Activities Offerings OUTDOORSMAN OUTDOORSMAN Always in search of the next stream to cast a line into, trail to gallop along or target to place in sight, an outdoorsman is all at once a conservationist, thrill seeker and guardian of tradition. At Blackberry Farm, we offer outdoorsmen and women endless opportunities to enjoy their time in the foothills of the Smoky Mountains doing exactly what they love. Our Fly-fishing, Horseback Riding and Sporting Clay teams provide instruction alongside unique experiences all in an inspiring setting that allow guests of all abilities to enjoy the sport and further their skill or experience during their stay. All rates subject to an additional 19% service charge and taxes and rates are subject to change without notice. Please contact our concierge team for more details. As a courtesy to other guests, we kindly ask that cancellations and appointment changes be made by 7:00pm the day prior to your scheduled service to avoid penalties. Any appointments made or cancelled after 7:00pm the day prior will incur a 50% cancellation fee. In cases of severe weather penalties for canceling or changing outdoor activities will not be imposed.
Outdoorsman EQUESTRIAN HORSEBACK RIDING Explore the scenic countryside of Blackberry Farm and the Great Smoky Mountains on the back of a well-trained horse. Guided rides are available for guests of any experience level, from beginner to advanced. Every ride includes instruction, a helmet and a Western saddle; English saddles are available upon request. For your comfort, we recommend you wear long pants and closed-toed shoes. Note: children under the age of eight may participate in Pony Club or Recreational Riding Instruction. All rides are guided and are by appointment. THE FARMSTEAD RIDE A relaxing way to explore the farm, at a leisurely pace, suitable for all levels of experience. Group activity. Allow up to one hour. THE FIELD AND STREAM RIDE Wander the fields and streams of Blackberry with your personal guide. Private activity. Allow up to two hours. HUNTER PACE For the confident equestrian, comfortable posting the trot, in English tack, galloping and jumping (optional) in open and wooded terrain. Private activity. Allow up to two hours. PONY TIME Introduction to mini-and full-size horse; grooming, leading, tack, and lead line ride, bring a camera! For kids and parents. Allow one hour. All rates subject to an additional 19% service charge and taxes and rates are subject to change without notice. Please contact our concierge team for more details. As a courtesy to other guests, we kindly ask that cancellations and appointment changes be made by 7:00pm the day prior to your scheduled service to avoid penalties. Any appointments made or cancelled after 7:00pm the day prior will incur a 50% cancellation fee. In cases of severe weather penalties for canceling or changing outdoor activities will not be imposed.
Outdoorsman EQUESTRIAN RECREATIONAL RIDING INSTRUCTION English (jumping optional) or Western. This is a private activity. Allow up to two hours. FULL DAY HORSE CLINIC Topics include natural horsemanship, horse psychology, safety, grooming, tack, English or Western riding instruction in the ring and on the trail. This is a private activity. Allow up to six hours. SMOKY MOUNTAIN WILDERNESS RIDE For experienced riders, currently riding fit, confident over steep terrain and water crossings. Lunch included. Allow 3 5 hours. MOUNTED FOX HUNTING (Offered on select dates September to March) For experienced equestrians comfortable posting the trot in English tack and galloping rugged terrain. Jumping optional. Lease horses/instruction available. Allow 4 6 hours. Please contact stables for availability and pricing. NATURAL HORSEMANSHIP EXPERIENCE Whether or not you choose to put your foot in the stirrup, savor the opportunity to join up with a horse, explore the essence of the human/horse relationship through non-verbal communication, action and perception. Arrive seeking an understanding of the horse and leave with a powerful connection. Allow one hour.
Outdoorsman EQUESTRIAN RECREATIONAL CARRIAGE DRIVING INSTRUCTIONS Introduction to harness, hitching, safe driving techniques; includes a drive around the farm. One Two guests/allow up to two hours. CARRIAGE RIDES Clip-clop down a shady lane and amble through the countryside. Slow your pace of life. Experience scenic vistas and pure mountain streams from the cozy comfort of a horse-drawn carriage. If you are interested, your driver is well-versed in Blackberry history and local lore. Hoofbeats create a rhythm for a beautiful Blackberry memory. Rides by appointment only. Plan on hour or more.
Outdoorsman ON PROPERTY FISHING FLY-FISHING Blackberry Farm became an Orvis-endorsed fishing lodge in 2001, and we are very proud of our association with Orvis and its group of endorsed lodges. We are especially proud to be recognized as the 2003 and 2004 Orvis-endorsed Lodge of the Year. Blackberry Farm is the first lodge in the eastern United States to win this prestigious honor, and we look forward to offering our guests the finest possible fly-fishing experience in the future. Guests have access to a buffet of options for freshwater fly-fishing: two ponds and a stream on our property, more than 700 miles of fishable trout streams in the neighboring Great Smoky Mountains National Park and beautiful stretches of the well-known Clinch or Holston Rivers. Our Orvis-endorsed guides and instructors can quickly introduce beginners to the basics of fly-fishing or help the seasoned angler by providing the best local knowledge for a perfect day on the water. ORVIS-ENDORSED LODGE The Orvis Company, America s oldest continuous mail order company (since 1856), began its Endorsed Lodge Program almost 20 years ago. Its goal was to assure their customers that they could expect the finest combination of accommodations, fishing and shooting at these lodges because they met the Orvis Company s approval. Today there are approximately 60 Orvis-endorsed lodges in the United States and Canada. HESSE CREEK Blackberry Farm is home to what may be the best mile of trout water in Tennessee. Beneath a canopy of trees, Hesse Creek harbors rainbow and brown trout ranging from eight inches to eight pounds. This jewel of a mountain stream is best fished in the Spring and Fall, but thanks to our mild weather and water temperatures, Hesse Creek can produce better-than-average fishing in the Summer, but especially in the Winter. Hesse Creek is a catch-and-release stream, and only fly-fishing with artificial flies is permitted. The stream is reserved for guided trips year-round, unless special arrangements are made. OTHER OPTIONS ON PROPERTY Two ponds grace our grounds and accommodate anglers in pursuit of more casting freedom of different species. The larger Walland Pond contains bass, catfish and bream. The smaller Singing Brook Pond, which is home to trout in the Winter and bass and blue gill all year long, is situated near the Grey Drake, the fishing cabin that is home to our fly-fishing schools, fly tying classes and private instruction.
Outdoorsman OFF PROPERTY FISHING SMOKY MOUNTAINS A sportsman s paradise, the Great Smoky Mountains National Park adjoins Blackberry Farm. Its superb fishing destinations are within easy reach and are bountiful in Spring and Fall. The park contains more than 700 miles of fishable water and is truly a rare wild trout sanctuary none of the streams are stocked. While rainbows and browns populate most of the major streams, the native Southern Appalachian brook trout still thrives in some of the elevated tributaries. Guests can drive to these waters in about 15 45 minutes. Half and full day guided trips are available. FLOAT TRIPS A tail water fishery north of Knoxville, the wide and pristine Clinch River is replete with trout. Blackberry guests can float down in a Mackenzie-style drift boat, catching browns, rainbows and brooks (this river produced Tennessee s state record brown trout). The Clinch can be rewarding year-round, but the best fishing is in March through June and October through early November. The driving distance and length of the float make the Clinch River a full day trip only. We also guide the Holston River, a Springtime favorite, located just East of Knoxville. The Holston is a diverse and scenic float that offers and angler a chance to fish several different types of water. The river hosts a robust population of rainbow trout, but we often pursue small mouth bass in the warmer months. The Holston fishes best for trout from March through June and is a full-day trip only.
Outdoorsman FLY-FISHING INSTRUCTION FLY-FISHING SCHOOL FLY-FISHING DAY SCHOOLS Perfect for the beginner looking to get a firm hold on the skills involved in the sport. Our instructors will patiently walk you through everything from casting, to fly selection, to presentation to ensure you have the knowledge needed to become an independent angler. ONE-HOUR PRIVATE INSTRUCTION We recommend this learning experience a detailed and distinctive type of angling before a guided trip onto local trout waters. The lesson covers equipment and theory, but focuses mostly on casting instruction. Geared for beginners, these private lessons provide a crash course in the world of fly-fishing basics. (Instruction on fly casting, presentation, reading water, fighting and landing fish.) ONE-HOUR FLY TYING CLASS A customized one hour class on fly tying, the art of making your own lures. GUIDED FLY-FISHING TRIPS Beginner or old hand, our guides local knowledge is hard to beat. If you need instruction they can give it, or they are more than happy to show you where the big one lays. Guided trips can be taken on Hesse Creek, the Great Smoky Mountains National Park or to one of the local tail waters. All rates subject to an additional 19% service charge and taxes and rates are subject to change without notice. Please contact our concierge team for more details. As a courtesy to other guests, we kindly ask that cancellations and appointment changes be made by 7:00pm the day prior to your scheduled service to avoid penalties. Any appointments made or cancelled after 7:00pm the day prior will incur a 50% cancellation fee. In cases of severe weather penalties for canceling or changing outdoor activities will not be imposed.
Outdoorsman SHOTGUN SPORTS SHOTGUN SPORTS A timeless tradition with its roots coming from England, sporting clays is a classic shotgun experience perfected over the years into an ultimate game for the sportsman. Like all Blackberry Farm activities, we strive to give our guests an incredible experience they won t forget while engaging them in new knowledge covering everything from gun safety to etiquette, gun fit to eye dominance. Offered shotgun disciplines include Skeet, Trap, 5 Stand, Sporting Clays, Double Wobble, Flurry and more. Smoky Mountain Sports Club is just a short drive from the property. At our course, you ll find the thrilling and personalized experience you had hoped for! We are able accommodate any group size, whether it s a family outing or a corporate team building exercise, we re here to instruct the novice shooter to become an expert, while challenging the most experienced shooter. Use one of our Beretta shotguns, or bring your personal shotgun, it s up to you sportsman! All shooting sessions are available at 9:00am, 11:00am, and 1:00pm daily.
Outdoorsman ARCHERY ARCHERY Archery is an ancient tradition and for centuries it reigned as a critical piece of survival, from putting food on the table to battle and warfare. Today, this Zen pursuit captivates all who pick up the stick and string because of the truth behind each shot, the lesson it provides to each person, and the essential connection to our past. Be it target archery or the stalking of wild game the mental toughness and focus remain the same; to be the arrow and deliver a strike to the heart of the target requires both strength of mind and will. Join us while we use these antiquated tools to further shape ourselves. Blackberry Farm has a sheltered flat range that can be used in all seasons and weather. Located on top of a secluded hill at the Smoky Mountain Sports Club, a thirty minute drive off-site to our shooting complex, the serene setting begs the archer to step back in time and enjoy the peacefulness of nature while using the most basic of archery tools, the longbow. Compound bows and longbows are the essence of form follows function and you ll experience the beauty of true simplicity. While you re soaking all this in you will also learn the basic fundamentals of instinctive shooting as well as discover the in depth philosophy entwined within the sport. You might even learn a little about yourself. All shooting sessions are available at 9:00am, 11:00am, and 1:00pm daily.