Overnight Backpacking in the Smokies

Overview

Leave the road far behind for stress free, guided backpacking in the Smoky Mountains.
New to Backpacking?
Avoid the growing pains of learning backpacking skills through the school of hard knocks. Our groups are small enough to allow us to get to know each other and to travel as a team while gaining confidence and trust in the process. Wilderness backpacking is the most rewarding way to experience a bit of real America. Because you do it on your own two feet, you’ll take home a dramatic sense of accomplishment that flows into your daily life.
Been backpacking for years?
Try traveling with your own naturalist, learning more about the forest you love. You’ll learn how to identify plants useful for food and medicine and what to do if lost in the woods. Additionally, learn how to avoid getting struck by lightening during a thunderstorm, how to cure headaches naturally and everything you need to make your trips through the wilderness safer and more enjoyable.

City: Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Thu 26 Dec

Other dates

You can choose the date already on the booking website

Starting at $499.00

Make a reservation

Thu 26 Dec

Starting at $499.00

Make a reservation

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What's Included

You will be provided with a dinner and a breakfast in the form of specialized, freeze dried backpacking meals. Lunches are snacks on the trail.

Bars, trail mix, fruit leather. Snacks vary. Please let us know if you have dietary restrictions.

Professional guide

All Fees and Taxes

All necessary gear included. This includes a tent, sleeping bag, sleeping pad and backpack. Guides carry 1st aid kit, stove and filter for the group.

You will be provided with a dinner and a breakfast in the form of specialized, freeze dried backpacking meals. Lunches are snacks on the trail.

Additional Info

Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
Not recommended for pregnant travelers
Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
Travelers should have a high level of physical fitness
This trip requires a 2 person minimum to operate. If you are traveling solo, you may join into an existing tour or pay the 2 person rate.
You will be asked to sign a waiver.
Face masks required for travellers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Hand sanitiser available to travellers and staff
Social distancing enforced throughout experience
Regularly sanitised high-traffic areas
Gear/equipment sanitised between use
Guides required to regularly wash hands
Regular temperature checks for staff
Contactless payments for gratuities and add-ons
COVID-19 vaccination required for guides
You will be required to bring a mask for the duration of the trip. You are only required to wear it during times social distancing cannot be maintained.

What To Expect

A Walk In The Woods

A Walk in the Woods Smoky Mountain guides have been helping guests make lasting memories on backpacking and camping trips, driving tours and guided hikes in the Smoky Mountains since 1998. Our local, naturalist guides are experts in all things Smokies! Once you book your trip, you will be sent paperwork that we need filled out by you and everyone in your party within 48 hours. We will need that paperwork filled out and returned as soon as possible. You will receive a conditioning guide, a packlist upon booking and meeting location and route information closer to the time of your trip.

Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Everything you wanted to know but were too afraid to ask! Turn that curiosity into knowledge with a one night guided backpacking trip in the Smoky Mountains. Learn everything about the exciting and challenging sport of backpacking while meeting other people. On this trip, you will learn all the steps needed to become a proficient backpacker. Find out what to pack, how to pack and how to wear your pack for the most comfort. Learn how to use the best gear and what to do in the event that things don’t go as planned. If the weather changes or your gear doesn’t work well, you’ll be prepared. Identifying wild plants, which ones are edible, how to cure headaches and getting relief from poison ivy are all things you will learn along the way. We’ll start with a brief class on backpacking and apply it in real life.

Cancellation Policy

All sales are final. No refund is available for cancellations.

Traveler Photos

Reviews (89)

Jacquey L

Mar 2019

Our first family hike in The Great Smokys was amazing, made even better by our stellar guide, Eric! Eric is an exceptional outdoorsmen and made our experience something we’ll always remember fondly. As a highly sensitive safety focused Mom, I was completely at ease because of Eric’s high level of knowledge and calm presence. The experience was also filled with enough adventure that it was also thoroughly enjoyed by my highly adventurous teenage son and husband! Thank you for the memories!

Response from Host

Mar 2019

So thrilled that you had a good time on your hike! We are glad that you were able to have an adventure while feeling safe. Safety is our number one priority as a company. We hope to be able to take you on another adventure soon!

amygannaway

Mar 2019

Gorgeous hike/walk in the Great Smoky Mountains. Erik was a fantastic guide - super informative with lots of info about the trees, plants, and animals in the mountains. The hike/walk was at a nice pace with a few stops to take pictures. Perfect area for the hike as the location was a trail generally used by locals - so, not crowded at all!

Response from Host

Mar 2019

So happy you enjoyed your walk in the woods! Erik Soltan had a fabulous time with your group! We hope to see you again to take you on another adventure.

614recruiter

Mar 2019

I would highly recommend this company. First, our guide, Erik Soltan demonstrated a lot patience as we were running late. I was amazed at his deep knowledge of the region, stopping several times pointing out plants and wildlife that we would have never noticed on our own. He educated us a lot about the history of the region. And he knew a ton of interesting facts about plants and trees that we found fascinating.