Discover the beauty of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park during one of the most stunning times of the year—the fall! Join Wildwood Hiking Company for a 3 day / 2 night all-inclusive backpacking adventure that will take you deep into the heart of the Smokies, where vibrant fall foliage blankets the mountains in fiery reds, golden yellows, and rich oranges.  Get away from the crowds and into the backcountry, where we'll hike along crystal clear creeks and cascading waterfalls and through mountain top meadows with awe-inspiring views.  We'll be immersed in the explosion of rich fall colors, which peak in mid-October through November, when the cool crisp days turn the mountains into a tapestry of colorful hues.

Trip Highlights:

• Peak Fall Colors: Experience the Smokies at their most colorful, with breathtaking views from iconic trails and mountain top views.
• Challenging and Rewarding Hiking: Traverse 15-20 miles of diverse terrain, from quiet forest paths to rugged ridgelines, perfect for both seasoned hikers and adventurous beginners.
• Rich Ecosystems: Explore the park's unique biodiversity, home to ancient forests, cascading streams, and wildlife like black bears, deer, and playful squirrels.
• Peaceful Camping: Set up camp at pristine backcountry sites, where you'll relax under a canopy of stars and enjoy the crisp autumn air.

Cost: 

The cost for this trip is $1100 per person.

What's Included:

• Pre-Hike Virtual Orientation and planning with your guide
• Shuttle service between meetup location and trailheads in the park
• Backcountry camping permits and fees
• Backpacking gear (backpack, trekking poles, tent, sleeping pad, sleeping bag, cook kit, and water filtration)
• On-trail meals (breakfast, lunch, and dinner)

What's Not Included:

• Guide gratuity (suggested 15-20%)
• Transportation to/from airports
  
• Parking pass for the national park
• Personal items such as clothing, toiletries, and water bottles

Group Size:

This trip is limited to 6 hikers plus your guide.  A minimum of 2 hikers is required for this trip to run.  If the minimum is not met, your guide will contact you with an option for a refund or booking credit.

Trip Difficulty: 

This is a beginner to intermediate level backpacking trip with some steep ascents, descents, rocky and rooty terrain, and creek crossings.  You will be expected to carry your own backpacking gear (between 25-30 pounds) for 5-7 hours each day as we hike to our campsites. Daily mileage depends on the route, but will be between 6 - 10 miles and up to 3,000' of elevation gain per day.  This trip is best suited to those who have some previous hiking and backpacking experience.  We recommend training for this hike ahead of time to condition your body to carrying extra weight (see FAQs for training ideas).

October is a beautiful time to hike in the Smokies! You can expect daytime highs in the 50s-60s and overnight lows in the 30s-40s.  However, the weather can change very quickly in the mountains, so we'll be prepared for varying temperatures and precipitation.

Itinerary: 

Due to permitting restrictions in the national park, we cannot make reservations for backcountry campsites until 25 days before the start of the trip.  Exact locations, routes, and mileage are dependent on campsite availability.  Your guide will send a detailed itinerary with the planned route and mileage approximately 2 weeks before the start of the trip.  Your guide will also share meeting locations and times with you once the itinerary has been set.  We usually meet around 9 am on the first day and try to finish our trip by 4 pm on the last day.

What to Bring:

Your guide will send you a detailed packing list prior to the trip, but you should expect to bring your own personal items such as clothing, toiletries, and water bottles.  We will outfit you with a full gear set-up, including a 65 L backpack, trekking poles, tent, sleeping pad, sleeping bag, water filtration system, backpacking stove, and cook kit.  During your pre-hike virtual orientation, your guide will be available to answer any questions you have about the packing list. 

Getting There:

If you are flying, the closest major airport is the McGhee-Tyson Airport (TYS) in Alcoa, TN, just south of Knoxville. From there, you can rent a car to get to Gatlinburg, TN, the entrance to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.  There are many accommodations available in Gatlinburg, and we recommend you stay somewhere close by the night before the trip so you can start your hike well rested.  While entrance to the park is free, guests are required to purchase a parking pass.  You can buy a pass online or at the visitor centers.