If you’ve ever thought, “I wonder if you can backpack in Iowa…” or have been looking to get into backpacking and want a non-intimidating introduction, then you’re in the right place! On this trip, you’ll spend the weekend backpacking at Hitchcock Nature Area in western Iowa.

On this trip, Sprout/Adult pairs will spend one night camping under the stars together at Whiterock Conservancy, about an hour outside of Des Moines. Whiterock is one of our favorite parks in the state, and is a great place for kiddos, with miles of trails and lots to explore! This two-day, one night adventure is the perfect beginner camping night for Sprouts! 

The Ice Age Trail is one of only 11 National Scenic Trails in the United States and the only one that traces the edge of a single geologic event — the last continental glacier. Step into a landscape literally shaped by time as we backpack the South Kettle Moraine Section of Wisconsin’s Ice Age National Scenic Trail.

This trip is a spring adventure focused on waterfall chasing, scenic hiking, and restorative moments that celebrate the powerful beauty of the North Shore. Over the course of the weekend, we’ll hike an expertly curated selection of trails that highlight the region at its spring peak—rushing rivers, woody gorges and spectacular waterfalls.

If you’ve ever thought, “I wonder if you can backpack in Iowa…” or have been looking to get into backpacking and want a non-intimidating introduction, then you’re in the right place! On this trip, you’ll spend the weekend backpacking at Yellow River State Forest in the heart of northeast Iowa.

Our Sprouts trips are designed for our young Wanderers and their adults to enjoy a trip outdoors together! On this trip, Sprout/Adult pairs will paddle the Maquoketa River and spend two nights camping under the stars together at Pinicon Ridge, one of our favorite campgrounds in the state.

The Apostle Islands provide some of the most spectacular scenery in the Midwest — and we’re off to see them. From famous ice caves to iconic paddle trips, the Apostle Islands provide heart-racing adventure for those who venture out. On this trip, you’ll get the experience of a lifetime as we explore the islands by kayak — and the mainland by foot.

See the Mighty Mississippi from both land and water! Spend a weekend at one of Wisconsin’s most beautiful parks—set at the confluence of the Wisconsin and Mississippi Rivers in the Driftless area of the Midwest, Wyalusing State Park provides it all.

Come with us for the ultimate outdoor lover’s adventure in beautiful northern Michigan along the shores of Lake Michigan. On this trip, you’ll experience every wild experience nature has to offer, from hiking hundred foot dunes to riding the Great Lake waves! There’s a reason folks in the know have been flocking to northern Michigan in the summer for generations, and we can’t wait to show you everything the region has to offer, from outstanding water activities to local fruit stands that will blow your socks off!

Our Sprouts trips are designed for our young Wanderers and their adults to enjoy a trip outdoors together! On this trip, Sprout/Adult pairs will explore the cool caves of Maquoketa State Park and spend two nights camping under the stars together at Eden Valley Refuge, just 10 minutes from the caves.

Get down and dirty inside the earth! There’s a reason this is one of our most popular trips every year! On this trip, you’ll explore two different cave systems in eastern Iowa — Maquoketa Caves State Park and a private cave close by in Clinton County! Get to know the amazing cave landscapes and formations through some of the richest Karst landscape in the state!

If you’ve been looking for a quick weekend getaway to relax and unwind, this is the trip for you! Join us for a beautiful weekend in southeast Minnesota, where the Root River carves through limestone and gives us one of the most tranquil paddles this side of the Mississippi.

This long weekend adventure invites you into one of Missouri’s most surprising and dynamic landscapes: the St. Francois Mountains, home to some of the oldest rock formations in North America and a trio of state parks that feel worlds away from the everyday Midwest.

Our Sprouts trips are designed for our young Wanderers and their adults to enjoy a trip outdoors together! On this trip, Sprout/Adult pairs will explore the cool caves of Maquoketa State Park and spend two nights camping under the stars together at Eden Valley Refuge, just 10 minutes from the caves.

On this trip, Sprout/Adult pairs will spend one night camping under the stars together at Jester Park just outside of Des Moines. Jester Park is a great place for kiddos, with miles of trails and Saylorville Lake shoreline to explore! This two-day, one night adventure is the perfect beginner camping night for Sprouts! 

On this trip, Sprout/Adult pairs will spend one night camping under the stars together at Jester Park just outside of Des Moines. Jester Park is a great place for kiddos, with miles of trails and Saylorville Lake shoreline to explore! This two-day, one night adventure is the perfect beginner camping night for Sprouts! 

Come with us as we backpack through the Pictured Rocks, the famous coastline of Lake Superior on Michigan’s Upper Peninsula and one of only three national lakeshores in the country (and the nation’s first!). Known for its fantastic views of Lake Superior and beautiful “painted” sandstone cliffs, Painted Rocks is a haven for nature lovers.

Western South Dakota is home to some of the most rugged, beautiful Midwest landscapes, and this trip gives you a bite of all of them! Embark into the wildness of South Dakota with us as we visit TWO National Park sites in one week!

If you’ve ever thought, “I wonder if you can backpack in Iowa…” or have been looking to get into backpacking and want a non-intimidating introduction, then you’re in the right place! On this trip, you’ll spend the weekend backpacking at Yellow River State Forest in the heart of northeast Iowa.

Join us up north in the wilds of Minnesota as we leaf peep our way through the woods. This trip is full of beautiful hikes and some exceptional views, and is a great way to see classic fall color before Minnesota hibernation sets in.

If you’ve ever thought, “I wonder if you can backpack in Iowa…” or have been looking to get into backpacking and want a non-intimidating introduction, then you’re in the right place! On this trip, you’ll spend the weekend backpacking at Hitchcock Nature Area in western Iowa.

Coming Soon: Join us for the biggest event we’ve ever thrown, a community campout we’re calling Camp Wander!