Guides, shops and venues

Guide services, gear shops and venues in the Southeast, A to Z. Listed from their public websites; they don't pay to be here and are never mixed into the communities.

All of the Southeast · just Western Carolinas · all regions · change

Alpharetta Recreation, Parks and Cultural Servicesvenue · Walking groups · Alpharetta, GA
City of Alpharetta, which runs parks and the Big Creek Greenway with recreation programs.
Amicalola Falls State Parkvenue · Waterfalls · Dahlonega, GA
State park west of Dahlonega with Georgia's tallest waterfall, the AT approach trail and ranger programs.
Anderson County Parksvenue · Walking groups · Anderson, SC
Anderson County parks department managing local parks, trails and lake access with community events.
Anne Springs Close Greenwayvenue · Day hikes · Rock Hill, SC
2,100-acre nature preserve near Rock Hill with trails, paddling rentals and nature programs.
Appalachian Ski Mtn.venue · Skiing & snowboarding · Blowing Rock
Family ski and snowboard area near Blowing Rock with terrain parks and an outdoor ice rink.
Aspire Parkvenue · Mountain biking · Clinton, TN
Free private park in Clinton with about 20 miles of bike and hiking trails, a pump track and river access.
Augusta Canal National Heritage Areavenue · Kayaking · Augusta, GA
Augusta canal and towpath with guided boat tours, paddling and trails.
Base Camp Cullowheevenue · Beginners welcome · Sylva, NC
Western Carolina University outdoor program running hiking, paddling and climbing trips and skills clinics near Sylva.
Beech Mountain Resortvenue · Skiing & snowboarding · Beech Mountain
High Country ski and snowboard resort with lift-served mountain biking and scenic lift rides in warmer months.
Bernheim Forest and Arboretumvenue · Day hikes · Clermont, KY
Research forest and arboretum south of Louisville with trails and guided nature programs.
BlocHavenvenue · Bouldering · Greenville, SC
Bouldering gym in a former mill in Greenville with a cafe, fitness area and yoga.
Camp Griervenue · Mountain biking · Old Fort, NC
Old Fort camp and outdoor center that hosts mountain bike programs, community events and G5 trail weekends.
Carolina Beach State Parkvenue · Day hikes · Wilmington, NC
State park near Wilmington with trails, a marina and ranger-led nature programs.
Cedars of Lebanon State Parkvenue · Day hikes · Murfreesboro, TN
State park near Lebanon, northeast of Murfreesboro, with cedar glade trails and ranger programs.
Central Rock Gym Atlantavenue · Indoor climbing · Atlanta, GA
Atlanta climbing gym on Presidential Parkway with bouldering, classes and belay instruction.
Central Rock Gym Kennesawvenue · Indoor climbing · Marietta, GA
Kennesaw climbing gym with roped climbing, bouldering, guided events and youth camps.
Central Rock Gym Tampavenue · Indoor climbing · Tampa, FL
South Tampa climbing gym with bouldering, auto belays and intro classes for all levels.
Charleston County Parksvenue · Birding · Charleston, SC
County parks system with bird walks, paddling, seashore exploration and other outdoor programs.
Chattahoochee Nature Centervenue · Birding · Roswell, GA
Nature center on the Chattahoochee with trails, guided walks, paddles and family programs.
Chattahoochee River National Recreation Areavenue · Kayaking · Atlanta, GA
National park units along the Chattahoochee with trails, paddling and ranger programs.
Chimney Rock at Chimney Rock State Parkvenue · Day hikes · Chimney Rock
Park around Chimney Rock and Hickory Nut Falls with trails, naturalist-led hikes and seasonal programs.
City of Roswell Recreationvenue · Walking groups · Roswell, GA
City of Roswell, which operates parks, trails and recreation programs.
Clarksville Parks and Recreationvenue · Kayaking · Clarksville, TN
Clarksville parks department with the Blueway paddle route, greenway and recreation programs.
Clemson University Forestvenue · Day hikes · Clemson, SC
17,500-acre university forest next to Clemson with public hiking, mountain biking and trail running trails such as Issaqueena Lake and Wildcat Creek Falls.
Coastal Discovery Museumvenue · Birding · Hilton Head, SC
Nature and history museum with guided tours, birding excursions and nature walks.
Cobb County Parksvenue · Walking groups · Marietta, GA
Cobb County parks department with trails, nature programs and recreation classes.
Columbus Parks and Recreationvenue · Walking groups · Columbus, GA
City parks department overseeing the RiverWalk and outdoor recreation programs.
Congaree National Parkvenue · Canoeing · Columbia, SC
National park near Columbia with ranger-led walks, canoe tours and owl prowls.
Croft State Parkvenue · Mountain biking · Spartanburg, SC
State park just outside Spartanburg with miles of hiking, biking and horse trails and ranger programs.
Crowders Mountain State Parkvenue · Day hikes · Gastonia, NC
State park outside Gastonia with 20-plus miles of trails, climbing and ranger programs.
Crux Climbingvenue · Indoor climbing · Tuscaloosa, AL
Climbing gym in Northport, across the river from Tuscaloosa.
Cumberland Falls State Resort Parkvenue · Day hikes · Corbin, KY
State park near Corbin with naturalist-led hikes on botany, reptiles, insects and fungi.
Danville Science Centervenue · Conservation volunteering · Danville, VA
Science museum with an outdoor River Lab for water-quality learning and a seasonal butterfly garden.
DeSoto State Parkvenue · Waterfalls · Fort Payne, AL
Lookout Mountain state park near Mentone with waterfalls, trails, climbing and naturalist programs.
Dunbar Cave State Parkvenue · Day hikes · Clarksville, TN
State park in Clarksville with wooded trails, cave tours and ranger programs.
Dunwoody Nature Centervenue · Walking groups · Atlanta, GA
Nature center in Dunwoody with trails, camps and public nature programs.
Durham Parks and Recreationvenue · Beginners welcome · Durham, NC
City of Durham parks programs, including nature outings, birding walks and outdoor activities.
Edenton National Fish Hatcheryvenue · Birding · Edenton, NC
Federal fish hatchery in Edenton with grounds and trails popular for birding and wildlife viewing.
Elachee Nature Science Centervenue · Walking groups · Gainesville, GA
Gainesville nature center in Chicopee Woods with trails, guided walks and public programs.
Fernbank Museum of Natural Historyvenue · Walking groups · Atlanta, GA
Atlanta natural history museum with 65 acres of forest trails and nature programs.
FIND Outdoors (Cradle of Forestry)venue · Conservation volunteering · Pisgah Forest
Pisgah Forest nonprofit for forest education and stewardship that runs the Cradle of Forestry and public lands sites in North Georgia, with evening programs, stargazing and family events.
Fire Mountain Trailsvenue · Mountain biking · Cherokee, NC
Free bike-optimized trail system owned by the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, home to the Fire Mountain Inferno race.
FirstHand Climbingvenue · Bouldering · Winston-Salem, NC
Downtown Winston-Salem bouldering gym.
Fish Cherokeevenue · Fly fishing · Cherokee, NC
Tribal fishing program for Cherokee waters that issues permits and runs family fishing days and tournaments.
Florida Museum of Natural Historyvenue · Conservation volunteering · Gainesville, FL
UF natural history museum in Gainesville with public nature programs and a butterfly rainforest.
Florida Springs Institutevenue · Conservation volunteering · Gainesville, FL
Gainesville-based springs science nonprofit with public education programs about Florida's springs.
Fontana Village Resortvenue · Day hikes · Robbinsville, NC
Resort and marina on Fontana Lake offering on-site and off-site guided hikes and bike and kayak rentals.
GadRockvenue · Indoor climbing · Gadsden, AL
Gadsden climbing gym.
Grandfather Mountainvenue · Day hikes · Linville
Nonprofit nature park near Linville with the Mile High Swinging Bridge, trails, wildlife habitats and naturalist programs.
Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundationvenue · Day hikes · Blowing Rock, NC
Nature park near Blowing Rock with daily naturalist programs, guided hikes and multi-day programs.
Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremontvenue · Day hikes · Maryville, TN
Residential learning center in the Smokies near Townsend with public naturalist programs and adult and family camps.
Greenville County Recreationvenue · Day hikes · Greenville County, SC
Greenville County parks events: festivals, park programs and outdoor activities.
Halyburton Park Nature Programs (City of Wilmington)venue · Birding · Wilmington, NC
City nature center at Halyburton Park with free first-Friday bird hikes, a monthly Walk and Learn series and nature workshops.
Harpeth River State Parkvenue · Canoeing · Nashville, TN
Linear state park along the Harpeth River west of Nashville with canoe access and short trails.
Henderson County Parks and Recreationvenue · Day hikes · Hendersonville, NC
County recreation department running free community hikes that meet in Hendersonville and carpool to trailheads.
High Point Climbing and Fitnessvenue · Indoor climbing · Chattanooga
Climbing gym founded in Chattanooga with downtown, Riverside and Cleveland locations, offering classes, clinics and community nights.
Huntsville Botanical Gardenvenue · Walking groups · Huntsville, AL
Huntsville botanical garden with nature trails and public classes and nature programs.
Ijams Nature Centervenue · Birding · Knoxville
Nonprofit nature center and urban wilderness on the Knoxville riverfront with trails and Mead's Quarry, running guided paddles, night hikes, bird banding and nature workshops.
Jackson County Parks and Recreationvenue · Day hikes · Sylva, NC
County recreation department that runs public programs including guided hikes such as Pinnacle Park outings.
Jefferson County Greenways (Red Mountain Park, Ruffner Mountain)venue · Day hikes · Birmingham, AL
Birmingham greenways group whose calendar has hikes, runs and workdays at Red Mountain and nature preserves.
Jockey's Ridge State Parkvenue · Walking groups · Nags Head, NC
Nags Head dune park with free ranger programs such as soundside nature hikes, birding and guided kayaking.
Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Parkvenue · Day hikes · Marietta, GA
National park in Marietta with 22 miles of hiking trails and ranger programs.
Keowee-Toxaway State Parkvenue · Day hikes · Pickens, SC
Lake Keowee state park in Pickens County with lakeside hiking trails, paddling and interpretive programs.
Lake Hartwell State Parkvenue · Kayaking · Anderson, SC
State park on Lake Hartwell west of Anderson with paddling, fishing, camping and ranger programs.
Lake Lurleen State Parkvenue · Mountain biking · Tuscaloosa, AL
State park near Tuscaloosa with about 25 miles of hiking and mountain bike trails and a lake.
Lexington Parks and Recreationvenue · Beginners welcome · Lexington, KY
City parks department running outdoor programs, nature sanctuaries and community events.
Little River Canyon National Preservevenue · Whitewater · Fort Payne, AL
National preserve on Lookout Mountain near Mentone with canyon hikes, whitewater and ranger programs.
Long Hunter State Parkvenue · Day hikes · Nashville, TN
State park on Percy Priest Lake east of Nashville with trails, paddling and ranger programs.
Merchants Millpond State Parkvenue · Canoeing · Edenton, NC
Cypress-swamp millpond state park north of Edenton known for canoeing, camping and ranger-led paddles.
Monte Sano State Parkvenue · Day hikes · Huntsville, AL
Mountaintop state park in Huntsville with trails, mountain biking and programs.
Mulberry Gap Adventure Basecampvenue · Mountain biking · Ellijay, GA
Mountain bike basecamp near Ellijay with trail access, shuttles, guided rides and hosted events.
Nags Head Woods Preservevenue · Day hikes · Nags Head, NC
Nature Conservancy maritime forest preserve with over 8 miles of trails and free guided hikes.
Nashville Metro Parks Nature Centersvenue · Birding · Nashville, TN
Metro Parks nature centers such as Warner Park and Shelby Bottoms with guided hikes and programs.
Noccalula Falls Parkvenue · Waterfalls · Gadsden, AL
Gadsden city park around a 90-foot waterfall with gorge trails, mountain bike routes and camping.
Norris Dam State Parkvenue · Day hikes · Clinton, TN
State park near Clinton with 21+ miles of trails and ranger-led hikes and nature programs.
North Carolina State Parks: Triangle and Piedmontvenue · Day hikes · Raleigh and the Piedmont
Ranger-led hikes, nature programs and volunteer days at North Carolina state parks around the Triangle and Piedmont.
North Carolina State Parks: Western NCvenue · Day hikes · Western North Carolina
Ranger-led hikes, nature programs and volunteer days at North Carolina state parks in the western mountains and foothills.
Oak Mountain State Parkvenue · Mountain biking · Pelham, AL
Large state park south of Birmingham with hiking, mountain biking, paddling and programs.
Ober Mountainvenue · Skiing & snowboarding · Gatlinburg
Small ski area and adventure park above Gatlinburg with ski and snowboard slopes in winter and attractions in warmer months.
Occoneechee Mountain State Natural Areavenue · Day hikes · Hillsborough, NC
State natural area in Hillsborough, the highest point in Orange County, with trails and ranger programs.
Oconaluftee Islands Parkvenue · Tubing · Cherokee, NC
River island park in Cherokee for wading, tubing and trout fishing, with evening storytelling by a bonfire.
Onsight Rock Gymvenue · Indoor climbing · Knoxville
Indoor climbing gym in west Knoxville with top rope, lead and bouldering, classes, and monthly community climbing nights including Queer Climbing Night and a BIPOC meet-up.
Orange County Parks and Recreationvenue · Walking groups · Orlando, FL
County parks system around Orlando with trails, springs and nature programs.
Outdoor Chattanoogavenue · Beginners welcome · Chattanooga
City outdoor recreation center by Coolidge Park running guided paddles, hikes, beginner bike classes and history tours.
Owl's Hill Nature Sanctuaryvenue · Walking groups · Franklin, TN
Nature sanctuary near Brentwood and Franklin offering guided hikes and nature programs.
Paris Mountain State Parkvenue · Day hikes · Greenville, SC
State park minutes from downtown Greenville with hiking and biking trails, a swimming lake and camping.
Pea Island National Wildlife Refugevenue · Birding · Nags Head, NC
Wildlife refuge south of Nags Head known for birding, with seasonal guided bird walks and programs.
Pettigrew State Parkvenue · Canoeing · Edenton, NC
State park on Lake Phelps south of Edenton for paddling, birding and hiking, with ranger programs.
Phinizy Center for Water Sciencesvenue · Walking groups · Augusta, GA
Augusta nature park and nonprofit with trails, guided hikes, birding courses and family programs.
Port Royal Sound Foundationvenue · Conservation volunteering · Hilton Head, SC
Maritime Center near Hilton Head with guided kayak tours, maritime forest hikes and nature programs.
Port Royal State Historic Parkvenue · Canoeing · Clarksville, TN
Historic park on the Red River near Clarksville with trails and a paddling access point.
Powell County Tourism (Red River kayaking)venue · Kayaking · Stanton, KY
Powell County tourism page on paddling the Red River and Mill Creek Lake near Stanton, with rental info.
projectROCKvenue · Indoor climbing · Fort Lauderdale, FL
Oakland Park climbing gym near Fort Lauderdale with roped climbing and bouldering.
Raven Run Nature Sanctuaryvenue · Day hikes · Lexington, KY
City nature sanctuary along the Kentucky River with trails and naturalist-led programs.
Red Clay State Historic Parkvenue · Walking groups · Cleveland, TN
State historic park south of Cleveland with trails and ranger-led programs.
Reynoldavenue · Walking groups · Winston-Salem, NC
Historic estate with gardens and trails that hosts walks and outdoor programs.
Run HKYvenue · Trail running · Hickory, NC
City of Hickory running hub with a 5K series, track races and trail runs.
RushSouth Whitewater Parkvenue · Whitewater · Columbus, GA
Urban whitewater course on the Chattahoochee in Columbus for rafting and kayaking.
Sadlers Creek State Parkvenue · Mountain biking · Anderson, SC
Lake Hartwell state park near Anderson with about 6.5 miles of mountain bike trails, hiking and paddling.
Salato Wildlife Education Centervenue · Walking groups · Frankfort, KY
State wildlife center with live animals, nature programs and four miles of trails on the Fish and Wildlife campus.
Sandy Creek Nature Centervenue · Walking groups · Athens, GA
Athens-Clarke County nature center with trails along the North Oconee greenway and public nature programs.
Schiele Museum of Natural Historyvenue · Walking groups · Gastonia, NC
Gastonia natural history museum with nature trails, planetarium and public programs.
Sea Pines Forest Preservevenue · Walking groups · Hilton Head, SC
Protected forest preserve with trails, boardwalks and guided eco tours inside Sea Pines.
Sesquicentennial State Parkvenue · Walking groups · Columbia, SC
Columbia state park with guided nature walks, night hikes and bat programs.
Silver Springs State Parkvenue · Kayaking · Ocala, FL
Ocala state park at the head of the Silver River with glass-bottom boats, paddling and trails.
Smithgall Woods State Parkvenue · Fly fishing · Helen, GA
Protected area near Helen known for trophy trout fishing on Dukes Creek, trails and guided programs.
Spartanburg County Parks Outdoor Recreationvenue · Beginners welcome · Spartanburg, SC
County parks department running outdoor recreation programs and events in parks around Spartanburg.
State Botanical Garden of Georgiavenue · Walking groups · Athens, GA
UGA garden in Athens with trails, guided tours, bird rambles and adult programs.
Stones River National Battlefieldvenue · Walking groups · Murfreesboro, TN
National battlefield in Murfreesboro linked to the city greenway, with trails and ranger programs.
Table Rock State Parkvenue · Day hikes · Pickens, SC
Mountain state park near Pickens with classic Upstate hikes, a Foothills Trail access point and ranger-led programs.
Tall Timbers Research Stationvenue · Birding · Tallahassee, FL
Research station near Tallahassee whose bird lab leads public field trips October through May.
The Climb Gymsvenue · Indoor climbing · Nashville, TN
Climbing gyms in West and East Nashville and Murfreesboro with classes and youth programs.
The Parklands of Floyds Forkvenue · Day hikes · Louisville, KY
Large public park system with trails, paddling and naturalist-led programs on Louisville's east side.
Town of Mentone Outdoor Adventuresvenue · Waterfalls · Mentone, AL
Town page listing Mentone's outdoor options: falls, canoeing, climbing areas and parks.
Triangle Rock Clubvenue · Indoor climbing · Raleigh
Indoor climbing gym with roped climbing and bouldering in Raleigh and Durham.
Tuscaloosa County Park and Recreation Authorityvenue · Walking groups · Tuscaloosa, AL
Tuscaloosa County parks agency running parks like Hurricane Creek and Sokol, with recreation programs.
U.S. National Whitewater Centervenue · Whitewater · Charlotte
Charlotte outdoor center with whitewater, trails, climbing and races.
Unicoi State Parkvenue · Day hikes · Helen, GA
State park next to Helen with trails, paddling on Unicoi Lake and ranger programs.
Velocity Climbingvenue · Indoor climbing · Miami, FL
North Miami climbing gym with 60-foot roped walls, bouldering and classes for new climbers.
Visit Damascus (Trail Days)venue · Outdoor & music festivals · Damascus, VA
Town visitor site for Damascus, the Appalachian Trail town that hosts the annual Trail Days hiker festival.
Weedon Island Preservevenue · Kayaking · St. Petersburg, FL
Pinellas County preserve with a mangrove paddling trail, boardwalks and a cultural center with nature programs.
Williamson County Parks and Recreationvenue · Mountain biking · Franklin, TN
County parks agency running Timberland Park and Wilkins Branch mountain bike park, with group rides and programs.
Woodstock Parks and Recreation (Greenprints Trails)venue · Walking groups · Woodstock, GA
City parks department running the Greenprints trail network and Olde Rope Mill Park.