River Magic: An Easy Smoky Mountain Guided Walk
Overview
Slow down beside one of the Smokies’ biggest and among the most beautiful mountain rivers. River Magic is an easy guided walk designed for guests who want the peace of moving water, forest shade, deep pools, sparkling cascades, wildflowers, and stories of the landscape without a demanding climb and without the crowds.
This gentle riverside experience blends natural beauty with interpretation from an expert guide. You’ll learn about the plants, wildlife, stream life, and human history connected to these mountain valleys while enjoying one of the most approachable ways to experience Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
Best for: Families, beginners, seniors, first-time visitors, nature lovers, and anyone who wants an easy guided river walk near Gatlinburg.
Duration: 3.5 Hours | Difficulty: Easy | Mileage: 4.2 Miles | Elevation Change: 300’ | Ages: All
Meeting Location: Sugarlands Visitors Center
What's Included
- Snacks: peanut based (peanut butter crackers, trail mix and/or fruit snacks)
- Professional guide
- Gratuities are appreciated for good service.
- Lunch
- Drinks are not provided. Bring plenty of water.
- Transportation to/from attractions
- Parking Tag not included. Contact us or purchase here: www.recreation.gov/activitypass/AP2510
Meeting Location
1420 Fighting Creek Gap Road
Gatlinburg, TN 37738, USA
Detailed check-in instructions, including the exact address, are provided with your booking confirmation.
603 Little River Trail
Gatlinburg, TN 37738, USA
You will end your tour here. Since you will have followed the guide to the trailhead in your own vehicle, you are free to explore the area further if you'd like or head out.
What To Expect
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Great Smoky Mountains National Park
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Additional Info
- Confirmation is instant and will be received at time of booking
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Rating: the difficulty of this tour is easy
- Children must be accompanied by an adult
- Gratuity of 10 to 20% recommended for good service
- Operates in all weather conditions, please dress appropriately
- Please note that, while we do our best to follow the itinerary listed, we may need to pivot due to road closures or events outside of our control. We require a minimum of 2 people to operate this tour. We operate rain or shine.
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 11 travelers
Frequently Asked Questions (7)
Q: What is the cancellation policy for the River Magic: An Easy Smoky Mountain Guided Walk?
Cancellation Policy
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Activity code: C-26480P2
Traveler Photos
Reviews
Average 4.98 out of 5 stars based on 48 traveler reviews collected by City Balloon Tours and partner sites such as Cool Destinations and TripAdvisor
Additional Info
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Frequently Asked Questions (7)
The answers provided below were previously given in response to questions from City Balloon Tours customers.
Filter by:
- For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the tour start time.
- If you cancel less than 24 hours before the tour start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
- Any changes made less than 24 hours before the tour start time will not be accepted.
- Cut-off times are based on the tour local time (EST).
- This tour requires a minimum number of travelers. If it’s canceled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund.
- Snacks: peanut based (peanut butter crackers, trail mix and/or fruit snacks).
- Professional guide.
- Gratuities are appreciated for good service.
- Lunch.
- Drinks are not provided. Bring plenty of water.
- Transportation to/from attractions.
- Parking Tag not included. Contact us or purchase here: www.recreation.gov/activitypass/AP2510.
The minimum age to participate is 3. This tour requires at least one adult to accompany children..
Apr 2025If a date or time is not listed on the calendar, it’s sold out or unavailable for another reason. Support cannot assist further if a date or time is not on the calendar.
If you find a date and time that works for you, book it NOW because things always sell out at this time of year.
Apr 2025Accessibility information for the River Magic: An Easy Smoky Mountain Guided Walk is as follows:
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Detailed check-in instructions – including meeting point address, Google map, and parking information – for River Magic: An Easy Smoky Mountain Guided Walk will be included in your confirmation email from City Balloon Tours. Please be sure to double and triple check your email address is correct at checkout so this important email makes its way to you!
Mar 2024Once your refund is processed, it usually shows on your card statement within 5–10 business days. The exact timing depends on your bank or card issuer.
Want it sooner? When you cancel, choose Receive a refund to my wallet instead. The credit is in your Wallet straight away and is applied automatically at checkout on your next booking when you’re signed in with the same email. You can see your balance any time in My Wallet.
If you paid part of your booking with Wallet credit, that part always goes back to your Wallet. Trip protection isn’t refundable.
Oct 2026What's Included
- Snacks: peanut based (peanut butter crackers, trail mix and/or fruit snacks)
- Professional guide
- Gratuities are appreciated for good service.
- Lunch
- Drinks are not provided. Bring plenty of water.
- Transportation to/from attractions
- Parking Tag not included. Contact us or purchase here: www.recreation.gov/activitypass/AP2510
Additional Info
- Confirmation is instant and will be received at time of booking
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Rating: the difficulty of this tour is easy
- Children must be accompanied by an adult
- Gratuity of 10 to 20% recommended for good service
- Operates in all weather conditions, please dress appropriately
- Please note that, while we do our best to follow the itinerary listed, we may need to pivot due to road closures or events outside of our control. We require a minimum of 2 people to operate this tour. We operate rain or shine.
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 11 travelers
