Great Smoky Mountains NP 4K (Part VI): Packrafting/Overnight Backpacking to Island on Fontana Lake

On this September trip to the Great Smoky Mountains, we visit Shenandoah National Park, Skyline Drive, James Madison University, Pigeon Forge & Gatlinburg Tennessee, Cades Cove, Fontana Dam (North Carolina), The Devil's Tail, and much more.
We hike some of the Smokies' most iconic hikes (Chimney Tops, Clingman's Dome, The Appalachian Trail, Mount Collins, Abrams Falls, Alum Cave, and an awesome overnight backpacking/packrafting trip to camp on an island in the middle of Fontana Dam in North Carolina.
There is a lot more exploring of the local area in this video series than many of our other, more wilderness-centric, series. As you'll see, it was basically impossible to ignore the wild and wonderful surrounding area of the Great Smoky Mountain National Park.
The sixth video in the series finds half of noBear heading out for their final, and most ambitious, backpacking adventure of the trip.
We drive to Fontana Dam village in North Carolina. This area is an iconic section of the Appalachian Trail. We hike a little over 2 miles from the Dam to where we put out in our packrafts.
We then packraft a few miles across Fontana Lake to a remote, permit-designated island campsite where we spend the night.
The water was absolutely gorgeous, and we were able to swim in the bathtub-temperature water, get in some fishing, and all around just enjoy the gorgeous surroundings.
The next day we packraft back out to the car, and head back to Pigeon Forge. On the way we decide to make a run at the famed “Tail of the Dragon”. This is the curviest, and one of the deadliest, roads in America. We’ve added a bonus video in this series dedicated just to this adventure. Be sure to check out Chapter VI+ for that bonus footage.
As always, enjoy and we hope it inspires some of you to walk on some of the same paths. -
Sincerely, noBear (Buldo, Evan, Drew, Austin, Connor, Steve, & Will)

[@cameliaterrellservantofJesus]

Gorgeous scenery! Really enjoyed this video!

[@noBearAdventures]

Thank you so much!! Wait until you see the videos of our upcoming trip 👀
It’ll likely be the most beautiful backcountry location we’ve ever been to. May in Havasupai Falls, Arizona and Zion National Park, Utah

[@cameliaterrellservantofJesus]

@@noBearAdventures definitely looking forward to it

[@shredhiker6209]

Killer video. That’s only a few hours from home, I can’t believe I’ve never camped anywhere on Fontana.

[@noBearAdventures]

I know you’re like me, and your heart lies out west, but Fontana was a nice surprise man. You’d like it. What trips you got lined up?

[@shredhiker6209]

@@noBearAdventures I'll be headed back to Yellowstone, doing a 50 mile section of the JMT, another Colorado trip, and hoping to make it to Glacier or the Uintas.
I actually hiked in GSMNP some back in December, started near Cades Cove & went up onto the AT. I just didn't get video on that trip

[@noBearAdventures]

@@shredhiker6209 let’s GO!! Nice itinerary. I know you spend a lot of time in Yellowstone, but have you spent a lot of time in Glacier? That’s where my heart is. I feel like I know that place like the back of my hand.
Also, we’re heading to Havasupai Falls in a little over a month. Then to Zion, and maybe Bryce for a bit.