Booking Terms & Conditions

Updated 2.12.2021

Thanks for looking to Nantahala Outdoor Center for your next adventure, course, or lodging accommodations! Please use the quick scroll menu on the right hand side of the page to find what you need quickly.

Just a note: Our activities go rain or shine. If YOU cancel or decrease the number of participants in your party the following cancellation policies apply. These firm policies ensure all of our guests are treated equally and fairly.

If you have questions or concerns regarding your upcoming trip with Nantahala Outdoor Center, please consult the information provided below. Changes, modifications and cancellations to upcoming trips, courses or lodging can by made by calling our reservations team at 828.785.5082.

Physical Requirements & Medical Conditions

By purchasing an activity, trip, or course with Nantahala Outdoor Center you are acknowledging you are aware and meet minimum activity age, weight, and physical requirements. Requirements vary depending on location, trip, and activity. Please consult individual booking pages for requirements and recommendations. Unless otherwise specified, all minors (17 and under) require the presence of an adult during whitewater rafting, tubing, and Mountaintop Zip Line activities.

Nantahala Outdoor Center activities take place in remote locations and we ask that you inform the NOC trip leader of any pre-existing medical conditions such as severe allergic reactions, heart conditions or physical injuries that you may have. If you have a medical condition that requires medication such as an allergic reaction to food/bees, asthma, diabetes or a heart condition, you are strongly advised to consult with your physician regarding your participation in this course and, if appropriate, carry any medication prescribed for your condition during this course. Additionally, please inform your trip leader of the medication you intend to carry and whether a family member or friend who is familiar with administering your medication will be participating in the course. On guided activities, your trip leader will be able to keep the medication safe and dry for you.

Standard Activity Cancellation Policy

0-3 Days Before Reservation:
Guest will be responsible for the full amount of reservation.

4-13 Days Before Reservation:
Cardholder will receive a 50% reservation-booking voucher, to be used within one year of the canceled date on an activity reservation.

14-29 Days Before Reservation:
Guest will receive a reservation-booking voucher for the full reservation amount, less a 5% cancellation fee. Voucher to be used within one year of the canceled date on an activity reservation.

30+ Days Before Reservation:
Guest will receive a full refund, less a 5% cancellation fee.

Group Activity Cancellation Policy

Groups booked through NOC’s Custom Group Sales Department may decrease their group size by up to 10% of their original group size without penalty up to 4 days prior to their activity date. Reservations canceled in their entirety will forfeit their 30% nonrefundable deposit in addition to any penalties below.

0-3 Days Before Reservation:
Cancellations of any size will not receive a refund or booking voucher.

4-13 Days Before Reservation:
Cancellations above 10% of the group total will not receive a refund or booking voucher.

14-29 Days Before Reservation:
Cancellations above 10% of the group total will receive a booking voucher, less a 10% cancellation fee.

30+ Days Before Reservation:
Cancellations above 10% of the group total will receive a refund, less a 10% cancellation fee.

NOC Lodging Cancellation Policy

0-3 Days Before Arrival:
Guest will be responsible for the full amount of reservation.

4-13 Days Before Arrival:
Guest will receive a 50% reservation-booking voucher, to be used within one year of the canceled date on a lodging reservation.

14-29 Days Before Arrival:
Cardholder will receive a reservation-booking voucher for the full reservation amount, less a 5% cancellation fee. Voucher to be used within one year of the canceled date on a lodging reservation.

30+ Days Before Arrival:
Guest will receive a full refund, less a 5% cancellation fee.

SOLO Southeast/Paddling School Course Cancellation Policy

SOLO Southeast Emergency Medical Technician & Wilderness EMT

Cancellation Policy:

All EMT and WEMT courses have a non-refundable deposit of $400 due at the time of booking. Payment in full is due 60 days prior to course start date. 

0-21 Days Before Reservation:
Guest will be responsible for the full amount of reservation.

22-44 Days Before Reservation:
Guest will receive a reservation booking voucher for the full reservation amount, less the $400 non-refundable deposit.

45-59 Days Before Reservation:
Guest will receive a 75% refund, less the $400 non-refundable deposit.

60+ Days Before Reservation:
Guest will receive a full refund, less the $400 non-refundable deposit.

Students are allowed a one-time transfer into a later course with no penalty if done 21 days or more prior to the course start date. Reservation booking voucher to be used within one year from the date cancelled.

All Other General Paddling School and SOLO Southeast

Courses Cancellation Policy:

0-13 Days Before Reservation:
Guest will be responsible for the full amount of reservation.

14-29 Days Before Reservation:
Guest will receive a reservation-booking voucher for the full reservation amount, less a 5% cancellation fee. Voucher to be used within one year of the canceled date on a SOLO Southeast Course.

30+ Days Before Reservation:
Guest will receive a full refund, less a 5% cancellation fee.

FAQs & Additional Booking Terms

Lodging Deposit/Damage Policy

By making a Lodging Reservation with Nantahala Outdoor Center you accept and agree to the Lodging Policies outlined by Nantahala Outdoor Center and fully accept financial responsibility for any and all charges. By making a Lodging Reservation with Nantahala Outdoor Center you agree to indemnify, hold harmless, and defend the Nantahala Outdoor Center, its owners, agents, and employees from any and all liability, damage, fines, claims, losses, or cost of any type including reasonable attorney’s fees, arising out of or relating to any claim for personal injury or property damage caused by the Guest, their pet(s) or Service Animal(s), and agree to make reimbursement for such damages on demand. By making a Lodging Reservation with Nantahala Outdoor Center you further agree to release, waive, forever discharge, and covenant not to sue Nantahala Outdoor Center related in any way to this agreement.

Damage & Removal Of Property
Pet & Service Animal Policy

• Nantahala Outdoor Center reserves the right to charge guests the cost of rectifying damage, caused by the deliberate, negligent or reckless act of the guest to the cabin’s property or structure.
• We reserve the right to charge guests the cost of replacing any items that are removed from the premises by them without consent. The charge will be the full replacement amount of the missing item, including any carriage charges.
• Nantahala Outdoor Center reserves the right to take action against any guest found to have tampered /interfered with any fire detection equipment throughout the cabin, including detector heads in public areas and bedrooms, break glass points and fire extinguishers. Guests found to have tampered with any fire detection or firefighting equipment will be charged with any costs incurred by the Nantahala Outdoor Center due to their actions and additionally may be asked to leave the property.
• Should damage or loss of Nantahala Outdoor Center property or fire detection equipment come to light after the guest has departed, we reserve the right to make a charge to the guest’s credit/debit card or send an invoice for the amount to the registered email address.
• The Nantahala Outdoor Center is completely a non-smoking facility. Any charges resulting from deodorizing the property or other smoke-related maintenance shall be the financial responsibility of the occupant of said room; this includes but is not limited to false alarms with Swain County Fire and Rescue.
• Pets are only permitted in identified pet-friendly rooms in basecamp. With the exception of ADA compliant Service Animals, our lodging accommodations are strictly pet-free.
• Guests are responsible for their pets’ and / or Service Animal’s behavior and Nantahala Outdoor Center reserves the right to charge the Guest’s credit card for damages and/or cleaning fees associated with authorized or unauthorized pet’s and/or Service Animal’s in Nantahala Outdoor Center facilities.
• ADA compliant Service Animals must be declared upon check-in. Nantahala Outdoor Center adheres to the ADA definition of Service Animal.
• Nantahala Outdoor Center reserves the right, when it is not obvious what service a Service Animal provides, to ask clarifying questions to determine the eligibility of identified Service Animals in accordance with 28 CFR 36.302(c)(6). We reserve the right to require room changes, removal of animal(s) from the premises or to refuse or discontinue service without refund if, at the Nantahala Outdoor Center’s sole discretion, the Service Animal is considered dangerous, unhealthy, likely to frighten, harm, or disrupt guests, has damaged hotel property, or for failure to abide by Nantahala Outdoor Center policies.

International Adventure Trip Policy

International Travel Payment Policy 

For all international trips, a $1,000 non-refundable deposit is due at time of booking for trips made more than 90 days prior to departure date, with the remaining balance due 90 due days prior to the departure date.  For trips made within 90 days of the departure date, full payment is required at time of booking. 

International Travel Cancellation Policy 

0-89 Days Before Reservation 

Guest will be responsible for full amount of the reservation 

90 + Days Before Reservation 

Guest will receive a refund, less the $1,000 non-refundable deposit 

Nantahala Outdoor Center reserves the right to cancel any trip prior to departure for any reason, including but not limited to:  insufficient bookings, threats to safety including political instability, natural disasters, terrorism or logistical issues that would prevent trip operations. 

If a trip is cancelled due to insufficient bookings, you may choose from an alternate trip or a full refund.  If choosing an alternate trip of greater value, you are responsible for paying the difference in price.  If the alternate trip chosen is of lesser value, the difference will be refunded. 

If a trip is cancelled due to circumstances beyond our control, including but not limited to: natural disasters, pandemics, labor strikes, or political instability, no refund will be issued. 

We strongly encourage guests to purchase Trip Insurance through Global Rescue or another company. 

Medical and Risk Acknowledgement/ Liability Release Forms 

All guests are required to complete medical and waiver/liability release forms. Medical forms must be received at least 60 days prior to departure date.  Please read and understand the liability release forms upon booking.  All guests are required to sign the liability release form upon arrival in person and before activities start.  

U.S. Forest Service Permit Holder

Nantahala Outdoor Center proudly guides outdoor trips on both private and public lands, and we strive to use recreational resources responsibly. As a USFS permit holder, we are obliged (and pleased) to comply with federal anti-discrimination policies:

In accordance with federal law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) policy, this institution is prohibited from discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex (in education and training programs and activities), age, disability, or retaliation. Guests requiring this information in an alternative format (braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) may contact the USDA’s TARGET Center at 202.720.2600. Guests requiring information about this program, activity, or facility in a language other than English, may contact the USDA agency responsible for the program or activity, or any USDA office. To file a complaint of discrimination, write to USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, S.W., Washington, DC 20250-9410, or call 866.632.9992. TDD users can contact the USDA through local relay or the federal relay at (800) 877-8339 (TDD) or (866) 377-8642 (relay voice users). The USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.