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When it comes to immersing yourself in thegreat outdoors, nothing beats camping in the wilderness beneath asky full of sparkling stars.
Have all the fun of an adventurous outdoor experience without any of the organizational hassle by embarking on ahiking & backpacking tourthrough some of theUSA’s most captivating landscapes– the Intrepid way. Take in the sights of national treasures likeZion National Park, Joshua Tree National Park, and Olympic National Park during the day, and at night, help your guide set up camp, swap stories with your fellow travelers, and let the sounds of Mother Nature slowly sing you to sleep.Simply put, unforgettable doesn’t even begin to describe it.
Backpacking vs base camp vs hut-to-hut
Backpacking
Our backpacking trips are all about switching off and getting back to basics. Say goodbye to running water, and hello to cathole toilets! Carrying a backpack loaded with camping gear, personal items and group supplies, you’ll hike through untamed backcountry and set up a new camp each day with your group. Two words: pack light.
Base camp
Our base camp trips are perfect if you don’t want to lug a backpack around, or if you'd prefer to camp with a few extra creature comforts. After enjoying daily hikes on front country trails, you’ll return to the same campsite each day equipped with proper toilets, showers, bigger tents and a camp kitchen.
Hut-to-hut
If you’re an adventurous type who also likes sleeping on a real mattress (we don't blame you), our hut-to-hut trips could be for you. You’ll still need to carry your backpack as you hike through the backcountry, but you’ll stay in huts each night that range from basic bunkhouses to comfortable motels depending on the trip.
Our backpacking tours
4 Days From 1605
See the best of Yellowstone on an Intrepid small group hiking and camping adventure...
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5 Days From 2045
Avoid the crowds and see the best of Southern Yellowstone National Park’s backcountry...
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3 Days From 1070
Discover great trails, incredible views, spectacular summits and more on a small group...
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Our base camp tours
3 Days From 1560
Experience Utah’s most famous national park as a standalone canyon country experience...
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4 Days From 1775
Experience Joshua Tree’s surreal landscapes, cool oases, and famous Joshua Trees on a 4...
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5 Days From 2230
See the best of this iconic national park on five spectacularly diverse, hand-picked...
6 Days From 2360
Experience Utah’s most famous national park destinations and see the best of Zion,...
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Our hut-to-hut tours
4 Days From 1895
Spend an incredible 4 days hiking the highest mountains in New Hampshire, the...
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Highlights of our hiking & backpacking tours
Take in the sights of Yellowstone National Park
Leave the busy roads and noisy sounds of everyday life behind as you embark on an adventure through one of the USA’s most beloved parks. Brimming with epic natural features, Yellowstone National Park boasts landscapes that need to be seen to be believed and luckily for you, you’ll get to see them all on hikes during the day before resting your body and camping out under the stars every night.
Marvel at the natural wonders in Yosemite
If you’re searching for remarkable sights that’ll give your camera its hardest workout yet, then search no longer – Yosemite National Park’s North Rim offers all that and so much more. Perfect for both outdoor enthusiasts and hardcore hikers, this trail boasts giant waterfalls, majestic peaks, and flower-filled meadows you’re bound to ooh and ahh over. And at night, set up camp, enjoy a hearty meal, and fall asleep under the night sky’s twinkling stars.
Explore Utah's wild west
Picture this: you wake up to the peaceful sounds of Mother Nature and have your morning coffee surrounded by spring-fed creeks, huge canyons and colourful cliffs. Spend six days hiking in Utah’s most iconic national parks and watchthese otherworldly landscapes come alive. Trek through Bryce Canyon’s awe-inspiring “hoodoos” and natural amphitheatres, wade through the rushing waters of Zion’s slot canyons, and explore the labyrinth of potholes, arches, and grottos in the dreamy Escalante.
Hike the Appalachian Trail
Explore one of the most beautiful sections of the Appalachian Trail on a three-day backcountry adventure through the Blue Ridge Mountains. You’ll journey deep into the wilderness of the Cradle of Forestry, wind through postcard-perfect grassy meadows and witness the majestic cascades of Looking Glass Falls – maybe jumping in for aswim to cool down. The best part? You’ll camp on the summit of the spectacular Shining Rock and enjoy lunch on hugeledges overlooking the rolling plains of Ivestor Gap.
Popular US National Parks
OurUS National Park Toursoffer something for all kinds of adventurers, explore our range below.
Our hiking & backpacking tour reviews
Essential info & FAQs
What's the range of backpacking and hiking trips available?
We offer a wide range of all-inclusive backpacking and hiking tours in some of the USA's best national parks and scenic trails. Apart from getting yourself to the meeting point and bringing your personal items, everything is organised and provided for you including an expert hiking guide, permits and fees,meals, and most camping and hiking gear. Ourtrips range from base camp tours that includeeasy to moderate day hikes on front country trailsto multi-day backpacking or hut-to-hutadventuresin high mountains and backcountry routes.
What do I have to carry when we hike?
On our backpacking and hut-to-hut toursyou'll need to carry a backpack that weighs between 25-45lbs(11-20 kg) depending on the itinerary and season.It'll be loaded will be with your personal items (clothing, camera, toiletries, water bladder,etc), camping gear (tent, sleeping bag, sleeping pad, etc), and a portion of the group's food supplies or camping gear. Base camp tours are a bit different – we'll return to the same campsite each day so you can leave your main bag at camp. You'll still need a small daypack to carryyour water bottle,snacks, camera andany other essentialitems while we're out hiking.
Should I bring/pack anything special?
We'll provide you with camping gear including a daypack, trekking poles, tent, sleeping bag, sleeping pad and pillow. Essentials you'll need to bring from home include a three-litre water bladderor bottle, hiking clothes andboots, headlamp, toiletries and medication, cameraand any other personal items you might need. Just remember, it's no fun lugging a really heavy bag around so try to pack as light as possible.
How fit do I need to be to join?
While our range of backpacking and hiking trips differ in difficulty, it is recommended that you have a reasonable level of fitness so that the tour'senjoyable and you can get the most out of your holiday. To do this, try participating in some form of physical activity (such as long walks, running, cycling, etc) at least six weeks out from your trip. It's also a good idea to do some shorter test hikes with a backpack or something similar so you can become comfortable carrying your gear when the trip comes.
To help you choose the trip with the right level of difficulty, our team will forward an assessment form to you at the time of booking, and we will be open to discussing your choice and making suggestions if needbe. You won't be confirmed for the trip until your form has been received and reviewed.
What sort of safety precautions are taken?
We value the safety of our customers, staffand fellow travellers very highly so you can rest assured that you'll be safe throughout the duration of your trip. Our leaders are well-trained and experienced (as well as insured) and don't cut corners when it comes to the wellbeing and safety of others. This means we only take well-researchedtrails and listen to all safety warnings when it comes to changing weather conditions.
Do I need special insurance for backpacking trips?
The short answer is no and yes -you won't need any extra insurance to cover any additional or technical activities that come with a backpacking and hiking tripbut you will need to have an insurance policy that covers activities such as hiking and trekking. To make sure you're appropriately covered, we recommend presenting your insurer with the trip's itinerary.
Are backpacking and hiking trips accessible?
Intrepid is committed to making travel widelyaccessible, regardless of ability or disability. That’s why we do our best to help as many people see the world as possible, regardless of any physical or mental limitations they might have. We’re always happy to talk to travellers with disabilities and see if we can help guide them towards the most suitable itinerary for their needs and where possible, make reasonable adjustments to our itineraries.
Do I need a COVID-19 vaccine to join a backpacking and hiking trip?
Travellers on this particular trip are not required to produce proof of full vaccination against COVID-19. However, any guest who has been in close contact with someone known to have COVID-19, or who develops flu-like symptoms (cough, fever, shortness of breath/difficulty breathing, muscle pain, headache, sore throat, body aches/chills, recent loss of taste or smell), or who tests positive for COVID-19 within 14 days of their scheduled trip will not be allowed to join the trip without a negative COVID-19 test result.
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