About TN Outdoor Guides
Welcome to the premier eco-tourism company in Tennessee! TN Outdoor Guides provides guided kayaking, hiking, and backpacking adventures throughout Middle Tennessee. Scroll down to meet our guides and find out more about our mission, vision, history, and what makes our organization different.
Meet Our Guides
Erik Raper
TN Outdoor Guides is locally owned and operated by Erik Raper. Erik has over 20 years’ experience hiking, backpacking, and kayaking in Tennessee primarily throughout the Upper Cumberland. He has explored Fall Creek Falls, Burgess Falls, Rock Island, Virgin Falls, Cummins Falls, Savage Gulf, Laurel Snow Falls, Piney Falls, Stinging Fork Falls, areas in the Great Smoky Mountains, areas in Rocky Mountain National park, and many other state parks, state natural areas, and other areas countless times over the years. He is our Tour Manager.
Alex Van Dusen
Alex joined TN Outdoor Guides in 2022 by way of California. He lead guided tours while in California for over 5 years as well as taught science to middle schoolers. He is passionate about adventures in the great outdoors and is thrilled to get the opportunity to showcase the beautiful wonders of the Upper Cumberland. His reliability, focus on safety, and improvements of overall operations has earned him the spot as our Lead Guide.
Daniel Boyce
A true outdoorsman and skilled Angler, Daniel Boyce serves as a Kayaking Guide at TN Outdoor Guides. Daniel has lived in the area his whole life and is experienced in navigating the waterways of Middle Tennessee. As a knowledgeable kayaker, he provides our guest’s friendliness, fun, and safety. He is also well versed in information about the history, local lore, and conservation efforts along the Tennessee Rivers with which TN Outdoor Guides provides guided kayaking tours.
Our Mission & Vision
At TN Outdoor Guides we seek to create an unforgettable encounter and connection with nature for our guests. Our tours and trips offer views of some of the most spectacular eye candy the great outdoors has to offer. Many of our trips are focused on showcasing waterfalls and caves. These treasures are mesmerizing and amazing gifts and the Upper Cumberland is plentiful with some of the best of both in the states. We also strive to educate our guests on the history, plant life, and wild life of the areas we serve while we take in all the splendor around us. Our goal is for our guests to leave with amazing memories they can cherish for their entire lives, to inspire our guests to GET OUTSIDE more often, and if needed to instill the confidence in our guests to be able to hike, camp, backpack, or kayak on their own without the need of a guide.
Leave No Trace! The preservation of the planet is of the utmost importance. With that in mind we practice and promote “Leave no trace” methods in our personal lives, with our guides, and with our guests as part of our effort to keep the areas we serve immaculate for generations to come.
Be Local! Show Local Love! We believe in and support local businesses and give back to the communities we serve.
Come get lost with us and connect with mother nature! Book your adventure now! Get Outside! It’s a Movement!
Philosophy
At TN Outdoor Guides we believe connecting with the outdoors is a soothing and healing experience. The stresses of daily life can take a toll on our bodies and minds. Spending time connecting with nature can help refresh our bodies, clear our minds, and release that stress. With that in mind TN Outdoors guides was founded to help facilitate that escape from the day to day grind. Some people are intimidated to get outdoors due to their lack of knowledge of the great outdoors or other fears. Others may just prefer to experience these adventures with a group. Whatever your backgound is, we aim to give you a comfortable place to experience amazing adventures with an experienced local guide who can show you the best views in the least amount of time. Our guides are trained to help you in any capacity needed while sharing skills and knowledge in any area you have a knowledge gap or are curious to learn about.
Why Choose Us?
Our Local Guides are experts in exploring all areas of the Upper Cumberland. Our services help make your trip to the Upper Cumberland educational, rewarding, and fun.
Our goal is to make the Upper Cumberland your playground and create fun and exciting memories for you in an environmentally friendly way.
Our History
TN Outdoor Guides was founded in 2020 by Erik Raper with the idea of getting out in nature for a living. Erik always spent a great deal of his free time outside exploring and has had an obsession with the beauty of waterfalls. His 14 year career was no longer satisfying and he desired to create a career he could find his passion in again. After much consideration he decided to pursue his passion and focus all his efforts to share the beauty and wonders of the Upper Cumberland Plateau and surrounding areas in Middle Tennessee and that’s how TN Outdoor Guides began.
After burying his head into the process of what he wanted this new business to look like and how to create memories of a lifetime for his guests he came up with three main types of adventures to offer. These are Day or half day Hikes, Kayak Trips, and Backpacking Trips. All three different types of adventures have incredible scenic views and while we have some amazing set tours we love to do, tours can also be customized for our guests specific needs.
Guided Hiking, Backcountry, & Kayaking Trips
Day Hikes
Day hikes are designed to pack in as much sightseeing as possible across multiple locations.
Overnight Hikes
Overnight hikes are backcountry hiking and camping trips that involve a one to three night’s stay outdoors.
Kayak Trips
Join a growing group of kayak enthusiasts to venture into some of the best waterways in Middle and Eastern Tennessee.
Water Fall Tours
Waterfall tours feature access to several waterfalls during a single day trip across Middle Tennessee.
Recommended Hiking, Backcountry, & Kayaking Trips
1 Day Kayak Burgess Falls Paddling Trip
Explore Burgess Falls’ base and Burgess Falls State Natural Area’s natural beauty in this guided Kayak tour. Meet at the access area to Center Hill Lake, located near Putnam and White Counties’ border.
1 Day Cummins and Carmac Day Hike
Visit two of the Upper Cumberland’s most beautiful waterfalls. Gorge access permit to Cummins Falls and a hearty sack lunch at Cul-Carmac Falls are both included with this Day Hike Package.
3 Day Virgin Falls Backpacking Trip
This three day two night backpacking adventure is one you do not want to miss. Featuring beautiful waterfalls and multiple caves this is a strenuous but epic adventure that anyone would be amazed by.
Ready to Make the Memories of a Lifetime?
Now that you’ve seen what we’re all about, what are you waiting for? Book your favorite amazing adventure now and join us while spots are still available. You can find all our available adventures on our Hiking Tours page.