Looking to get outside, hone in current skills, or try something new? Our trips program is for you!
Registration for Fall trips opens Wednesday, August 13, 2025.
Adventure Trip Calendar
All of our trips will have an indicated Challenge Type and Fitness level in their descriptions. While no two trips are identical, and all trips are beginner friendly, these are meant to help give you a better understanding of what the trip might entail.
Challenge Level
- Ped Walkway
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- Front country experience
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- No need to bring more than a water bottle and sunscreen with you.
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- Cell Service
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- Examples: Afternoon paddleboarding on the Tennessee River.
- The Torchbearer
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- Front country and/or short periods of backcountry
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- No need to carry more than personal gear with you during trip
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- Cell service spotty
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- Examples: Mt. Leconte Day Hike, Beginner Whitewater Kayaking
- Smokey’s Choice
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- Most time is spent in the backcountry
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- Self Sufficient travel. We’ll pack all needed gear in and out.
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- Cell service unlikely
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- Examples: Overnight backpacking
Fitness Level
- Light: Light walking, hiking, or paddling suitable for most fitness levels. Nothing too challenging. Prior experience is not necessary.
- Moderate: Active during the duration of the trip, nothing too strenuous. Prior experience is not necessary.
- Strenuous: Some more strenuous activities, but accessible to most healthy participants.
- Challenging: Instances of heavy exertion, prior experience with activity highly recommended.
Registration for all trips opens on August 13
Register online for a trip (or register in-person in the Outdoor Center.)
Weekly Clinics
- Kayak Pool Sessions
- Every Wednesday in the Student Aquatic center from 5-7pm during the Fall and Spring semester. Come learn the basics of whitewater kayaking with in an open, relaxed environment. Free. Beginner and experienced boaters welcome.
- Toprope Belay Clinics
- Lead Climbing and Belay Clinics
Micro Adventures
Free, low commitment trips offered in the heart of Knoxville’s Urban Wilderness. All micro adventures are between 2-4 hours long, and include gear, transportation and trip staff to guide your experience.
Registration opens 2 weeks before trip, and closes the day prior at 5pm.
Break Trips
Fall Break 2025
Grayson Highlands Backpacking
Breaks Interstate Park Rock Climbing
Important Trip Information
- On most trips, you don’t need any experience. Really. If a trip requires experience, we’ll indicate what experience you should have.
- Trip costs include transportation, food (if overnight), equipment, camping, trip leaders and other miscellaneous fees.
- Trips are open to all current UT students (graduate and undergraduate) as well as faculty and staff with an active RecSports membership. No guests are allowed on trips.
- Needed outdoor gear and equipment is provided for each trip at no additional cost.
- Cancellations – We reserve the right to cancel a program due to inclement weather, natural disasters, or extenuating circumstances. In the event we must cancel a program, a full trip refund will be provided.
- Should you choose to cancel, your registration fees will be refunded if we are notified of the cancellation 14 days before the registration deadline. Email utop@utk.edu to initiate this process.
- “No-Showing” for a trip or clinic (registering, and not notifying the program of your inability to addend) more than once may result in a loss of privileges to join on any future trips for one year.