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Hiking and Kayaking Adventure in the Smoky Mountains, North Carolina

Itinerary
Hiking and Kayaking Adventure in the Smoky Mountains, North Carolina
Date and group size

Add-ons

Most meals are included in the price of this trip. Special dietary requirements can be accommodated, please let us know down below if you have any.

Select a cancellation policy

Things come up, and sometimes plans need to be changed. Check out our flexible cancellation options.
57hours flexibility options
Deposits

When booking a trip, you can either pay for it in full or reserve your spot with a 30% deposit. The remaining 70% of the trip price is to be paid 90 days prior to departure, at the latest.

Cancellations

After 48 hours, booking fees are non-refundable in all cases. You can choose one of 57hours’ flexibility options:

Basic
  • If canceled within 48 hours of booking, a full refund will be issued.
  • If canceled 60 or more days before departure, a 70% refund of the total trip price will be issued.
  • If canceled within 59 days of departure, no refund will be issued.
  • Booking fees are non-refundable after a 48-hour grace period.
Flexible
  • If canceled within 48 hours of booking, a full refund will be issued.
  • If canceled 60 or more days before departure, a full refund of the total trip price will be issued.
  • If canceled 30-59 days before departure, a 50% refund of the total trip price will be issued.
  • If canceled within 29 days of departure, no refund will be issued.
  • Booking fees are non-refundable after 48 hours grace period.
Super Flexible
  • If canceled within 48 hours of booking, a full refund will be issued.
  • If canceled 30 or more days before departure, a full refund of the total trip price will be issued.
  • If canceled within 29 days of departure, a 50% refund of the total trip price will be issued.
  • Booking fees are non-refundable after 48 hours grace period.
Hiking and Kayaking Adventure in the Smoky Mountains, North Carolina
Itinerary
Hiking and Kayaking Adventure in the Smoky Mountains, North Carolina
People
1 Person
Date(s)
--
Duration
3 day
Guide(s)
Jack Lloyd, China Whitmire, A Walk in the Woods
Reserve deposit (30%) $0
Second Payment Amount: $0

  • We’re trading roads for waterways and hotels for a backcountry basecamp. First up—paddling across Fontana Lake, where misty peaks tower over glassy waters. We’ll pull up to our remote campsite, stash the boats, and hit the trails—because the Smokies aren’t just seen, they’re explored. We’ll hike through deep forest, past forgotten homesteads, and into the kind of wilderness that makes us forget what day it is. Afternoons mean lakeside swims, evenings bring campfire laughs, and every night, the stars put on a show. Three days off-grid, all in one adventure!

    • Our adventure kicks off at 9am with an orientation at the Fontana Lake Visitors Center, where we’ll go over gear, safety, and what to expect over the next few days. After getting everything squared away, we’ll head to the marina and launch our kayaks into the serene waters of Fontana Lake. As we paddle deeper into Great Smoky Mountains National Park, we’ll hear the fascinating story of Fontana Dam—how it transformed the landscape and became the tallest dam in the East.

      By midday, we’ll arrive at our remote backcountry site, set up camp, and secure our gear before heading back to the lake for a refreshing swim. With the mountains rising around us and the water sparkling in the afternoon light, it’s the perfect start to an unforgettable adventure.

      Meals: Dinner
      Accommodation: Camping

      Canoe on a lake

    • After a peaceful night under the stars, we’ll fuel up with a hearty breakfast before lacing up our boots for a full day of hiking. Our route takes us deep into one of the most remote corners of the Park, where few visitors venture. Along the way, we’ll uncover remnants of old homesteads, overgrown rail lines, and traces of the people who once called this wilderness home.

      With a mix of shaded trails, gentle climbs, and sweeping ridge views, this hike offers a taste of the Smokies’ rich history and rugged beauty. By mid-afternoon, we’ll make our way back to camp for another dip in the lake and some relaxed paddling before dinner around the campfire.

      Meals: Breakfast, dinner
      Accommodation: Camping

      Hikers with a guide

    • We’ll start the day with a short morning hike, letting the cool mountain air wake us up as we stretch our legs one last time. Then, it’s time to break down camp and pack up our gear before paddling back across the lake. The return trip gives us a final chance to soak in the stunning scenery, spot wildlife along the shore, and reflect on the past few days in the backcountry. By midday, we’ll pull into the marina, say our goodbyes, and start dreaming about the next adventure.

      Meals: Breakfast

      Sunrise stroll

    • Included:

        • An experienced hiking and kayaking guide with extensive knowledge of the area
        • 3-day Smoky Mountains kayak & hike tour
        • Accommodation: 2 nights of camping
        • Gear: Backpack, tent, sleeping bag + pad (you are welcome to bring your own if you want)
        • Meals: All dinners and breakfasts
        • Some snacks (bring your own to supplement)
        • Shuttle from the meeting location to starting trailhead
        • All permits and parking tags
        • Water filter, first aid kit, stove and fuel
        • Hiking poles

      Not included:

        • Flights
        • Transportation before and after the trip
        • Meals not indicated in the itinerary
        • Personal items
        • Guide gratuities — optional
        • Travel and medical insurance — optional

    • This Smoky Mountains kayak tour is great for beginner backpackers and intermediate paddlers. Participants should be capable of hiking 3-5 hours and up to 10 km (6 mi) each day, and paddling up to 8 km (5 mi) on Day 1 and Day 3, with as much as 457 m (1,500 ft) elevation gain and 640 m (2,100 ft) elevation loss.

      Expect steep, rocky, rooty, wet, and uneven terrain with possible stream crossings. Participants will be carrying their own backpacks weighing 13.6-15.9 kg (30-35 pounds) on Day 1 and Day 3, and just carrying daily hiking necessities on Day 2.

      For more Appalachian trail tours, click here!

    • The guides provide freeze-dried or dehydrated meals and some snacks. Freeze-dried or dehydrated meals are perfect for Smokies backpacking because the Leave No Trace principle will be maintained effortlessly.

      The meals are lightweight and can accommodate a wide variety of dietary desires or needs. Snacks come in the form of bars, such as Clif, Lara, Fig, Nature Valley, etc.

    • Here’s a list of the equipment you need to bring:

        • Water bottle or hydration bladder (2L capacity)
        • Backpack, tent, sleeping bad and pad — provided by the guides, but you can bring your own if desired
        • Lightweight hiking boots or shoes
        • Comfortable hiking clothes
        • Waterproof rain jacket
        • Waterproof rain pants
        • Fleece or puffy jacket
        • Spare clothes for layering (shorts, t-shirts, pants, socks)
        • Underwear
        • Camp shoes
        • Sunhat
        • Swimsuit
        • Toiletries (sunscreen, hand sanitizer, toothpaste, medications, bug spray, tissues, etc.)
        • Headlamp or flashlight
        • Sunglasses
        • Utensils (a single spoon, fork, or spork)
        • Mug, bowl — optional
        • Camera — optional (but recommended)

      Optional and recommended additional items:

        • Bandana
        • Knife
        • Small plastic bags (for dirty clothing)
        • Lip Balm
        • Ziplock bags (for food trash)
        • Map of the Great Smoky Mountain National Park
        • Backpacking pillow
        • Large trash bag
        • Camp towel
        • Book
        • Whistle
        • Compass

      Dress comfortably and for the weather in clothes you can move in. We suggest bringing clothing appropriate for the season. Layers are best and don’t wear jeans.

    • Group sizes and pricing

        • For this Smoky Mountains kayak tour, the usual client-to-guide ratio is 3:1.
        • Should the group be fully booked, it will be accompanied by 2 guides.
        • It takes a minimum of 4 people for this tour to operate. The maximum group size is set at 6 participants.

      A Smoky Mountains kayak tour can be arranged for larger groups. Contact us to make arrangements.

      Min. age requirements

        • If you are older than 18, you’re good to go.
        • Minors younger than 18 may be permitted to join the Smoky Mountains kayak tour on a case-by-case basis, but must be in the presence of a parent or legal guardian.

      If your group has participants under the age of 18, contact us prior to booking to make arrangements.

    • The starting point of your Smoky Mountains kayak tour is Fontana Dam. To get there, most people fly into Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL). From there, you can use public transport or rent a car to reach Fontana Dam.

      Once you’re there, you will meet your guide at 9am at the Fontana Dam Visitors Center.

    • We highly recommend that you cover all your bases with both medical and travel protection. To make your booking and traveling experience as carefree as possible, simply choose Redpoint—the official 57hours insurance partner!

      Redpoint tailors their protection packages for adventure travel, offering a comprehensive travel program, even in remote locations. Trip cancellation, natural disasters, pandemic coverage, medical evacuation, primary medical expenses—regardless of the travel interruption that may happen, Redpoint will have you covered.

      Once your booking is confirmed and your trip is paid in full, you will be offered to purchase Redpoint’s protection. If you need any help or require more information, let us know and we will be happy to help!

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