Outdoor Education
Experience our 400 acre classroom
School Field Trips that provide hands-on, experiential learning in the Smoky Mountains of East Tennessee
Many classes support existing state educational standards, and are offered from either a faith-based perspective or a classic public-school approach.
Includes: 4 one-hour periods:
- Train Ride: Narrated excursion on historic ET&WNC Railway
- Group Game (DRG staffed) – learn to work together while having fun.
- Teacher-led Activity: Octaball, 9 Square in the Air, Volleyball, Ping Pong, Cornhole, Dodgeball, Disc Golf, Bouldering Cave
- Adventure activities OR Outdoor Education class (One activity or class based on number of participants and age)

Activities led by DRG Staff (based on group size):
- Climbing Tower
- The Rapture
- Leap of Faith (age 11 & up)
- Tree Swings (ages 8 & under)
- Train Ride
- Team Building
- Group Games

Outdoor Education Classes:
- Talk with Animals
- Horse Studies
- Decomposition
- River Critters
- Tree Detectives
- Nature Hike
- Incredible Invertebrates
- Fire-Building
- Outdoor Shelters

Cost per student: $15, teachers accompanying their class are FREE
(Parents can ride the train for $5 each)
(Parents can ride the train for $5 each)
Lunch (optional) served during last two activity hours. Bring your own lunch or purchase $5 per person (hot dog, chips, cookie, drink)
“Our Students stated that the trip to Doe River Gorge was the best field trip they had ever attended. For weeks, the field trip at Doe River Gorge was all they talked about. At the end of the school year, we have a time when our students share what was most memorable about their school year and many of our students said going to Doe River Gorge was the best thing they did this year. I plan on bringing my students to Doe River Gorge as an annual event in the future. Thank you Doe River Gorge!“
– Sarah, 3rd grade teacher
– Sarah, 3rd grade teacher
- March-May; Aug-Oct
- Most weekdays between 9am – 1pm (please arrive by 8:30 a.m.)
- Groups rotate through four periods at 1-hour intervals
- 4-hour Field trip with or without lunch (lunch served during activities 11am-1pm)
- Custom & overnight field trip programs available

Call 423.725.4010 for information and reservations
All persons must have a signed Release Indemnification form. (pdf download)
Minors (under age 18) must have their parent’s consent on the Release Indemnification form (pdf download).