​Girls Gone Hiking Summer Backpacking Series

​Intro to Backpacking: An All-Women Weekend Trip!

​This summer, we're working with OurSpot to bring you a series of all-inclusive, beginner-friendly backpacking weekends in Harriman State Park.

​If you've been wanting to try backpacking but felt intimidated by the gear, planning, or logistics, this is your chance. You'll spend the weekend learning new outdoor skills, meeting an incredible community of women, and escaping the city for a night under the stars.

​🌲 What to Expect

​Over the course of one weekend, you'll:

• ​Learn the fundamentals of backpacking

• ​Carry a properly fitted backpack

• ​Set up camp alongside experienced guides

• ​Cook and eat meals together

• ​Sleep under the stars in Harriman State Park

• ​Build confidence to plan your own future adventures

​✨ Your Ticket Includes

• ​Round-trip carpool transportation from Jersey City/NYC

• ​Backpacking and camping gear rental through OurSpot

• ​Saturday lunch & dinner, Sunday brunch

• ​Two experienced backpacking guides

• ​Pre-trip backpacking guide and virtual Q&A

• ​A fully planned overnight itinerary

​Just pack your clothes and personal essentials—we'll take care of the rest.

​🌲 Is This Trip Right for You?

​This trip is designed for beginner backpackers, but it does require a willingness to be active and embrace the realities of camping.

​Participants should be:

• ​Comfortable carrying a backpack weighing up to 35 lbs for approximately 1 mile on uneven trails.

• ​Comfortable camping without running water, showers, electricity, or bathrooms. (We'll use Leave No Trace bathroom practices, and your guides will teach you everything you need to know.)

​No prior backpacking experience is required, but a positive attitude, a sense of adventure, and a willingness to step outside your comfort zone will help you get the most out of the weekend.

​💚 Why We Created This Series

​At Girls Gone Hiking, we believe the outdoors should feel welcoming and accessible to every woman.

​Backpacking and camping often feel out of reach because the gear is expensive (all of OurSpot's gear for this trip would've cost $1000+ to purchase!) and finding people to go with can be hard.

​This series removes those barriers so you can experience backpacking in a supportive, women-only environment. Come learn, ask questions, make friends, and discover how empowering it feels to carry everything you need into the wilderness.

​📅 Summer 2026 Dates

• ​July 25–26

• ​August 8–9

• ​August 15–16

• ​August 22–23

​Each weekend is the same beginner-friendly experience, so simply choose the date that works best for you.

​🎟️ $225 per person

​Your ticket directly supports professional women outdoor guides who are building careers in an industry that has historically been male-dominated. We believe outdoor leadership should reflect the diversity of the people enjoying our parks and trails, and we're excited to work with guides who are helping make that happen.

​We're also proud to rent our backpacking gear and trip logistics through OurSpot, a small business on a mission to make camping and backpacking more accessible for people living in and around NYC. Rather than purchasing and storing our own gear, we're partnering with a company whose entire mission is lowering the barriers to getting outside.

​Space is intentionally limited to 6 participants per trip to create a personalized, supportive learning environment.

​Join us this summer for your first (or maybe 2nd/3rd/4th!) backpacking adventure—and discover just how fun, empowering, and accessible backpacking can be with an amazing community of women.

​FAQ

​Cancellation & Refund Policy

​Due to the small group size and the upfront costs of transportation, guide staffing, gear rentals, and food, we have a strict cancellation policy.

• ​7+ days before your trip: Receive a 75% refund.

• ​Less than 7 days before your trip: No refunds.

​If Girls Gone Hiking cancels the trip due to unsafe weather or other unforeseen circumstances, participants will have the option to transfer their registration to another available weekend or receive a full refund.

​Registrations are transferable. If you can no longer attend, you're welcome to transfer your spot to another woman, provided you notify us in advance so we can update participant information and coordinate gear sizing.

​Can I arrange my own transportation instead?

​You're welcome to meet the group at the designated Harriman State Park trailhead if that's more convenient for you. However, the trip price remains $225 regardless of whether you use the provided transportation.

​Our pricing reflects the full all-inclusive experience—including guide staffing, gear rental, meals, trip planning, administration, and transportation—and we aren't able to offer partial discounts for unused components of the trip.

​What do I bring?

​One week before the trip, you'll receive a light packing list (mostly clothes & toiletries), learn how to measure your torso for the right backpack fit, and join a virtual Q&A with OurSpot to ask questions before the weekend.

​Is this trip dog-friendly?

​Not for this trip. For the safety and comfort of both the group and your pet, dogs are not permitted on this backpacking weekend. Since we're using backpacking gear rented through OurSpot and traveling as a small group, the current setup isn't designed to accommodate pets.