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
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.
Visit the breathtaking Mingo Falls, one of the tallest waterfalls in the Southern Appalachians. Standing approximately 120 feet tall, this spectacular cascade showcases the incredible beauty of the Smoky Mountains and offers a peaceful stop to experience the power and artistry of nature.
Elk and Wildlife Sightings Step into the wild heart of Great Smoky Mountains National Park on an unforgettable wildlife adventure. Travel through scenic mountain valleys renowned for their thriving elk population, where you’ll have excellent opportunities about 99% chance to observe these magnificent animals in their natural habitat. Along the way, watch for wild turkeys, white-tailed deer, hawks, eagles, and other native wildlife as you experience the breathtaking landscapes that make the Smokies one of the most iconic national parks in the country.
Discover the living history of the Cherokee people at the Oconaluftee Indian Village. Explore traditional Cherokee life, watch talented artisans at work, and gain a deeper appreciation for one of America’s oldest living cultures.
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.
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(22)
The whole experience was awesome and learning full! Saw Elk and a beautiful waterfall!! Bryan was exceptionally knowledgeable! Bryan was a wonderful guide!!
This was an amazing tour. Bryan is very knowledgeable about the history, culture and animals of the area. He is also very friendly and made the tour fun. I highly recommend this tour.
We had a good experience! Bryan was really knowledgeable about the Cherokee Nation and the mountains! He kept us entertained the whole ride. We saw a ton of elk, such a cool experience! The church we visited was beautiful and the mungo Falls was breathtakingly beautiful! Definitely will recommend this trip to everyone and possibly go back!
What an outstanding experience! I learned so much about the Cherokee people…their customs, beliefs, and how deeply they care for each other. Hearing our guide sing Amazing Grace in the Cherokee language inside a very old, historic church was profoundly moving. Seeing baby elk was very special! Our guide made numerous stops where he took photos of our family groups and then shared them with us at the end of the tour. He was equal parts hilarious, informative and extremely kind. This is the highlight of our trip!
This tour was phenomenal! Bryan Hickman gives an amazingly well rounded tour and describes all of the locations and their history as you travel through the Blue Ridge Parkway, Cherokee Qualla, and the Great Smoky National Park. As a member of the Eastern Band of the Cherokee, he is highly knowledgeable and answered all questions well. My husband and I live in nearby Asheville and we will definitely be bringing our guests down to Maggie Valley to experience this great tour again. This is one of those tours you should not miss.
Tour was very educational and perfect! We stopped at a few laces to get pictures, ventured to a waterfall, learned about the Cherokee, and saw plenty of wildlife including elk, turkeys and a black bear!! Guide did a fantastic job!
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! 🏔️🚙🎶
