Quick Details
Epic Adventures at Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Kayaking, elk viewing, Cherokee Nation visit and authentic southern meals are all included in this Smoky Mountain Adventure. Early Fall is a special time in the mountains with bugling elk, cooler days and blue skies. There is also a “time off” built in when you can pick your own adventure. Choose from hiking, ziplining, whitewater rafting, mountain biking, fishing, an Asheville visit or just relaxing with a book.
Our lodging and meals on this trip are at the Fryemont Inn in Bryson City, NC. The historic inn, built in 1923, offers peaceful lodging and dining in the North Carolina Smokies. With a front-porch view of the Great Smoky Mountains, the Fryemont Inn is a great place to unwind after a day outdoors.
The historic lodge’s 37 unique rooms offer rustic and nostalgic accommodations with varied configurations but the Inn does NOT have air conditioning. This is not usually a concern in the fall but it is worth mentioning.
Trip Highlights
- Kayaking mountain lakes
- Cherokee Nation
- Elk viewing in the Great Smoky National Park
- Cataloochee Valley
- Time off to choose your own adventure or relax
- Authentic southern food and hospitality
What’s Included and Trip Cost
- All lodging at the Fryemont Inn
- All meals from the first night to breakfast on the last morning
- All entrance fees
- All necessary equipment
- Scott Locorini as your host and guide
- Assistance with arranging a Asheville, NC airport shuttle
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Subject to change based on weather or other unforeseen circumstances.
Day 1 – Welcome to the mountains! Your first day is designated as your arrival day. We will meet at the Fryemont Inn in Bryson City, NC. In the evening we will meet for an orientation about the upcoming week and enjoy our first dinner at the inn.
Day 2 – After a hearty breakfast, we get geared up and spend the day kayaking Fontana Reservoir. Fontana Reservoir is a large lake with several “fingers” to explore and is surrounded mostly by public land.
Day 3 – After another filling breakfast, we head back to Fontana Reservoir to paddle into an area with an abandoned town. A short walk will take us to one of the original houses built in town. We will also visit Fontana Dam to learn more about the area.
Day 4 – Today we will get a leisurely start to the day. Later in the morning we will visit the Museum of the Cherokee Indian and then explore the Great Smoky National Park where we will look for elk later in the afternoon.
Day 5 – Today there are options, you can choose to do something on your own like hiking, rafting, fishing or relaxing at the inn and reading a book. Or you can choose to join the group on a pre-scheduled “foodie” tour in Asheville and explore the city.
Day 6 – On our last day we head back to a different part of Fontana Reservoir to explore and enjoy our final day of Appalachian kayaking.
Day 7 – We say our “good-byes” after breakfast and check out of the inn.
NOTE: There are a minimum number of participants required to confirm the trips. Therefore please do not make any travel arrangements (airline flights, train) until you have received confirmation from us that the trip has fully booked. A 50% deposit is due at time of reservation, with payment in full due 60 days prior to the trip’s start date.