• Elkmont Ghost Town - We’ll hike along one of the mightiest rivers in Great Smoky Mountains National Park as we learn about the history of the founding of the park and how the lives of loggers, CCC workers, pioneer farmers, and the earliest mountain recreational visitors intersected.

• Complimentary bottled water
• Tasty snacks included

Our journey commences with pickup from our base in Gatlinburg, TN. We’ll be traveling in eco-friendly, comfortable vans to our first destination - the ruins of an erstwhile resort town over a century old. Here, we explore the history of logging in the Smoky Mountains, the lifestyle of the initial Appalachian settlers, and the establishment of the national park. Continuing onward, we’ll traverse one of the most picturesque routes in the southeast, taking in the breath-taking mountain landscape. On the way, we’ll make pit stops at stunning vantage points for photo opportunities and to discuss the geography of the area. Ultimately, we’ll reach Newfound Gap, the 5,000 feet high division between Tennessee and North Carolina. At this point, we’ll delve into the history of the sprawling 2,200 mile Appalachian Trail and the location of President Franklin Roosevelt’s park dedication speech in 1940.

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.