Embark into the ruggedness of South Dakota with us as we visit TWO National Parks in one week! We’ll homebase in Custer State Park, where we’ll hike and explore South Dakota’s park system’s crowning jewel before traveling to Wind Cave National Park, home of one of the world’s longest cave systems. Park rangers will guide us through a tour of the cave system’s most awe-inspiring formations and features (the tour is upright and lit, no spleunking involved). We’ll stop at the Mammoth Research Site to see a live mammoth colony excavation before going to Badlands National Park for two days & nights where towering spires and dramatic canyons paint a mesmerizing prairie landscape. 

You don’t have to venture far to visit a National Park site! Spend the weekend with us in one of Iowa’s most scenic regions, the Driftless. On this trip, we’ll do a deep dive tour of Effigy Mounds National Monument, a stunning park (especially in the fall) on the bluffs of the Mississippi River. Home to the largest concentration of Native American animal mounds in the country, Effigy Mounds is full of natural and cultural history, reverence for Iowa’s indigenous peoples past and present, and the beautiful flora and fauna that dot the northeast Iowa landscape. We’ll stay in a cabin minutes away from Yellow River State Forest and enjoy a weekend of hiking, history and fall beauty! 

On this trip, we’ll traverse 45+ miles across the entire island, north to south, from Rock Harbor Visitor’s Center on the Michigan side to Windigo on the Minnesota side. This trek will follow part of the Minong Ridge, the hardest hiking on the island, but with the absolute best views of Lake Superior. This trip includes a long ferry ride to the northern side of the island from Minnesota, giving you an almost complete view of the entire island from the water.

If you’ve never seen the dunes of Lake Michigan, you’re missing one of the Midwest’s most stunning natural wonders. On this trip, immerse yourself in this Great Lakes haven at Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore on the eastern shores of Lake Michigan. We’ll spend three days hiking and paddling along 100-ft dunes, huge sand cliffs and through northwoods forest, explore Michigan’s lower peninsula full of local farms, historic fish towns and artisan shops, learn about the famed nautical history of the region and relax on the surprisingly warm beaches of Lake Michigan. 

Trek to one of the most remote National Parks in the country on this 8-day backpacking adventure to Isle Royale National Park, an island situated in Lake Superior. Known for its ruggedness and tricky logistics, Isle Royale is beloved by backpackers for its amazing views, fantastic wildlife, hard hikes and wild weather. On this trip, we’ll backpack 41+ miles over 5 days along the Feldtmann Loop and ending in Malone Bay. After the hike, we’ll catch a ferry back to the mainland and enjoy a luxurious celebration dinner in Grand Marais and a peaceful hotel stay, perfect for basking in your accomplishment and bad-assery.