Adventure Trips

Providing enjoyable, challenging, and affordable programs

Outdoor Adventure (OA) offers a variety of fun outdoor trips. We are committed to providing enjoyable, challenging, and affordable programs that provide students with positive outdoor experiences that teach skills and knowledge to safely enjoy the outdoors. Our goal through these programs is to develop positive attitudes and actions that foster an environmental ethic by connecting to nature, and to one another.

Fish

Fly Fishing Trips

Afternoon - Full Day - Weekend

  • Description

    OA is excited to offer a multitude and variety of fly fishing expereinces throughout the semester! Join lead staff, Keaton Smith, for this instructional and hands on series of fly fishing opportunities. Afternoon trips will be held every other Monday, full day float boat trips on the Watauga will occur periodically, and a weekend trip at Doe River Gorge will take place in April. OA will provide all fishing gear and instruction. Come for one trip or join for them all!

    A fishing license is required and can be purchased from the TWRA. Prices can be found HERE. Note that resident and non-resident licenses have different cost. You will also need to get a license that includes Trout, as that is the main species we are fishing for! Licenses can be purchased online on the GoOutdoorsTennessee website.

    Expereince Level - No Expereince

    Fitness Level - 1 to 3- Easy Active to Vigirous (Wading and chilly water!)

  • Trip Details

    Afternoon Trips: (Cost - $5)Trips will travel to various locations within 30 minutes of Johnson City based on environmental conditions. In the event of blowout or weather issues, alternate instruction (casting practice, fly tying introductions, fly shop field trips) will be held.

    • Monday, February 5 - 3:30pm-6:30pm
    • Monday, February 19 - 3:30pm-6:30pm
    • Monday, March 4 - 3:30pm-6:30pm
    • Monday, March 18 - 3:30pm-6:30pm
    • Monday, April 1 - 3:30pm-6:30pm
    • Monday, April 29 - 3:30pm-6:30pm

    Float Boat Trips: (Cost - $15) These trips are limited to 4 participants as we will utilize our two Fishing Rafts that can accomadate 2 participants and a guide in each boat. These trips allow you to stay mostly dry and cover the maximum amount of water.

    • Saturday, February 24 - 9:30am-4:30pm
    • Saturday, April 20 - 9:30am-4:30pm (Canceled)

    Doe River Gorge Fishing Weekend: (Cost - $25) This will be an excursion to the beautiful Doe River Gorge where we will spend Saturday along the bank of the Doe River teaching casting and knots. We will then fish the lower section of the Doe River and camp in the woods by the water. On Sunday we will take a rail speeder into the gorge to get back and fish some amazing pools and tailwaters. OA will provide all camping and fishing gear, transportation, food, and instruction by experienced staff. 

    • April 13-14, 2024 – Saturday-Sunday

    Required Meeting: Thursday, April 11 (5:00pm)

Spring 2024 Outdoor Adventure Trip Schedule

To register for any trips please do so through the Campus Recreation Portal or visit the Outdoor Adventure Center during regular hours.

Backpack

Ski and Snowboarding at Beech Mountain

Date: January 27, 2024 – Saturday
Location: Beech Mtn, NC
Cost: $10
Time: 8:00am – 5:30pm
Registration Opens: Tuesday, Jan. 16
Registration Closes: Friday, Jan. 26 (5:00pm)
  • Details

    Need a ride to the slopes? Catch one with OA! We will be providing transportation to Beech Mountain for a full day of board time!  All slope access costs and rental costs are the responsibility of the participant but we will be getting a group discount. (Trip requires 13 or more participants for discount to apply so get your friends together!) Click here to see what those may be! 

     

    Experience Level: Some Experience to Significant Experience - OA will not be providing instruction but has experienced trip leaders!

    Fitness Level: Level 1-4 - Easy Active to Strenuous

 

lake

College Night Ski and Snowboard Shuttle

Date: See Details for Trip Dates
Location: Beech Mtn, NC
Cost: $5
Time: 4:00pm – 10:00pm
Registration Opens: Tuesday, Jan. 16
Registration Closes: Day of Shuttle Departure at 4:00pm
  • Details

    Dates:

    January 30, 2024 – Tuesday

    February 6, 2024 – Tuesday

    February 20, 2024 – Tuesday

    Need a ride to the slopes? Catch one with OA! We will be providing transportation to Beech Mountain. All slope access and rental prices are the responsibility of the participant. Tickets and waivers can be purchased and filled out beforehand online to maximize ski time when you arrive.

     

    Experience Level: Some Experience to Significant Experience

    Fitness Level: Level 1-4 - Easy Active to Strenuous

 

Cave

Caving Day

Date: February 10, 2024 - Saturday
Location: Worley's Cave, Bluff City, TN
Cost: $5 + bring $10 cash/venmo for cave entry
Time: 8:00am – 5:00pm
Registration Opens: Tuesday, Aug. 28
Registration Closes: Friday, Feb. 9 (5:00pm)
  • Details

    Delve under the earth in Worley's Cave beneath Bluff City, TN. Walk, slide, crawl, and wade your way through the full loop of the cave. Get muddy and enjoy lunch in the dark feeling the perfect temperature year-round! $8 CASH or Venmo required for cave entry fee.

     

    Experience Level: No Experience

    Fitness Level: Level 2 - Moderate - Squatting, crawling, and rolling possible

camp

Lone Oak Trail - Challenge Hike

Date: February 21, 2024 – Wednesday
Location: Lone Oak Trail, Johnson City, TN
Cost: FREE
Time: 3:30pm – 6:00pm
Registration Opens: Monday, Feb 5
Registration Closes: Tuesday, Feb. 22 (12:00pm)
  • Details

    Come hit the Lone Oak Trail on the back of Buffalo Mountain for a challenge hike! This 3.5 mile round trip trail gains 1200ft of elevation and takes you to the Tip Top of Buffalo Mountain Park. Located about 10 minutes from campus, the switchbacks are sure to give you a run (or brisk hike!) for your monies. Come challenge yourself on this classic local trail! 

     

    Experience Level: Some Experience 

    Fitness Level: Level 3-4 – Vigorous to Strenuous

raft

Breaks Interstate Climbing Trip

Date: March 1-3, 2024 – Friday-Sunday
Location: Breaks Interstate Park, VA
Cost: $30
Time: 4:00pm (Friday) – 5:00pm (Sunday)
Registration Opens: Monday, Jan. 29
Registration Closes: Monday, Feb. 26 (5:00pm)
  • Details

    Expand your outdoor climbing skills and ability with this amazing trip to Breaks Interstate Park on the border of Virginia and Kentucky. Departing Friday evening, you will be base camping Friday and Saturday nights with a full day of climbing on Saturday and half day on Sunday. The park boasts over 300 routes on bullet sandstone. This is truly a hidden gem of the South East!

    Required Meeting: Tuesday, February 27 (6:00pm)

     

    Experience Level: Some Experience (ability to belay preferred)

    Fitness Level: Level 2-3 – Moderate to Vigorous

 

SUP

Spring Break John Rock Backpacking

 

Date: March 10 – 13, 2023 – Sunday – Wednesday
Location: Art Loeb Trail – John Rock/Pisgah Ntl. Forest
Cost: $50
Time: 8:00am Sunday – 5:00pm Wednesday
Registration Opens: Monday, February 19
Registration Closes: Monday, March 4 (5:00pm)
  • Details

    Gear up with OA this Spring Break! Come along with our knowledgeable staff and backpack a section of the amazing Art Loeb Trail in the John Rock area of Pisgah National Forest. This is a 4 day trip that allows you to immense beauty. We will be traveling from the Davidson River campground to the Trout Hatchery below John Rock. We will be leaving on the 10th of March in the morning and returning on the 13th in the afternoon/evening. This trail has ups and downs with some harder climbs and great campsites.

    Tuesday, March 5 (6:00pm) and Friday, March 8 (5:00pm)

    Experience Level: Some Experience - Camping experience recommended

    Fitness Level: Level 4 - Strenuous


 

paddlepack

Watauga River Paddle Day

Date: March 23, 2024 – Saturday

Location: Watauga River 

Cost: $10

Time: 10:00am – 4:00pm

Registration Opens: Monday, March 4

Registration Closes: Friday, March 22 (5:00pm)
  • Details

    Paddle along the Watauga River from the dam through Elizabethton. Watch fish swim under your craft and enjoy the company of others as you float the flat sections and sometimes get a little action in some boogie water! Want to fish as well? Simply make sure you have a fishing license from the TWRA and use one of our rods and tackle!

     

    Experience Level: Some Experience 

    Fitness Level: Level 2-3 – Moderate - Vigorous

 

hike

White Rocks Trail - Challenge Hike

Date: March 26, 2024 – Tuesday
Location: White Rocks Trail, Johnson City, TN
Cost: FREE
Time: 4:00pm – 7:00pm
Registration Opens: Tuesday, March 5
Registration Closes: Tuesday, March. 26 (12:00pm)
  • Details

    Come hit the White Rocks Trail in Buffalo Mountain Park for a challenge hike! This 5 mile loop trip trail gains 1300ft of elevation and takes you around Buffalo Mountain Park to multiple amazing overlooks and views of Johnson City and the Valley Beautiful. Located about 10 minutes from campus, the wonderful single-track is sure to give you a run (or brisk hike!) for your monies. Come challenge yourself on this classic local trail! 

     

    Experience Level: Some Experience 

    Fitness Level: Level 3-4 – Vigorous to Strenuous

 

climb

Climbing at Hidden Valley

Date: April 6, 2024 - Saturday
Location: Hidden Valley, VA
Cost: $10
Time: 8:00am – 5:00pm 
Registration Opens: Friday, March 22
Registration Closes: Friday, April 5 (5:00pm)
  • Details

    Explore the real rock of the great outdoors with OA! Put your skills to the test at Hidden Valley in Virginia. OA will provide transportation, harnesses, helmets, and climbing shoes but you are welcome to bring your own gear. OA will check it before use. OA will also provide all ropes and anchor gear and will set up all climbs! 

     

    Experience Level: Some Experience (ETSU Belay Certification recommended)

    Fitness Level: Level 3 – Vigorous

 

bike

Tweetsie Biking Afternoon

Date: April 10, 2024 - Wednesday
Location: Tweetsie Trail, Johnson City, TN
Cost: $5
Time: 4:00pm – 6:30pm 
Registration Opens: Wednesday, March 27
Registration Closes: Tuesday, April 9 (5:00pm)
  • Details

    Ride with OA on the local Tweetsie Trail following the historic railroad. We will ride from the Johnson City Terminus to Sycamore Shoals State Historic Site and back. This is near a 12-mile round trip. The trail is nearly flat and made of hardpacked pea gravel. This will be a fun and beginner friendly bike trip! OA will provide bikes, helmets, transportation, and a guide.

     

    Experience Level: Some Experience (ability to ride a bike)

    Fitness Level: Level 2 – Moderate

 

fish

Doe River Fishing - Overnight

 

Date: April 13-14, 2024 – Saturday-Sunday
Location: Doe River Gorge, Hampton, TN
Cost: $25
Time: 9:00am (Saturday) – 5:00pm (Sunday)
Registration Opens: Monday, March 18
Registration Closes: Tuesday, April 9 (5:00pm)
  • Details

    OA is excited to invite you to join on our first overnight fly fishing trip. This will be an excursion to the beautiful Doe River Gorge where we will spend Saturday along the bank of the Doe River teaching casting and knots. We will then fish the lower section of the Doe River and camp in the woods by the water. On Sunday we will take a rail speeder into the gorge to get back and fish some amazing pools and tailwaters. OA will provide all camping and fishing gear, transportation, food, and instruction by experienced staff. 

    Required Meeting: Thursday, April 11 (5:00pm)

     

    Experience Level: Some Experience 

    Fitness Level: Level 2 – Moderate

nighthike

Earth Day Night Hike

 

Date: April 22, 2024 - Monday
Location: TBD
Cost: $5
Time: TBD
Registration Opens: Monday, April 8
Registration Closes: Monday, April 22 (12:00pm)
  • Details

    Come celebrate Earth Day with OA! We will be providing transportation to a fabulous night hike! We would love to have you celebrate with us!

    Experience Level: No Experience!

    Fitness Level: Level 2 – Moderate

boone

Meet You There Paddle Day

Date: April 27, 2024 - Saturday
Location: Winged Deer Park, TN
Cost: FREE
Time: 11:00am – 4:00pm
Registration Opens: Monday, April 15
Registration Closes: Friday, April 26 (5:00pm)
  • Details

    All you have to do is show up and enjoy the warm weather before the summer begins! We will be paddling the waters on Lake Fort Patrick Henry. OA will provide paddleboards, kayaks, canoes, paddles, and PFDs. Carpool with your friends and get out your sunscreen! (Sign-ups are recommended as we may not have enough watercraft!

     

    Experience Level: No Experience! Ability to swim recommended

    Fitness Level: Level 1 - Easy Active

 

 

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 5 days prior to departure date.

 

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.