Women's Smoky Mountains Backpacking + Fly Fishing Trip (2026)

Discover the beauty of the Great Smoky Mountains while combining backpacking and fly fishing on this unique 3-day / 2-night Women’s Guided Backpacking adventure! Join Wildwood Hiking Company and co-guide Jayme Hanna, co-founder of Knox Girls Who Fly Fish, for an all-inclusive experience that blends backcountry exploration with famous fly fishing in the Smokies! Spend your days hiking through forested trails and along bubbling streams, then immerse yourself in learning the skill of fly fishing under the guidance of an expert instructor — all while enjoying the support and camaraderie of a women-only group.

Trip Highlights:

• Guided Fly Fishing Instruction: Learn the art of fly fishing, from tying knots to casting, wet wading, and catch & release with the support and instruction from an experienced female guide.

• Backpacking Skills & Basecamp Experience: Learn essential backpacking skills, from packing and setting up camp to stove use and water filtration, while enjoying a basecamp-style adventure in a scenic backcountry location.

• Women-Led Adventure: Every aspect of the trip is designed and guided by women, providing a safe, supportive environment to learn, explore, and build confidence outdoors.

• Scenic Trails & Streams: Explore the wilderness of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park with hikes through the lush forests to picturesque streams and waterfalls.

• Community & Connection: Enjoy campfire conversations, camaraderie with other women adventurers, and a shared experience that fosters lasting memories.
  

Cost: 

The cost for this trip is $1500 per person.

What's Included:

• Pre-Hike Virtual Orientation and planning with your guides
  
• Backcountry camping permits and fees
• Fly fishing gear 
• Backpacking gear (backpack, trekking poles, tent, sleeping pad, sleeping bag, cook kit, and water filtration)
• On-trail meals (breakfast, lunch, and dinner)

What's Not Included:

• Guide gratuity (suggested 15-20%)
• Transportation to/from airports
  
• Parking pass for the national park ($15 fee)
• Tennessee fishing license ($40 fee)
• Personal items such as clothing, sunglasses, toiletries, and water bottles

Group Size:

This trip is limited to 6 hikers plus your guide.  A minimum of 3 hikers is required for this trip to run.  If the minimum is not met, your guide will contact you with an option for a refund or booking credit.

Trip Difficulty: 

This is a beginner level backpacking trip with moderate difficulty, with some steep ascents, descents, rocky and rooty terrain, and creek crossings.  You will be expected to carry your own backpacking gear (between 25-30 pounds) for 3-5 hours each day as we hike to our campsite. Daily mileage depends on the route, but will be between 3-7 miles and up to 1500' of elevation gain per day.  This trip is best suited to those who have some previous hiking experience, but no fly fishing experience is required.  We recommend training for this hike ahead of time to condition your body to carrying extra weight (see FAQs for training ideas).

Itinerary: 

Due to permitting restrictions in the national park, we cannot make reservations for backcountry campsites until 25 days before the start of the trip.  Exact locations, routes, and mileage are dependent on campsite availability.  Your guide will send a detailed itinerary with the planned route and mileage approximately 2 weeks before the start of the trip.  Your guide will also share meeting locations and times with you once the itinerary has been set.  We usually meet around 9 am on the first day and try to finish our trip by 4 pm on the last day.

Sample Itinerary:

Day 1: Hike to Campsite - Meet your guide in the National Park, where your guide will distribute your gear and provide a brief orientation.  Then, hike about 3-7 miles to your campsite, stopping for lunch along the way.  At camp, you'll learn how to set up your tent and filter water, and then we'll cook dinner together.  Enjoy the evening relaxing around the campfire.

Day 2: Fly Fishing- Learn the basics of fly fishing, from tying knots to casting, and most importantly, catching fish!  Then, take a walk to a nearby stream to practice your skills from the banks or while wet-wading (no waders or dry-suits needed in the summertime, just water shoes with good traction).  Spend the day wading in the cool streams, catching native brook, brown, and rainbow trout, before heading back to the campsite for the evening.

Day 3: Fish + Hike Out: Wake up early if you'd like to fish for a bit longer, or sleep in and enjoy a lazy morning at camp. After breakfast and packing up camp, we'll hike out back to our starting point, finishing the day around 4 pm.

What to Bring:

Your guide will send you a detailed packing list prior to the trip, but you should expect to bring your own personal items such as clothing, water shoes, sunglasses, toiletries, and water bottles.  We will outfit you with a full gear set-up, including a 65 L backpack, trekking poles, tent, sleeping pad, sleeping bag, water filtration system, backpacking stove, and cook kit, along with necessary fly fishing gear. 

You will also need to purchase and bring proof of a Tennessee fishing license in order to participate in fly fishing. 

During your pre-hike virtual orientation, your guide will be available to answer any questions you have about the packing list. 

Getting There:

If you are flying, the closest major airport is the McGhee-Tyson Airport (TYS) in Alcoa, TN, just south of Knoxville. From there, you can rent a car to get to Gatlinburg, TN, the entrance to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.  There are many accommodations available in Gatlinburg, and we recommend you stay somewhere close by the night before the trip so you can start your hike well rested. 

While entrance to the park is free, guests are required to purchase a parking pass.  You can buy a pass online or at the visitor centers.