September at Three Little Bears Retreat is where summer adventure begins to give way to the first hints of fall in the Smokies. Warm days remain ideal for waterfalls, kayaking, fly fishing, and mountain exploration, while cooler mornings and longer evenings invite wildlife safaris, campfires, stargazing, and time together around the lodge.

This month also introduces several of our signature Retreat experiences, including Labor Day Family Adventure Weekend, Couples Unplugged, the Summit Series, Harvest Arts & Wine, and Fall Trout Camp. Guests staying during these special periods may join the themed programming as space allows, while our regular guided adventures continue throughout the month.

Activities may shift slightly with weather, wildlife movement, trail conditions, river levels, or seasonal opportunities so our guides can shape each day around the best possible Smoky Mountain experience.

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Main Included Adventure: A high-country expedition through Newfound Gap and Kuwohi with sweeping Smoky Mountain overlooks, cooler mountain air, and opportunities to explore the highest elevations of the National Park.

Onsite Activities: Archery • Axe Throwing • Nuwati Trail • Outdoor Games • Optional Morning Native Planting • Retreat Arts & Crafts.

Post-Safari Extensions: Cherokee • Mingo Falls • Oconaluftee Valley.

Evening Programming: Board game night followed by a campfire with Chef's desserts, stories, and s'mores.

Optional Add-On Evening Programming: Appalachian art classes as available: painting, silversmith, pottery. Appalachian music classes: banjo, Cherokee flute, guitar. Requires a minimum of 4 participants to schedule.

Main Included Adventure: A guided journey through Cherokee and Appalachian history with stops around Oconaluftee, Mingus Mill, historic landscapes, and wildlife habitat.

Onsite Activities: Native Planting • Camp Cookery • Archery • Wooden Games • Retreat Arts & Crafts.

Post-Safari Extensions: Museum of the Cherokee People • Mingo Falls • Horseback Riding.

Evening Programming: Unplugged wooden arcade night followed by a campfire with Chef's desserts, stories, and s'mores.

Optional Add-On Evening Programming: Appalachian art classes as available: painting, silversmith, pottery. Appalachian music classes: banjo, Cherokee flute, guitar. Requires a minimum of 4 participants to schedule.

Morning: Free time at the Retreat or choose from optional morning adventures before joining the afternoon expedition.

Optional Morning Activities: Great Smoky Mountains Railroad • E-bike the Road to Nowhere • Fly Fishing the Nantahala • Early Whitewater Rafting on the Nantahala.

Main Included Adventure: Meet Great Smoky Mountains Railroad participants at the Nantahala Outdoor Center in the afternoon, followed by a choice of an easy riverside hike or a guided hike to Wesser Bald Fire Tower.

Scenic Drive: Continue from Wesser Bald down toward the Little Tennessee River, exploring mountain backroads, an old town site, and one of the area's few remaining historic swinging bridges before returning to the Retreat.

Onsite Activities: Wilderness Skills • Axe Throwing • Hammocks • Lawn Games • Optional Morning Native Planting • Retreat Arts & Crafts.

Post-Safari Extensions: Nantahala Outdoor Center • Riverside Exploration • Scenic Photography • Local Mountain Stops.

Evening Programming: Board game night followed by a campfire with Chef's desserts, stories, and s'mores.

Optional Add-On Evening Programming: Appalachian art classes as available: painting, silversmith, pottery. Appalachian music classes: banjo, Cherokee flute, guitar. Requires a minimum of 4 participants to schedule.

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Special Weekend: Labor Day Family Adventure Weekend begins.

Afternoon Programming: 3:00 PM arrival and Retreat time followed by 4:00 PM archery and age-appropriate axe throwing.

Evening Programming: 6:00 PM sundowners and supper followed by an 8:00 PM welcome campfire with Chef's desserts, stories, and s'mores.

Morning Wellness: 8:00 AM Tai Chi followed by 8:30 AM Camp Cookery breakfast.

Main Included Adventure: 9:45 AM Road to Nowhere Safari with Lakeview Drive, scenic overlooks, the historic tunnel, Noland Creek exploration, and a 12:45 PM overlook picnic.

Afternoon: 2:00 PM free Retreat time for the spa, hot tubs, games, hammocks, Nuwati Trail, or simply relaxing together.

Evening Programming: 6:00 PM early supper followed by a 7:00 PM Evening Wildlife Safari and Cherokee-area bonfire experience, with Chef's desserts, stories, and s'mores.

Morning Programming: 8:00 AM native planting and family conservation activity followed by a 9:30 AM campfire brunch and free family time.

Main Included Adventure: 12:15 PM lakeside picnic followed by 1:15 PM Fontana Lake kayaking.

Onsite Alternatives: Optional wellness • Hammocks • Archery • Retreat Arts & Crafts • Outdoor Games • Family Free Time.

Evening Programming: 6:30 PM Labor Day dinner followed by the 7:00 PM Bluegrass Fireside Finale, campfire with Chef's desserts, stories, and s'mores. Optional stargazing follows later in the evening.

Main Included Adventure: 7:45 AM Coffee & Waterfalls outing designed as a memorable final adventure before departure.

Morning Programming: Return to the Retreat for 9:30 AM Camp Cookery breakfast.

Departure: 11:00 AM departure.

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Main Included Adventure: A guided journey through Joyce Kilmer Memorial Forest and the ancient trees of the Nantahala National Forest, followed by scenic exploration around Fontana Lake.

Onsite Activities: Forest Bathing • Archery • Camp Cookery • Hammocks • Optional Morning Native Planting • Retreat Arts & Crafts.

Post-Safari Extensions: Fontana Dam • Tapoco • Cheoah Beach • Gem Mining.

Evening Programming: Unplugged wooden arcade night followed by a campfire with Chef's desserts, stories, and s'mores.

Optional Add-On Evening Programming: Appalachian art classes as available: painting, silversmith, pottery. Appalachian music classes: banjo, Cherokee flute, guitar. Requires a minimum of 4 participants to schedule.

Main Included Adventure: A full scenic loop incorporating Deep Creek waterfalls, Bryson City, Mingo Falls, the Blue Ridge Parkway, Waterrock Knob, Soco Falls, and select local brewery stops.

Onsite Activities: Axe Throwing • Archery • Spa & Wellness • Outdoor Games • Optional Morning Native Planting • Retreat Arts & Crafts.

Evening Programming: Board game night followed by a campfire with Chef's desserts, stories, and s'mores. Optional stargazing follows later in the evening.

Optional Add-On Evening Programming: Appalachian art classes as available: painting, silversmith, pottery. Appalachian music classes: banjo, Cherokee flute, guitar. Requires a minimum of 4 participants to schedule.

Main Included Adventure: High Smokies Safari through Newfound Gap, Kuwohi, mountain overlooks, and wildlife country.

Onsite Activities: Tai Chi • Forest Bathing • Hammocks • Archery • Optional Morning Native Planting • Retreat Arts & Crafts.

Evening Programming: Board game night followed by a campfire with Chef's desserts, stories, and s'mores. Optional New Moon stargazing follows later in the evening.

Special Event: New Moon — one of September's best opportunities for dark-sky viewing.

Optional Add-On Evening Programming: Appalachian art classes as available: painting, silversmith, pottery. Appalachian music classes: banjo, Cherokee flute, guitar. Requires a minimum of 4 participants to schedule.

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Special Weekend: Couples Unplugged begins.

Main Included Adventure: Road to Nowhere and Noland Creek expedition with scenic overlooks, tunnel exploration, and a mountain picnic.

Onsite Activities: Spa • Hammocks • Archery • Forest Walks • Couples Free Time • Optional Morning Native Planting • Retreat Arts & Crafts.

Evening Programming: Appalachian music entertainment followed by a relaxed couples campfire with Chef's desserts, stories, and s'mores. Optional dark-sky stargazing follows later in the evening.

Optional Add-On Evening Programming: Appalachian art classes as available: painting, silversmith, pottery. Appalachian music classes: banjo, Cherokee flute, guitar. Requires a minimum of 4 participants to schedule.

Main Included Adventure: Wesser Bald Fire Tower expedition followed by a scenic picnic overlooking the Nantahala Gorge.

Onsite Activities: Couples Wellness • Spa • Outdoor Games • Hammocks • Retreat Arts & Crafts.

Post-Safari Extensions: Nantahala Outdoor Center • Rafting • Ziplining.

Evening Programming: Camp Cookery cooking class with Chef Neil followed by a relaxed couples campfire with Chef's desserts, stories, and s'mores.

Optional Add-On Evening Programming: Appalachian art classes as available: painting, silversmith, pottery. Appalachian music classes: banjo, Cherokee flute, guitar. Requires a minimum of 4 participants to schedule.

Morning Adventure: Begin the final morning of Couples Unplugged with an easy Coffee & Waterfalls hike, enjoying a quiet morning together in the Smokies before returning to the Retreat.

Campfire Brunch: Return from the waterfall walk for a relaxed Camp Cookery brunch around the fire, with time to slow down and enjoy the Retreat before a later departure.

Onsite Activities: Forest Bathing • Spa • Hammocks • Reading • Retreat Arts & Crafts.

Post-Safari Extensions: Longer Waterfall Hikes • Downtown Bryson City • Spa & Wellness • Additional Retreat Time.

Evening Programming: For guests extending their stay, board game night followed by a campfire with Chef's desserts, stories, and s'mores.

Optional Add-On Evening Programming: Appalachian art classes as available: painting, silversmith, pottery. Appalachian music classes: banjo, Cherokee flute, guitar. Requires a minimum of 4 participants to schedule.

Special Retreat: Summit Series begins for active adults and extended-stay Couples Unplugged guests.

Main Included Adventure: A challenging guided Smokies hike selected for mileage, elevation gain, conditions, and the abilities of the group.

Onsite Activities: Mobility • Stretching • Spa Recovery • Cold Plunge/Sauna as available • Optional Morning Native Planting • Retreat Arts & Crafts.

Evening Programming: Unplugged wooden arcade night followed by a campfire with Chef's desserts, stories, and s'mores.

Optional Add-On Evening Programming: Appalachian art classes as available: painting, silversmith, pottery. Appalachian music classes: banjo, Cherokee flute, guitar. Requires a minimum of 4 participants to schedule.

Main Included Adventure: A second challenging mountain day focused on high-country terrain, fire towers, ridgelines, or a significant Smokies summit.

Onsite Activities: Recovery Wellness • Spa • Hammocks • Mobility • Optional Morning Native Planting • Retreat Arts & Crafts.

Evening Programming: Board game night followed by a campfire with Chef's desserts, stories, and s'mores.

Optional Add-On Evening Programming: Appalachian art classes as available: painting, silversmith, pottery. Appalachian music classes: banjo, Cherokee flute, guitar. Requires a minimum of 4 participants to schedule.

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Main Included Adventure: Cherokee and Oconaluftee exploration combining Appalachian heritage, historic sites, and opportunities to observe the Smokies elk herd.

Onsite Activities: Native Planting • Archery • Camp Cookery • Outdoor Games • Retreat Arts & Crafts.

Post-Safari Extensions: Museum of the Cherokee People • Mingo Falls • Horseback Riding.

Evening Programming: Unplugged wooden arcade night followed by a campfire with Chef's desserts, stories, and s'mores.

Optional Add-On Evening Programming: Appalachian art classes as available: painting, silversmith, pottery. Appalachian music classes: banjo, Cherokee flute, guitar. Requires a minimum of 4 participants to schedule.

Main Included Adventure: Ancient forest exploration at Joyce Kilmer followed by a scenic journey through Fontana country.

Onsite Activities: Forest Bathing • Axe Throwing • Hammocks • Spa • Optional Morning Native Planting • Retreat Arts & Crafts.

Post-Safari Extensions: Fontana Dam • Tapoco • Cheoah Beach.

Evening Programming: Board game night followed by a campfire with Chef's desserts, stories, and s'mores.

Optional Add-On Evening Programming: Appalachian art classes as available: painting, silversmith, pottery. Appalachian music classes: banjo, Cherokee flute, guitar. Requires a minimum of 4 participants to schedule.

Morning: Free time at the Retreat or choose from optional morning adventures before joining the afternoon expedition.

Optional Morning Activities: Great Smoky Mountains Railroad • E-bike the Road to Nowhere • Fly Fishing the Nantahala • Early Whitewater Rafting on the Nantahala.

Main Included Adventure: Meet Great Smoky Mountains Railroad participants at the Nantahala Outdoor Center in the afternoon, followed by a choice of an easy riverside hike or a guided hike to Wesser Bald Fire Tower.

Scenic Drive: Continue from Wesser Bald down toward the Little Tennessee River, exploring mountain backroads, an old town site, and one of the area's few remaining historic swinging bridges before returning to the Retreat.

Onsite Activities: Archery • Axe Throwing • Nuwati Trail • Outdoor Games • Optional Morning Native Planting • Retreat Arts & Crafts.

Post-Safari Extensions: Nantahala Outdoor Center • Riverside Exploration • Scenic Photography • Local Mountain Stops.

Evening Programming: Unplugged wooden arcade night followed by a campfire with Chef's desserts, stories, and s'mores. Optional moon and stargazing follows later in the evening.

Optional Add-On Evening Programming: Appalachian art classes as available: painting, silversmith, pottery. Appalachian music classes: banjo, Cherokee flute, guitar. Requires a minimum of 4 participants to schedule.

Main Included Adventure: Guided Road to Nowhere expedition with Lakeview Drive overlooks, tunnel exploration, Noland Creek, and a scenic mountain picnic.

Onsite Activities: Family Camp Activities • Wellness Alternatives • Archery • Retreat Arts & Crafts.

Post-Safari Extensions: E-bike exploration • Afternoon train excursion • Downtown Bryson City.

Evening Programming: Board game night followed by a campfire with Chef's desserts, stories, and s'mores.

Optional Add-On Evening Programming: Appalachian art classes as available: painting, silversmith, pottery. Appalachian music classes: banjo, Cherokee flute, guitar. Requires a minimum of 4 participants to schedule.

Morning Adventure: Begin the day with an easy Coffee & Waterfalls hike, enjoying a quiet morning in the Smokies before returning to the Retreat.

Campfire Brunch: Return from the waterfall walk for a relaxed Camp Cookery brunch around the fire with time to slow down and enjoy the Retreat.

Onsite Activities: Forest Bathing • Hammocks • Native Planting • Retreat Arts & Crafts.

Post-Safari Extensions: Tubing • Fly Fishing • Mountain Biking • Longer Hiking Loops.

Evening Programming: For guests extending their stay, unplugged wooden arcade night followed by a campfire with Chef's desserts, stories, and s'mores.

Optional Add-On Evening Programming: Appalachian art classes as available: painting, silversmith, pottery. Appalachian music classes: banjo, Cherokee flute, guitar. Requires a minimum of 4 participants to schedule.

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Main Included Adventure: High-elevation exploration through Newfound Gap, Kuwohi, scenic overlooks, and the changing early-fall landscape of the Smokies.

Onsite Activities: Archery • Spa & Wellness • Hammocks • Outdoor Games • Optional Morning Native Planting • Retreat Arts & Crafts.

Evening Programming: Board game night followed by a campfire with Chef's desserts, stories, and s'mores.

Optional Add-On Evening Programming: Appalachian art classes as available: painting, silversmith, pottery. Appalachian music classes: banjo, Cherokee flute, guitar. Requires a minimum of 4 participants to schedule.

Main Included Adventure: A scenic loop connecting mountain waterfalls, Blue Ridge Parkway overlooks, Waterrock Knob, Soco Falls, Bryson City, and select regional brewery stops.

Onsite Activities: Forest Bathing • Camp Cookery • Spa • Outdoor Games • Optional Morning Native Planting • Retreat Arts & Crafts.

Evening Programming: Autumn Equinox sunset gathering followed by an outdoor movie after dusk, then a campfire with Chef's desserts, stories, and s'mores.

Special Event: Autumn Equinox — the astronomical beginning of fall.

Optional Add-On Evening Programming: Appalachian art classes as available: painting, silversmith, pottery. Appalachian music classes: banjo, Cherokee flute, guitar. Requires a minimum of 4 participants to schedule.

Special Retreat: Harvest Arts & Wine begins.

Main Included Adventure: A slower scenic safari designed around inspiring mountain landscapes, waterfalls, overlooks, and opportunities for photography, sketching, or plein-air painting.

Cultural Programming: Guided art experience • Seasonal tasting • Wine • Appalachian creative traditions.

Evening Programming: Chef dinner and wine followed by Appalachian music entertainment and a campfire with Chef's desserts, stories, and s'mores.

Optional Add-On Evening Programming: Appalachian art classes as available: painting, silversmith, pottery. Appalachian music classes: banjo, Cherokee flute, guitar. Requires a minimum of 4 participants to schedule.

Main Included Adventure: Morning waterfall and landscape excursion followed by a relaxed return to the Retreat.

Cultural Programming: Art workshop • Cooking demonstration • Wine pairing • Seasonal Appalachian ingredients.

Evening Programming: Camp Cookery cooking class with Chef Neil featuring seasonal Appalachian ingredients followed by a campfire with Chef's desserts, stories, and s'mores.

Optional Add-On Evening Programming: Appalachian art classes as available: painting, silversmith, pottery. Appalachian music classes: banjo, Cherokee flute, guitar. Requires a minimum of 4 participants to schedule.

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Special Weekend: Fall Trout Camp begins. Guided fly-fishing excursions are an Exclusive Focus Add-On and are not included in the standard Retreat activity schedule.

Main Included Adventure: Road to Nowhere & Noland Creek Safari with Lakeview Drive overlooks, tunnel exploration, early-fall mountain scenery, and a scenic picnic.

Exclusive Focus Add-On — Additional Cost: Guided backcountry fly fishing on selected Smoky Mountain trout water, with stream reading, fly selection, conservation, and the quiet intimacy of smaller mountain streams. Advance reservation required. Guests participating in the fishing add-on may substitute this experience for the day's main safari.

Onsite Activities: Casting Practice • Spa Recovery • Hammocks • Retreat Arts & Crafts • Optional Morning Native Planting.

Post-Safari Extensions: E-bike the Road to Nowhere • Downtown Bryson City • Longer Noland Creek Hikes • Spa & Wellness.

Evening Programming: Outdoor movie after dusk followed by a campfire with Chef's desserts, stories, and s'mores. Optional Harvest Moon Eve stargazing follows later in the evening.

Optional Add-On Evening Programming: Appalachian art classes as available: painting, silversmith, pottery. Appalachian music classes: banjo, Cherokee flute, guitar. Requires a minimum of 4 participants to schedule.

Morning: Free time at the Retreat or choose from optional morning adventures before joining the afternoon expedition.

Optional Morning Activities: Great Smoky Mountains Railroad • E-bike the Road to Nowhere • Early Whitewater Rafting on the Nantahala • Retreat Arts & Crafts • Spa & Wellness • Relaxed Retreat Time.

Main Included Adventure: Meet Great Smoky Mountains Railroad participants at the Nantahala Outdoor Center in the afternoon, followed by a choice of an easy riverside hike or a hike to Wesser Bald Fire Tower.

Scenic Drive: Continue from Wesser Bald toward the Little Tennessee River, exploring mountain backroads, an old town site, and one of the area's few remaining historic swinging bridges before returning to the Retreat.

Exclusive Focus Add-On — Additional Cost: Guided drift-boat fly fishing on larger regional trout water. Advance reservation required. Guests participating in the fishing add-on may substitute this experience for the day's Nantahala–Wesser Bald adventure.

Onsite & Companion Programming: Spa & Recovery • Archery • Hammocks • Retreat Arts & Crafts • Downtown Bryson City • Scenic Photography.

Evening Programming: Trout Camp dinner followed by a campfire with Chef's desserts, stories, and s'mores. Harvest Moon viewing follows later in the evening.

Special Event: Full Harvest Moon.

Optional Add-On Evening Programming: Appalachian art classes as available: painting, silversmith, pottery. Appalachian music classes: banjo, Cherokee flute, guitar. Requires a minimum of 4 participants to schedule.

Morning Adventure: Begin the final morning of Fall Trout Camp with our signature Coffee & Waterfalls hike, enjoying a quiet morning in the Smokies before returning to the Retreat.

Campfire Brunch: Return from the waterfall walk for a relaxed Camp Cookery brunch around the fire, giving guests time to slow down, enjoy the property, and settle into an unhurried Sunday.

Afternoon Fall Touring Series: Join a supported scenic driving excursion selected around the best current early-fall foliage, weather, visibility, and road conditions. The route may incorporate the Blue Ridge Parkway, Waterrock Knob, Wayah Bald, Newfound Gap, Fontana, or another scenic mountain corridor offering the best conditions that day.

Best For: Leaf peepers • photographers • motorcycle touring groups • classic-car enthusiasts • sports-car groups • guests who simply want a relaxed scenic mountain drive.

Scenic Support: Guests may ride in the Retreat vehicle or follow in their own motorcycles, classic cars, sports cars, or touring vehicles while the Retreat support vehicle carries picnic provisions, water, extra layers, gear, and supplies.

Exclusive Focus Add-On — Additional Cost: Guided wade fly fishing on regional trout water. For Fall Trout Camp guests who completed the backcountry and drift excursions, this can serve as the final leg of the Three Little Bears Fly Fishing Grand Slam. Advance reservation required.

Three Little Bears Fly Fishing Grand Slam: Guests reserving all three guided specialty excursions can experience three distinct styles of Western North Carolina trout fishing across the weekend — backcountry fishing, drift-boat fishing, and wade fishing.

Onsite Activities: Spa Recovery • Forest Bathing • Hammocks • Retreat Arts & Crafts.

Departure: Later Sunday departure encouraged. Guests completing the guided Fly Fishing Grand Slam may have a different departure schedule based on their reserved fishing excursion.

Evening Programming: For guests extending their stay, board game night followed by a campfire with Chef's desserts, stories, and s'mores.

Optional Add-On Evening Programming: Appalachian art classes as available: painting, silversmith, pottery. Appalachian music classes: banjo, Cherokee flute, guitar. Requires a minimum of 4 participants to schedule.

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Main Included Adventure: A wildlife-focused journey through Cherokee and the Oconaluftee Valley with opportunities to observe elk and explore the cultural landscape of the eastern Smokies.

Onsite Activities: Native Planting • Archery • Forest Walks • Camp Cookery • Retreat Arts & Crafts.

Post-Safari Extensions: Mingo Falls • Museum of the Cherokee People • Horseback Riding.

Evening Programming: Outdoor movie after dusk followed by a campfire with Chef's desserts, stories, and s'mores.

Optional Add-On Evening Programming: Appalachian art classes as available: painting, silversmith, pottery. Appalachian music classes: banjo, Cherokee flute, guitar. Requires a minimum of 4 participants to schedule.

Main Included Adventure: A guided exploration of Joyce Kilmer's old-growth forest followed by Fontana Lake overlooks, historic mountain landscapes, and a scenic picnic.

Onsite Activities: Forest Bathing • Spa • Axe Throwing • Hammocks • Optional Morning Native Planting • Retreat Arts & Crafts.

Post-Safari Extensions: Fontana Dam • Tapoco • Cheoah Beach • Gem Mining.

Evening Programming: Board game night followed by a campfire with Chef's desserts, stories, and s'mores.

Optional Add-On Evening Programming: Appalachian art classes as available: painting, silversmith, pottery. Appalachian music classes: banjo, Cherokee flute, guitar. Requires a minimum of 4 participants to schedule.

Main Included Adventure: A scenic mountain loop connecting waterfalls, Blue Ridge Parkway overlooks, local history, and select Bryson City and Cherokee-area brewery stops.

Onsite Activities: Camp Cookery • Archery • Spa & Wellness • Outdoor Games • Optional Morning Native Planting • Retreat Arts & Crafts.

Evening Programming: Unplugged wooden arcade night followed by a campfire with Chef's desserts, stories, and s'mores.

Optional Add-On Evening Programming: Appalachian art classes as available: painting, silversmith, pottery. Appalachian music classes: banjo, Cherokee flute, guitar. Requires a minimum of 4 participants to schedule.

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September 4–7: Labor Day Family Adventure Weekend • September 10: New Moon Dark-Sky Night • September 11–13: Couples Unplugged Weekend • September 14–15: Summit Series • September 22: Autumn Equinox • September 23–24: Harvest Arts & Wine • September 25–27: Fall Trout Camp with Exclusive Focus Fly-Fishing Add-Ons & Three Little Bears Fly Fishing Grand Slam • September 26: Harvest Moon.

Sundays at Three Little Bears Retreat are designed to end the week slowly. Guests begin with an easy Coffee & Waterfalls hike before returning to the Retreat for a relaxed Camp Cookery brunch around the fire. The later Sunday rhythm gives guests another memorable mountain experience, time to enjoy the property, and the opportunity for a later departure rather than a rushed traditional checkout morning.

The Retreat's regular daily Adventure Calendar continues during Fall Trout Camp, allowing both anglers and non-anglers to enjoy the weekend together. Guided backcountry, drift-boat, and wade fly-fishing excursions are Exclusive Focus Add-Ons offered at an additional cost and require advance reservations.

Guests reserving a guided fishing excursion may substitute that experience for the day's standard Safari or touring adventure. Anglers who reserve all three fishing styles may pursue the Three Little Bears Fly Fishing Grand Slam by experiencing backcountry, drift-boat, and wade fly fishing across the three-day weekend.

Depending on the day's schedule, guests may enjoy archery, axe throwing, the Nuwati Trail, forest bathing, weekday tai chi, optional weekday morning native planting, wilderness skills, camp cookery, hammocks, Retreat Arts & Crafts, outdoor games, our unplugged wooden arcade, board games, spa and wellness experiences, or simply unstructured time together at the Retreat.

Many adventures can be extended with optional activities such as Deep Creek tubing, longer hiking loops, e-biking, mountain biking, downtown Bryson City, Museum of the Cherokee People, Mingo Falls, horseback riding, Fontana Dam, Nantahala Outdoor Center, rafting, ziplining, or other nearby experiences.

Evening programming rotates through board game nights, the unplugged wooden arcade, and outdoor movies when seasonal sunset allows. Outdoor movies begin later in September when darkness arrives early enough for comfortable viewing. Evening activities are generally followed by a campfire with Chef's desserts, stories, and s'mores. Stargazing, when scheduled, takes place later in the evening after the primary activity.

Couples weekends and food-and-wine weekends include one Camp Cookery cooking class with Chef Neil and one designated night of Appalachian music entertainment.

Optional Add-On Evening Programming: Appalachian art classes as available: painting, silversmith, pottery. Appalachian music classes: banjo, Cherokee flute, guitar. Requires a minimum of 4 participants to schedule.

Selected dates feature more demanding or specialty programming such as the Summit Series, challenging mountain hikes, Fall Trout Camp, the Three Little Bears Fly Fishing Grand Slam, Culture & Table experiences, and other seasonal adventures. These experiences may require advance reservations, additional fees, minimum participation levels, or appropriate physical conditioning.

Guests may further customize their Smoky Mountain stay with optional third-party excursions and specialty experiences including private fly fishing, whitewater rafting, horseback riding, Great Smoky Mountains Railroad excursions, guided art workshops, pontoon rentals on Fontana Lake, wine tastings, golf, and other seasonal experiences.

Daily adventures and evening programming are subject to adjustment based on weather, wildlife movement, trail and road conditions, river levels, guest abilities, and seasonal opportunities.

Adventure Out. Retreat In.