This is the closest skydiving center to Knoxville TN, Pigeon Forge & Gatlinburg TN, Tri-Cities TN/VA, Asheville NC, and the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Tandem skydiving is the EASIEST way to make that First Jump. After a short training class, you will suit up and you and your instructor will climb to over 11,000 feet (yep, that’s over 2 miles high!). Wearing a tandem parachute system, you and your Tandem Instructor will jump together and accelerate to 120 MPH, freefalling for about 45 seconds. During the 5-6 minute parachute ride back to earth, you will enjoy the beautiful views of The Great Smoky Mountains and Douglas Lake. Skydive East Tennessee is located off I-40, Exit 412. West of Douglas Lake.