Guided Expedition Packages in Bryson City & the Great Smoky Mountains
Adventure Experiences at the Heart of America’s Most Storied Mountains
Nestled beside Bryson City and bordering Great Smoky Mountains National Park, 3 Little Bears Retreat offers immersive, guided expedition packages designed to connect guests with the landscapes, wildlife, and cultural heritage that inspired the creation of the national park itself.
From high-altitude summits and ancient trails to family adventures, fly-fishing safaris, and scenic driving expeditions, our curated experiences transform a mountain stay into a meaningful journey—one rooted in exploration, stewardship, and discovery.
Each expedition is led by expert local guides and recorded in your Wilderness Passport, creating a living record of accomplishment, memory, and connection to the Smokies.
Smoky Mountain Summit Challenge
Conquer the Roof of the Appalachians
The Smoky Mountain Summit Challenge is a guided, multi-day hiking expedition for those seeking true accomplishment in wild places. Centered near Bryson City, this challenge places you at the epicenter of the largest concentration of 6,000-foot peaks in the Eastern United States.
Within the national park alone rise 16 summits above 6,000 feet, forming a rare proving ground for serious hikers, peak collectors, and endurance-minded adventurers.
Participants work with our team to design a custom summit itinerary based on availability, fitness level, and desired intensity. The challenge may be completed in a single immersive expedition or across multiple return visits and includes:
Iconic peaks such as Mount LeConte, Mount Guyot, and Clingmans Dome
Remote ridgelines and lesser-known summits far from crowds
Endurance hikes, elevation-heavy ascents, and long traverses
Each summit is logged in your Wilderness Passport, transforming effort into legacy. Guided for safety, mastery, and meaning, this is a measured pursuit of excellence—not a race—through one of America’s most biologically rich mountain ranges.
Family Adventure Summer Camp
A Luxury Wilderness Camp for Parents & Children
The Family Adventure Summer Camp blends the magic of childhood summer camp with the comfort and intention of an upscale wilderness lodge. Offered as a 5-Day / 6-Night or 12-Day / 13-Night experience, this expedition allows families to slow down, reconnect, and rediscover the confidence and wonder that only time outdoors can build.
Programming alternates between:
Family adventure days exploring rivers, lakes, and forests together
Split-group days, where parents and older children pursue more challenging hikes or rafting while younger campers enjoy guided creative and skill-based experiences
Activities include tubing, firefly walks, stargazing, lake adventures, Appalachian cooking classes, wilderness skills, art exploration, and screen-free outdoor play. With expert guides, an acclaimed chef, and a dedicated wellness team, every detail is handled—allowing families to be fully present.
This is more than a vacation; it’s a shared chapter in your family’s story.
The Bryson Grand Slam Fly-Fishing Challenge
A Springtime Mountain Fly-Fishing Safari
The Bryson Grand Slam Fly-Fishing Challenge is a fully guided, 3-day / 5-night all-inclusive expedition timed to the Smokies’ prime spring season (late March through May). As trout emerge from winter and rivers come alive, anglers pursue a true Smoky Mountain “Grand Slam”:
Native Appalachian brook trout
Rainbow trout
Brown trout
Additional mountain trophy species
Each day features a new river system and fishing style—wade fishing freestone creeks, drift-boat fishing the Nantahala River and Tuckasegee River, and backcountry fishing remote high-elevation streams.
Evenings bring cowboy breakfasts, open-fire trout cookouts, farm-to-table meals, bourbon tastings, and fireside fellowship. This is fly fishing as both sport and culture—paced, intentional, and deeply rooted in place.
Wildlife Safaris & Naturalist Hikes
Explore the Most Biodiverse Temperate Forest on Earth
Join guided Wildlife Safaris & Naturalist Hikes in search of bears, elk, salamanders, and rare species across the Smokies. Special excursions include:
Cades Cove hiking or biking on vehicle-free days
Multi-day animal safaris with expert naturalists
June expeditions to witness the rare synchronous fireflies, found in only a few places worldwide
These journeys reveal why the Smokies are considered the most biologically diverse temperate forest on Earth.
Chasing Waterfalls
Guided Waterfall Hikes of Western North Carolina
Western North Carolina is home to one of the greatest concentrations of waterfalls on earth. Chasing Waterfalls is a guided hiking expedition exploring iconic and hidden cascades both inside and outside the national park.
Guests gather Wilderness Passport stamps for each waterfall discovered—turning exploration into a collectible journey. Routes range from gentle family-friendly hikes to longer backcountry treks, revealing the Smokies at their most elemental and alive.
Mountain Biking Expeditions
Singletrack, Backcountry & Legendary Finishes
Our Mountain Biking Expeditions are multi-day adventures linking some of the most celebrated trail systems in the Southeast, including:
Fire Mountain Trails
Deep Creek
Tsali Recreation Area
The experience culminates with a thrilling e-bike descent down the Road to Nowhere, finishing with an unforgettable ride through the abandoned tunnel—a perfect blend of adrenaline, scenery, and Smoky Mountain lore.
Scenic Caravan Tours
Motorcycle & Sports Car Expeditions
Join our multi-day Caravan Tours for motorcycles and sports cars as we traverse some of the most legendary driving roads in North America:
Tail of the Dragon
Cheoah Skyway
Blue Ridge Parkway
Seasonal offerings include spring wildflower rides, fall color tours, and mountain towns & brewery itineraries—guided, paced, and supported for maximum enjoyment.
Mount LeConte Summit Day
A Classic Smoky Mountain Ascent
One of the most iconic hikes in the United States, Mount LeConte is a full-day guided expedition requiring an early start to reach the summit before the lodge closes. This hike delivers every quintessential Smoky Mountain element—waterfalls, cliffs, spruce-fir forest, and panoramic views—earning its reputation as a must-do Appalachian achievement.
Appalachian Trail Expeditions
Hike the AT Through the Smokies
For those seeking a legendary challenge, we offer multi-day Appalachian Trail expeditions through the national park. These hikes require overnight backcountry camping and deliver sweeping views, physical accomplishment, and a deep connection to one of America’s most storied footpaths. Our guides handle planning, logistics, and safety so you can focus on the journey.
Custom Expeditions
Design Your Own Smoky Mountain Adventure
Have a specific goal, landscape, species, or experience in mind? From photography and foraging to heritage exploration or personal challenges, we specialize in custom-designed expeditions tailored entirely to you. Bring us your idea—we’ll help you make it real.
Summits & Fire Tower Expeditions
Designed for avid adventurers and experienced hikers, our guided expeditions dive deep into Great Smoky Mountains National Park, challenging guests to pursue the park’s highest achievements. Choose to summit all 16 of the Smokies’ legendary 6,000-foot peaks, or take on the iconic Fire Tower Challenge, hiking to historic lookout towers in and around the park where generations once watched over these mountains.
Led by seasoned guides, each multi-day expedition blends physical challenge with deep knowledge of terrain, weather, ecology, and mountain history. These journeys are not about speed or conquest, but about earning perspective—standing above the clouds, tracing ridgelines across ancient landscapes, and experiencing the Smokies at their most raw, rewarding, and unforgettable.