Backpacking
Introduction to Backcountry
Learn the basics of backcountry camping before you buy the gear.
- Duration
- 2 or 3 days
- Difficulty
- Easy–Moderate
From$470 per person
View & bookMulti-day backcountry
Guided backpacking trips on the Appalachian Trail and beyond
Step deeper into the Great Smoky Mountains with a professionally guided backpacking trip designed for safety, structure, and immersive wilderness experience. Your guide manages permits, route planning, weather monitoring, and risk. You focus on the experience.
- From
- $250
- Duration
- 1–5 nights
- Departs
- Gatlinburg area
- Guides
- WFA / WFR certified
Choose your format
These are not casual overnight hikes. These are professionally led backcountry experiences.
1–2 nights
Intro to Intermediate
Ideal for: First-time backpackers, couples, and active beginners
- Moderate mileage with instruction
- Permit management included
- Full gear consultation
- Synchronous firefly option
- Mother/daughter & father/son trips
- Most popular
2–3 nights
Intermediate to Advanced
Ideal for: Fit beginners to advanced backpackers seeking mileage, elevation, and solitude
- Longer mileage, more remote camps
- High-elevation ridgelines
- Backcountry fire tower lookouts
- Appalachian Trail shelter routes
- Custom advanced routes available
10 backpacking
Explore backpacking
Compare routes, difficulty, and pricing, then book the one that fits your group.
BackpackingOvernight with the Synchronous Fireflies
A summer night in the backcountry, waiting for the woods to light up.
- Duration
- 1 night
- Difficulty
- Easy–Moderate
From$450 per person
View & book- Backpacking
Appalachian Trail: 3-Day
Live a slice of the thru-hiker life on the A.T. through the Smokies.
- Duration
- 3 days / 2 nights
- Difficulty
- Moderate–Strenuous
From$655 per person
View & book - Backpacking
Appalachian Trail: 4-Day
Start at the A.T.’s highest point and ride the longest stretch above 5,000 ft.
- Duration
- 4 days / 3 nights
- Difficulty
- Moderate–Strenuous
From$935 per person
View & book - Backpacking
Two Tower Traverse
Two historic fire towers and the highest backcountry campsite in the park.
- Duration
- 4 days / 3 nights
- Difficulty
- Moderate–Strenuous
From$795 per person
View & book - Backpacking
Basecamp to Bunion
Creekside basecamp with an adventurous day hike to Charlies Bunion.
- Duration
- 3 days / 2 nights
- Difficulty
- Moderate–Strenuous
From$695 per person
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BackpackingWinter on the Peaks
Our favorite season: icicles, solitude, and views hidden the rest of the year.
- Duration
- 2 or 3 days
- Difficulty
- Moderate–Strenuous
From$385 per person
View & book- Backpacking
Mother & Daughter Adventure
A girls-only, all-inclusive trek to answer the call of the wild.
- Duration
- 3 days / 2 nights
- Difficulty
- Moderate
From$1,265 per pair
View & book - Backpacking
Father & Son Adventure
A boys-only, all-inclusive trek deep into the backcountry.
- Duration
- 3 days / 2 nights
- Difficulty
- Moderate
From$1,265 per pair
View & book - Backpacking
Custom Backpacking Trip
Design your own multi-day adventure across 100+ backcountry campsites.
- Duration
- 1–5 nights
- Difficulty
- Varies
From$250 per person
Inquire
Why go guided
More mountain, less guesswork.
The Smokies have over 850 miles of trails and more than 100 backcountry campsites, rapidly changing weather, limited cell coverage, and active wildlife. Without proper preparation it can quickly become overwhelming.
The right route
Selected based on your ability, fitness, and scenic priorities.
Wildlife safety
Strict bear protocols, food storage, and campsite management.
Weather management
Continuous monitoring with a built-in safety margin.
Real camp food
Fresh, local meals cooked in camp are often a highlight of the trip.
What to expect
We keep it organized, safe, and intentional.
- 01
Before your trip
- Gear consultation and packing list
- Backcountry permits handled
- Participant registration, waiver & health form
- 02
During your trip
- Daily risk assessment
- Wildlife food storage enforcement
- Structured pace and fatigue management
- 03
After your trip
- Confidence for your next trip out
- Recommendations for more Smoky Mountain experiences
FAQ
Backpacking: common questions
Not sure which is right for you? Call 865-223-5397 and we’ll help you choose.
Do I need backpacking experience?
No. We offer beginner-friendly trips with full instruction built in. Introduction to Backcountry is designed as a workshop.
Are permits included?
Yes. We manage all required backcountry permits.
Do I need my own gear?
SMG provides high-quality equipment on many trips, and our Mother/Daughter and Father/Son trips are fully all-inclusive. Gear rentals are also available.
How physically demanding is it?
Trips are matched to your ability and fitness level, and we tailor the route to you.
Is this private or group?
Both. A 4+ person private trip carries no additional cost; 2-person private trips have an added fee.
Ready for backpacking in the Smokies?
Book online in minutes, or call and we’ll help you choose the right trip for your group.