7/12/25 GSMNP Deep Creek Adaptive Mountain Biking - Volunteer Registration

Volunteer registration to support aMTB riders during the Great Smoky Mountains National Park Adaptive Program Day at Deep Creek Trail.

Volunteers must bring their own mountain bike to ride.  Support Rider Volunteers should be consistent/confident mountain bikers.

New volunteers must complete the online training. Please email kirby@catalystsports.org with any questions about volunteer training. 

Join Us for an Adaptive Mountain Bike Interpretive Ride in Great Smoky Mountains National Park!

Discover the rich natural and cultural history of Great Smoky Mountains National Park while enjoying a scenic ride on an adaptive mountain bike. Led by a knowledgeable Ranger, these interpretive rides are designed to be short in distance with multiple stops along the way. At each stop, you will learn fascinating facts about the park's unique features and heritage. 

Please see the details below for information on the ride's distance, elevation, and profile. 

We look forward to having you join us for an educational and enjoyable adventure!

Trailhead Location:

Deep Creek Picnic Area

2431 W Deep Creek Rd

Bryson City, NC

Yellow Circle = Staging Area

Blue Rectangle = Reserved Accessible Parking

Volunteer Parking = Other available trailhead parking

Ride Route Description

Ride Distance: +/- 7 miles total (Dependent on group progress & speed)

Elevation Gain:  532ft

Trail Surface:  Gravel Road, Gravel Trail, Large/Loose Rocks

Ride Description:  Start at the Deep Creek Trailhead with accessible parking & bathrooms.  Catalyst Sports will be onsite to fit you to an adaptive bike & provide instruction on how to safely operate the adaptive bike.  We will then depart as a group & ride along Deep Creek Trail & Indian Creek Trail.  The ride from the parking lot will be a +/- 3 mile climb past waterfalls, lush forests, & running creeks.  The group will stop in several spots along the way to learn about the area from a GSMNP Ranger.  At the furthest point, the group will turn around & descend back to the parking lot.
SEE RIDE PROFILE HERE

Schedule:

8:15 am: Volunteers Arrive onsite

8:45 am:  Riders borrowing Catalyst bikes for the 9:30am depature should be ready to be fit to your adaptive bike at 8:45am.  This will allow time for us to fit riders & give basic instructions on operation

9:30-11:30  AM Ride:  The ride will depart promptly at 9:30am.  

11:30 - 12:15:  "Bring Your Own" Lunch

12:15:  Riders borrowing Catalyst bikes for the 1pm depature should be ready to be fit to your adaptive bike at 12:15.  This will allow time for us to fit riders & give basic instructions on operation

1:00 - 3:00:  PM Ride: The ride will depart promptly at 1:00pm

Note:  This ride is weather dependent.  If cancellation occurs due to weather, we will delay ride to Sunday 7/13/25.

Volunteer Camping & Parking:

Deep Creek Campground

1912 East Deep Creek Road

Bryson City, NC 28713

Sites: 5, 6, 7

Check In:  Friday 1pm (When you arrive, tell the campground office that you are a volunteer for the Adaptive Ride.  Ranger Katie Corrigan reserved campsites for our group)

Check out:  Sunday Noon

-  GSMNP will provide several TENT ONLY CAMPING campsites at Deep Creek Campground on Friday & Saturday for volunteers assisting with the adaptive bike programming.  Campsites have road site parking, with a short ~50 yard "walk in".  There is a bathroom with running water a potable water onsite.  NO SHOWERS.  Campsites are along Deep Creek for nice cool swims!

-  Campsites will be shared by volunteers.  Please indicate below if you would like to camp.  a Catalyst Representative will reach out with more details as we get closer to the weekend

-  Participants need to plan your own meals for the weekend.  Catalyst will provide water & gatorade throughout the weekend

Parking:  GSMNP will provide free parking passes for all volunteers who are participating in this programming.  Range Katie will email printable PDF Parking Tags.  Parking tags are only needed if you are parking OUTSIDE of the campground.  If you are camping, we recommend that you leave your car at campground and ride your bike over for the morning ride (<3 minute bike ride).

Please email Kirby@Catalystsports.org with further questions

~Kirby

386-366-1694