Smoky Mountains Wilderness Base Camp
A Guided Wilderness Basecamp Experience in the Heart of the Smokies
Smoky Mountains Wilderness Base Camp is not glamping and not a campground.
It is a fully guided, off-grid basecamp created for immersive, multi-day exploration of Great Smoky Mountains National Park—led by the award-winning guides of A Walk in the Woods.
Built in 2017 as one of just four Signature Camps for REI Adventures, this 90-acre wilderness basecamp serves as a quiet, comfortable home for guests who want to truly experience the Smokies, not just visit them.
What This Experience Is (and Isn’t)
This is:
- A guided basecamp experience
- Led by professional naturalist guides
- Located on 90 acres of protected wilderness
- Limited to one group at a time
- Designed for learning, exploration, and connection
This is not:
- A luxury glamping resort
- A drive-in campground
- A self-guided stay
- A crowded or commercial environment
From the first hike to the final meal, every detail is handled by our team.
The Wilderness Base Camp
Smoky Mountains Wilderness Base Camp is intentionally simple, comfortable, and wild.
- 11 elevated tent platforms (11’ × 20’) set beside a mountain creek
- Creekside decks nestled in rhododendron
- Covered dining deck and fire pit
- Commercial camp kitchen and camp host facilities
- Bathhouse with flush toilets and partially open-air forest-view showers
- Spring-fed water system with filtration and UV purification
- No electricity, no crowds, no distractions
The camp is home to black bears, deer, bobcats, raccoons, and the full cast of Appalachian wildlife.
The Guided Experience
Most Wilderness Base Camp trips are 3-night, 4-day adventures.
Each trip includes:
- Daily guided hikes inside Great Smoky Mountains National Park
- Interpretation of biodiversity, wildlife, and human history
- All transportation in our 15-passenger vans
- All meals at camp
- A final day of whitewater rafting and ziplining
Guests meet in Gatlinburg for orientation, spend their days exploring the park with expert guides, and return each evening to a quiet, creek-side basecamp.
Who This Is For
Smoky Mountains Wilderness Base Camp is ideal for travelers who want:
- Expert guidance instead of self-navigation
- Comfort without luxury
- Solitude instead of crowds
- A meaningful connection to place
- If you’re looking for hot tubs and cocktails, this isn’t it.
If you’re looking for a deeply immersive Smoky Mountains experience, you’re in the right place.
