Red River Gorge Backpacking Workshop

Over the course of two days, join other women and learn how to backpack in beautiful Red River Gorge, Kentucky. This Red River Gorge Beginner Backpacking Workshop for women is a hands-on, fully immersive experience in the great outdoors. Never slept outside before? No problem!

Yes, your dreams of hiking to a faraway, remote land to spend a few days camping and living in the wild surrounded by mountains can come true! We want you to be able to backpack freely in the wild at your every whim armed with the skills, knowledge, and experience to do so! So welcome to your outdoor classroom: the Red River Gorge Geological Area.

AKA: This is ain’t no free class at your local outfitter. This is REAL backpacking with you doing all the things: packing, hiking with a full pack, cooking, setting up camp, hanging a bear bag, filtering water, asking a million questions, and if you’re real lucky pooping in the woods ?—with a supportive group of women and one of our expert guides. That means when you inevitably mess up, no need to feel embarrassed. When you question if you’re doing something correctly, your guide can help you. Let’s learn together in the outdoors, so when it’s time for your big adventure you’ll already have legit, backcountry experience.

It all goes down in beautiful Eastern Kentucky. With the Red River Gorge hiking trails leading to an abundance of natural bridges, sandstone cliffs, rock shelters, and sandstone arches, we couldn’t think of a more beautiful location to teach you how to backpack in the wilderness.

The best part? We’ll lend you the essential gear to get started! Every Explorer Chick will be provided with a:

• Backpack
• Sleeping bag
• Sleeping pad
• Shared two-person tent
• Shared cooking equipment
• Water filtration

Yep! Give backpacking and camping a try before thousands of dollars into it. Try out our gear to learn what features you like and dislike. Ask your guide about other brands. Seriously, this workshop is all about learning while connecting to other adventurous, rad women!

What to Pack

• Check out our recommended hiking gear for all trips.
• You’ll receive a complete packing list in your Travel Guide upon booking; note that trips may require additional specialized items.

Arrival

• Airport City: Lexington, KY (LEX). Approximately 1 hour drive to the Red.
• Pick Up Location: Trailhead Parking Lot
• Meeting Time: 8am on Day 1

Departure

• Airport City: Lexington, KY (LEX). Approximately 1 hour drive to the Red.
• Depart Location: Self drive to day hike and lunch on Day 2
• Return Time: Plan to depart by 3pm on Day 2

Optional Add-Ons: Limited Single Upgrade Tents are available at booking.

You will receive a Travel Guide with all the trailhead, packing, and additional information you’ll need to prepare for your epic trip.

We require a minimum of 5 Explorer Chicks for this trip. Please confirm your trip is guaranteed before booking airfare.

Rated 3 – ACTIVE

This trip is rated as Active because it is backpacking with approximately 25-30lbs on your back. Backpacking differs greatly from casual day hiking and trail running in local parks. What makes the Red River Gorge absolutely breathtaking also makes it’s trails steep and strenuous at times. It is a gorge after all! You will be hiking some steep sections with a backpack.

We want all Explorer Chicks to enjoy their backpacking experience which is why we find it crucial to set realistic expectations for this workshop.

Expect to carry approximately 25 pounds on your back. You will be responsible for carrying your own pack, assigned gear, and necessities.

When planning the route, we take into consideration the variety of skill and abilities of the women joining us on the adventure while stopping often for instruction and allowing ample time to reach camp. For these reasons the mileage is short, but your day will be full.

Keep in mind we will hike together as a group. The pace of the trip will vary based on the group’s overall abilities. (ie. Some may find the trail/pace too slow while others find it challenging. Always support your Explorer Chick sisters!)

Daily Backpacking:

• Day 1: 3.4 miles. 1,067′ gain.
• Day 1 Optional Hike: 1.83 miles. 266′ gain.
• Day 2: 2 miles. 450′ gain.

Please consider the physical demands carefully as it is for the safety and enjoyment of the group. All Explorer Chicks will be required to sign an Acknowledgement of Physical Demands as part of their waiver upon booking.

Read more about our Activity Levels.

Essential Gear

• Shared 2 person tent
• Backpack
• Sleeping Bag
• Sleeping Pad
• Shared water filter, cookware, stove
• Digital Explorer Chick Backpacking Book

Meals

• All meals as indicated in itinerary: B-1, L-2, D-1
• Gratuities for included meals

Practical 

• Commercial permits and 1-Day Pass fees for Daniel Boone National Forest
• Professional leadership team with 1 Explorer Chick Guide
• A detailed Travel Guide with everything you need to know for your trip
• The freedom to enjoy your vacation and mindlessly wander!

Not Included

• Airfare
• Airport Transportation
• Alcoholic beverages
• Travel Insurance
• Meals exclusive of itineraries
• Costs for additional activities
• Gratuity for your Explorer Chick Guide (read our tipping guidelines here)

Explorer Chick reserves the option to modify trip itineraries at the discretion of your tour director as necessary due to weather, conditions, illness, injury, group dynamics, or other unforeseen incidents.