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 trip

BOLT Fall 2026

Buccaneer Outdoor Leadership Training

  • 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? Do you want to lead Orientation Trips in the summer?

    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.

    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: 

    • August 29 – Rafting on FB-9

    • October 24-25 – Backpacking Overnighter

    • November 20-22 –  Backpacking 2 Nights

    • December 13-16 – Backpack 3 Nights with Climbing

    •  

    Meeting Dates:

    • Weekly Meetings Beginning February 1 until the first trip. Meetings then become more wide spaced.

    • Details to be decided based on participant availability

  • Cost and Perks

    Cost:

    • $300 

    $100 Deposit due at registration and full payment due by August 24

    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
    • Pro Deal Access - Outdoor ProLink

 

Fall 2026 Trip Schedule

Register here for Outdoor Trips

sup

Meet You There Paddle Day

at Watauga Lake

Date: Sunday, August 30
Location: Shook Branch Picnic Area, Watauga Lake
Cost: FREE
Time: 10:00am-4:00pm
Registration Opens:  Aug. 24
Registration Closes: Aug. 29
  • Details

    Bring yourself to the lake and OA will provide the watercraft! Come ready to paddle and swim. Consider carpooling as there is a small use fee for the picnic area paid by car! Boats are first come fist serve.

    Experience Level: No Expereince to Some Expereince

    Fitness Level: Level 1-2 - Easy Active to Moderate

 

lake james

Lake James Paddle Camping

Date: Saturday, September 5 - Monday, September 7
Location: Lake James, NC
Cost: $40
Time: 9:00am – 5:00pm
Registration Opens: Aug. 24
Registration Closes: Sept. 2
  • Details

    Join OA as we explore the wonderful Lake James over Labor Day! We will base camp in the campground and explore the lake on watercraft by day. Maybe even do some fishing! All gear, transportation, and food provided by OA!

     

    Experience Level: No Experience to Some Experience 

    Fitness Level: Level 2-3 – Moderate to Vigorous

backpack

Beginner Backpacking

at Laurel Falls

Date: Friday, September 11 - Sunday, September 13
Location:  Beech Mountain, NC
Cost: $35
Time: 4:00pm - 2:00pm 
Registration Opens: Aug. 24
Registration Closes: Sept. 9
  • Details

    Learn the basics of backpacking with OA. Hike along the AT form Dennis Cove to Laurel Falls and develop skills in campcraft and trail travel. All gear, transportation, and food provided. 

    Experience Level: No Experience to Moderate Experience

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

waterfall group

Watermelons and Waterfalls

Date: Saturday, September 12
Location: Elk Falls, NC
Cost: $10
Time: 8:00am – 5:00pm
Registration Opens: Aug 28
Registration Closes: Sept. 11
  • Details

    Frolic in the falls and water with the melons at Elk Falls in North Carolina. Play and swim and feast with OA. Transportation and food provided.

     

    Experience Level: No Experience

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

rafting

Frecnch Broad Whitewater Rafting

Date: Sunday, September 20
Location: French Broad River, Section 9, NC
Cost: $20
Time: 8:00am-4:00pm
Registration Opens: Sept. 4
Registration Closes: Sept. 18
  • Details

    Raft down the third oldest river in the world, the French Broad River, on Outdoor Adventures whitewater rafts! Section 9 boasts Class 3 rapids with ample opportunity to splash, jump in, and swim in this iconic river. OA will provide transportation, guides, and all gear. 

    Experience Level: No Experience


    Fitness Level: Level 2 – Moderate (Ability to swim recommended) 

 

yoga

Sunset Swifties Yoga

on Buffalo Mountain

 

Date: Tuesday, September 22
Location: Buffalo Mountain, TN
Cost: $5
Time: 5:00pm – 8:00pm
Registration Opens: Sept. 8
Registration Closes: Sept. 21

  • Details

    Join Fitness and OA for a joint venture to local Buffalo Mountain to do some yoga as the sun sets!

     

    Experience Level: Some Experience to Moderate Experience

    Fitness Level: Level 2-3 – Moderate to Vigorous


 

rafti

French Broad Whitewater Rafting

Date: Sunday, September 27

Location: French Broad River, Section 9, NC

Cost: $20

Time: 8:00am-4:00pm

Registration Opens: Sept. 11

Registration Closes: Sept. 25
  • Details

    ROUND 2! Raft down the third oldest river in the world, the French Broad River, on Outdoor Adventures whitewater rafts! Section 9 boasts Class 3 rapids with ample opportunity to splash, jump in, and swim in this iconic river. OA will provide transportation, guides, and all gear. 

    Experience Level: No Experience


    Fitness Level: Level 2 – Moderate (Ability to swim recommended) 

 

SUP

Paddleboard the Nolichucky River

Date: Saturday, October 3
Location: Lower Nolichucky River, TN
Cost: $15
Time: 9:00am - 2:00pm 
Registration Opens: Sept. 17
Registration Closes: Oct.1
  • Details

    SUP a fun calmer section of the Nolichucky River through the heart of North East TN. Discover the limestone river bed and seek some fish! All gear, transportation, and guides provided.

     

    Experience Level: No Experience 

    Fitness Level: Level 2-3 – Moderate to Vigorous

 

backpack adam

Fall Break Backpacking

in Smoky Mountain National Park 

Date: Saturday, October 10-Tuesday, October 13
Location: Smoky Mountain National Park, TN/NC
Cost: $100
Time: 9:00am – 4:00pm
Registration Opens: Sept. 9
Registration Closes: Oct. 7
Mandatory Prep Meeting: TBD based on participant availability

  • Details

    Backpack over Fall Break in one of the best National Parks around! Discover elk, bear, and amazing views. All transportation, gear, and food provided. 

     

    Experience Level: Some Experience 

    Fitness Level: Level 2-3 – Moderate to Vigorous

 

new river

Bridge Day (Camp and Hike)

at New River Gorge National Park

Date: Friday, October 16-Sunday, October 18
Location: New River Gorge National Park, WV
Cost: $50
Time: 4:00pm – 5:00pm
Registration Opens: Sept. 16
Registration Closes: Oct. 14
Mandatory Prep Meeting: TBD based on participant availability

  • Details

    Visit West Virginia's largest single day festival "Bridge Day" to watch BASE jumpers while camping and hiking in New River Gorge National Park and Preserve. All gear, transportation, and (most) food provided by OA.

    Experience Level: No Experience


    Fitness Level: Level 2 – Moderate 

 

climb

Rumbling Bald Climbing Day

 

Date: Saturday, October 24
Location: Rumbling Bald, NC
Cost: $15
Time: 8:00am-5:00pm
Registration Opens: Oct. 8
Registration Closes: Oct. 22

 

  • Details

    Hit the rock outdoors and test your skills at one of the premier climbing areas of the Southeast. All gear and transportation provided. 

     

    Experience Level: Some Experience to Moderate Expereince

    Fitness Level: Level 2-3 – Moderate to Vigorous

 


bike

Bike and Hike Weekend

at Bent Creek Forest

 

Date: Friday, November 6-Sunday, November 8
Location: Bent Creek Experimental Forest, NC
Cost: $40
Time: 4:00pm-5:00pm
Registration Opens: Oct. 7
Registration Closes: Nov. 4
  • Details

    Explore the incredible Bent Creek Forest on both bike and foot with OA. Camp in the campground under the stars or in a tent. Build fires and cook good food! All gear (including bikes) transportation and food provided.

     

    Experience Level: Some Experience to Moderate Expereince

    Fitness Level: Level 2-3 – Moderate to Vigorous

 


cave

Worleys Caving Day

 

Date: Saturday, November 14
Location: Bluff City, TN
Cost: $5 + $10 Cash for Cave Entry
Time: 9:00am-5:00pm
Registration Opens: Oct. 29
Registration Closes: Nov. 12
  • Details

    Explore underground East Tennessee through Worleys Cave. A wild cave that boasts blind fish, fossils, and a stream. All gear, transportation, and guides provided by OA.

    Experience Level: Some Experience to Moderate Expereince

    Fitness Level: Level 2-3 – Moderate to Vigorous


sunset

Sunset De-Stress Hike

on Buffalo Mountain

 

Date: Friday, December 4
Location: Buffalo Mountain, TN
Cost: $5
Time: 5:00pm-8:00pm
Registration Opens: Nov. 19
Registration Closes: Dec. 3
  • Details

    Relax while enjoying the sunset on Buffalo Mountain near campus. Enjoy a short hike to watch the sunset and sip on hot coco. Transportation provided.

    Experience Level: No Experience


    Fitness Level: Level 2 – Moderate 

 

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.