🚙✨
This was a great tour with a fantastic guide who gave us history of the Cherokees and knew exactly where the elk were. He was kind, patient , had extensive knowledge of the area and a beautiful singing voice.
Thank you so much for the wonderful review! We’re thrilled to hear you had such a great experience and enjoyed learning about Cherokee history, local wildlife, and the Smoky Mountains during your adventure. Bryan truly loves sharing his knowledge of the area and making every tour personal, memorable, and fun for guests. And yes — every now and then guests get an unexpected live soundtrack along with the mountain views and elk sightings! 😄🎶🦌 We truly appreciate your kind words and thank you for choosing Scenic Tours and Adventures. We hope to welcome you back for another unforgettable adventure soon! 🏔️🚙✨
