Adventure Trips

Fun, challenging, and affordable trips across the Southeast and beyond

Campus Recreation

Outdoor Adventure offers afternoon, full day, and extended adventure trips for students to explore, learn, and connect with eachother and the environment.

BOLT

BOLT Fall 2025

Buccaneer Outdoor Leadership Training

The Fall 2025 Cohort is full! Registration for Spring 2026 will open after Fall Break.

  • Description

    Looking to go deeper into camp craft, leadership, and outdoor activities such as backpacking, paddling, and climbing? Do you want to become a Trip Leader for Outdoor Adventure? Buccaneer Outdoor Leadership Training is for you! Join Outdoor Adventure for an experience like no other! BOLT is built on a foundation of backpacking with three adventure trips that teach an array of camp craft, outdoor hard skills, leadership, and group dynamics, The program fee includes all tripping gear, transportation, food, and leaders for all three outdoor trips and educational and reflective meetings throughout the semester. You will also receive exclusive BOLT swag and a celebration upon completion. For full details please see the Outdoor Adventure webpage.

    Expereince Level - No Expereince

    Fitness Level - 1 to 4- Easy Active to Strenuous (Trips progress in difficulty as program progresses)

    Requirements:
    · Must be able to attend all backcountry trips during semester
    · Must be able to attend 75% of additional meeting times
    · Must be able to function without access to electricity for 3 days or more. 
    · Must be able to understand and follow all instructions from Outdoor Adventure Staff.

    Physical Fitness: (Highly suggested minimums)
    • Ability to carry a minimum of 35lbs for an extended distance
    • Ability to run a mile in under 15 min
    • Bending, crouching, lifting with a load

  • Trip Details

    Trip Dates: (3 required and 1 optional)

    • (R) August 30-Sept 1 - Labor Day Weekend – Backpacking (Harper’s Creek, NC)
    • (R) October 17-19 Backpacking (Allen Gap to Rocky Fork)
    • (R) November 14-16 or 21-23 – Backpack the Roan Balds (Carvers Gap to 19E)
    • (O) After Semester Trip Dec 15-18 Based on participant interest and availability

    Meeting Dates:

    • Aug 27 (Intro)
    • August 29 (Pack-out)
      • Trip One – Aug 30 – Sept 1 
    • September 9 (Debrief/Group Processing and Dynamics)
    • September 23 (Gear/Food)
    • October 7 (Navigation/First Aid)
    • October 16 (Pack-out)
      • Trip Two Oct 17 – 19
    • October 21 (Debrief/Trip Planning and Logistics)
    • November 4 (Trip Plan Creation)
    • November 20 (Pack-Out)
      • Trip Three – November 21 – 23
    • December 5 – Celebration Lunch – 11:30am-1:30pm
  • Cost and Perks

    Cost:

    • $300 early-bird Deadline: May 15, 2025
    • $350 until May 31, 2025
    • $400 until June 15, 2025

    $100 Deposit due at registration and full payment due by July 30, 2025

    Cost includes all tripping gear, food, education, and leaders for all four outdoor trips and meetings throughout the semester.

    Perks:

    • BOLT Branded Swag
    • Camp Bowl
    • Outdoor Adventure Trip Discounts
    • Pro Deal Access - Outdoor ProLink

 

Fly Fishing Trips (Fall 2025 Schedule Coming Soon!)

  • Details

    Dates: TBD


    Location: Various Streams and Rivers

    Cost: FREE

    Registration Opens:  2 Weeks Prior to Trip

    Registration Closes: Day of Trip

    Join Outdoor Adventure on local streams and rivers to try your hand at fly fishing. We are seeking primarily trout of all kinds and our area has some of the best! All fishing gear, transportation, and guidance is provided. Each participant must have a Fishing License issued by TWRA. these can be purchased at gooutdoorstennessee.org and you must get a trout stamp as well. 

    Experience Level: No Experience to Some Experience 

    Fitness Level: Level 2-3 – Moderate to Vigorous

  fish

Fall 2025 Trip Schedule Coming Soon!

Register here for Outdoor Trips

Backpack

Introduction to Backpacking

Date: Aug. 30 - Sept. 1
Location: South Harper Creek, NC
Cost: $45
Time: 9:00am-5:00pm
Registration Opens:  Aug. 20 
Registration Closes: Aug. 27
Mandatory Info Meeting: Aug. 28 (Evening)
  • Details

    Learn the basics of backpacking while traveling through the South Harper Creek Wilderness Study Area in North Carolina. OA will provide all food, ggear, transportation, and instruction. 

     

    Experience Level: No Expereince to Some Experience

    Fitness Level: Level 1-3 - Easy Active to Vigorous

 

ducky

Duckies and Day Hiking

Date: Sept 6. - Sept. 7
Location: Nantahala River, NC
Cost: $40
Time: 8:00am – 6:00pm
Registration Opens: Aug. 25
Registration Closes: Sept. 3
Mandatory Info Meeting: Sept. 4 (Evening)
  • Details

    Come play in the Nantahala Gorge! We will take duckies (Inflatable kayaks) down the Nantahala River, Play in the upper river's swimming holes, and hike to the famous Wesser Fire Tower. Spend a night under the stars and come experience this grand adventure!

     

    Experience Level: Some Experience 

    Fitness Level: Level 2-3 – Moderate to Vigorous

 

paddleboard

Paddleboard Party 

Date: Sept. 13
Location: South Holston Lake, TN
Cost: $10
Time: 10:00am - 4:00pm 
Registration Opens: Sept. 1
Registration Closes: Sept. 11
  • Details

    Outdoor Adventure will be exploring the beautiful wonder of South Holston Lake on Stand-Up-Paddleboards. Come join us to discover this wonderful body of water! We will provide all gear and transportation to and from the lake.

     

    Experience Level: No Experience to Some Experience 

    Fitness Level: Level 2-3 – Moderate to Vigorous

bike

Rafting on the French Broad River

Date: Sept. 20
Location: French Broad River, NC
Cost: $20
Time: 9:00am – 5:00pm
Registration Opens: Sept. 8
Registration Closes: Sept. 18
  • Details

    Come spend the day decending Section 9 of the French Broad River in North Carolina. This is the third oldest river in the workd and wants you to come see in the best way, on a raft! OA will provide the gear, transportation, and guides.

     

    Experience Level: Some Experience (ability to swim)

    Fitness Level: Level 2-3 – Moderate to Vigorous

waterfall

Climbing at the Blackstacks 

Date: Sept. 27
Location: Blackstack Cliffs, Rocky Fork, TN
Cost: $15
Time: 10:00am-5:00pm
Registration Opens: Sept. 15
Registration Closes: Sept. 25
  • Details

    Transition to outside climbing with this unique feature of Rocky Fork State Park. The blackstack cliffs are beginner and advenced climber friendly and have something for everyone! 

     

    Experience Level: Some Experience 

    Fitness Level: Level 2-3 – Moderate to Vigorous

 

dragons

Dungeons and Dragons Backpacking

 

Date: October 3 - October 5
Location: Laurel Falls Trail, TN
Cost: $30
Time: 4:00pm – 4:00pm
Registration Opens: Sept. 1
Registration Closes: Oct. 1
Mandatory Info Meeting: Oct. 2
  • Details

    Do you love D&D and want to be led through a campaign while out in the actual wilderness? Move along the actual location with your dungeon masters on this unique backpacking expereince. OA will provide all gear, food, transportation, and dungeon masters. 

     

    Experience Level: Some Experience to Moderate Experience

    Fitness Level: Level 3-4 – Vigorous to Strenuous


 

bikepack

Fall Break Bike-Packing on Yancey Ridge

Date: Oct.11 - 13

Location: Yancey Ridge, NC

Cost: $65

Time: 8:00am-5:00pm

Registration Opens: Sept. 15

Registration Closes: Oct. 8 
Mandatory Info Meeting: Oct. 9
  • Details

    Join OA on our first bike packing trip ever! This 40 mile loop will take you through beautiful forest and up onto the Blue Ridge Parkway before dropping back down to the van. OA will provide all gear (including bikes), food, transportation, and leaders. 

     

    Experience Level: Some Experience to Moderate Experience

    Fitness Level: Level 3-4 – Vigorous to Strenuous

 

climb

Guest Appreciation Festival (GAF) at the Nantahala

Date: Oct. 24 - Oct. 26
Location: Nantahal Gorge, NC
Cost: $25
Time: 4:00pm - 5:00pm 
Registration Opens: Sept. 29
Registration Closes: Oct. 22
Mandatory Info Meeting: Oct. 23
  • Details

    Guest Appreciation Festival is one you don't want to miss at the Nantahala Gorge. Put on by the NOC, this event celebrates all things outdoors. OA will provide transportation, food, and camping for the weekend. Participants are welcome to pursue any number of outdoor activities avilable in the gorge while always having a home base. 

     

    Experience Level: Some Experience 

    Fitness Level: Level 2-3 – Moderate to Vigorous

 

backpack

Climbing Day in Guest River Gorge

Date: Nov. 1
Location: Guest River Gorge, VA
Cost: $15
Time: 8:00am – 5:00pm Saturday
Registration Opens: Oct. 16
Registration Closes: Oct. 30

  • Details

    Reach new heights with Outdoor Adventure at the Guest River Gorge! This day trip is the perfect opportunity to climb outside whether it's your first time or your 50th!

     

    Experience Level: Some Experience 

    Fitness Level: Level 2-3 – Moderate to Vigorous

 

cave

Bike or Cave Day (TBD)

Date: Nov. 8 
Location: TBD
Cost: $10
Time: 9:00am – 5:00pm
Registration Opens: Oct. 27
Registration Closes: Nov. 6

  • Details

    OA wants to know what you want more! Biking or Caving! We will do what the people want!

     

    Experience Level: No Experience to Some Experience 

    Fitness Level: Level 2-3 – Moderate to Vigorous

 

waterfall

Roan Balds Day Hike

 

Date: Nov. 15
Location: Carvers Gap, TN
Cost: $10
Time: 9:00am-5:00pm
Registration Opens: Nov. 3 
Registration Closes: Nov. 13

 

  • Details

    Enjoy the classic beauty of the Roan Mountain Balds on this excursion to one of the most wonderful views in the Southeast. OA will provide transportation and leaders for the hike.

     

    Experience Level: No Experience to Some Experience 

    Fitness Level: Level 2-3 – Moderate to Vigorous

 


backpack

More Trips???

 

  • Want More?
    Let us know what trips you would like to see by emailing us and who knows...we may just choose your trip idea!

 

 

Eligibility for Participation

Off-campus day trips are open to full and part-time, students, staff and faculty as well as adjunct faculty with vaild ETSU ID and active CPA Membership.

Off-campus overnight trips are open to full and part-time students with vaild ETSU ID and active CPA Membership.

All trips are non-refundable 7 days prior to departure date.

FAQ

  • How do I register for a trip?
    You can register for all trips through the Campus Recreation Portal. Log in using your ETSU credentials, find the trip you wnat to register for, and select it. Click register, fill out any information required and then pay for your trip. If you are having any issue or want to register in person, come by the Outdoor Adventure Center and an Outdoor Staff can assist you.
  • Who is eligable for trips?
    Off-campus day trips are open to full and part-time, students, staff and faculty as well as adjunct faculty with vaild ETSU ID and active CPA Membership.
    Off-campus overnight trips are open to full and part-time students with vaild ETSU ID and active CPA Membership
  • What is the cancellation/refund policy?
    If you are unable to attent a trip you've registered for you can email,call, or come by the Outdoor Adventure Center to let us know you would like to cancel your registration. All trips are non-refundable one week (7 days) prior to the departure date.
  • What does the trip fee cover?
    Trip fees typically cover necessary gear, food, transportation, permits, and Outdoor Staff to lead the trip.

 

Experience Levels

No Experience: No prior knowledge necessary! All required skills will be taught by instructors.

Some Experience: Basic skills and understanding needed. Some elements taught by instructors.

Moderate Experience: Fair amount of knowledge and ability to perform skills needed. Few elements taught by instructors.

Significant Experience: Ability to perform most or all skills needed and deep knowledge of activity. Little to no skills taught by isntructors.

Fitness Levels

Level 1: Easy Active: Minor physical ablity needed but movement is incorperated throughout.

Level 2: Moderate: Regular physical movement throughout and possibility of carrying up to 20lb load.

Level 3: Vigorous: Difficult physical movement throughout. Could travel up to five miles per day and possibility of carrying up to 40lb load.

Level 4: Strenuous: Difficult physical movment throughout with bouts of intense activity. Could travel up to 10 miles per day and possilibity of carrying up to 50lb load.