All Trips > Kentucky > Red River Gorge Backpacking Workshop Red River Gorge Backpacking Workshop Choose Your Dates AT A GLANCE Kentucky 10 Explorer Chicks Backpacking Backpacking, US-Based, Weekend, Workshop 2 Days 3 - Active Physical demand level for this trip Overview Photos Itinerary Logistics Activity Level What's Included Choose Your Dates Share Overview Over the course of two days, join other women and learn how to backpack in beautiful Red River Gorge, Kentucky. This Red River Gorge Backpacking Workshop for women is a hands-on, fully immersive experience in the great outdoors. 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! Photos Itinerary Expand All Days Day 1 - Learn How to Pack, Cook, Set Up Camp, Filter Water and More Rise early Explorer Chick! You are learning how to backpack this weekend. You’ll meet up with your Explorer Chick Guide at the trailhead first thing in the morning. She’ll be the one surrounded with enough gear and food to mobilize a small army. To kick off the workshop, she’ll walk everyone through a Duffle Shuffle where gear is passed out and you pack up together learning how to properly pack your pack. Once everyone is loaded up and packs have been adjusted, you’ll hit the trails in the Red River Gorge. Throughout the day, your Explorer Chick guide will pause for instruction including how to filter water, safety, Leave No Trace, and basic safety. You’re encourage to ask all the questions especially the weird ones. And, yes, we will teach you the trick for squatting in the woods without peeing on your shoes. By early evening you’ll roll into camp happy to heave off your backpack. Your guide will help everyone set up tent before prepping dinner. It’ll be hands on for dinner so you can try your hand at lighting the camp stove. After chowing down, your guide will also share how to properly dispose of food waste and how to clean dishes in the back country. We’ll shimmy out to our favorite spot to catch the sunset or watch the stars. And fire bans permitting, we’ll kick around a campfire. Distance: 3.4 miles Elevation Gain: 1,067’ Optional Evening Hike: 1.83 miles. 266′ gain. Accommodation: Backpacking Tent – Shared 2 per Meals: L-D Day 2 - Camp Coffee and a Day Hike Rise and shine, Explorer Chick! You freaking did it – backcountry camped with nothing but the stuff on your back. But first the most important lesson in all of backpacking – your Explorer Chick Guide will get you good and caffeinated with some hot coffee. Then she’ll recruit some help to pull to together a yummy breakfast. She’ll walk you through how to break camp and you’ll try your hand again at packing up all your gear. It’s a short hike back out to the trailhead where you’ll return the gear to your guide. Then it’s a caravan to a new trailhead for a short bonus day hike. We’ll close out our backpacking workshop with an included hot lunch at one of our favorite local food joints. Distance: 2 miles Elevation Gain: 450′ Meals: B-L Logistics 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. Activity Level 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. What's Included 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 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. More from the Red 🤗TOGETHER! 🤗 All ages, all walks of life, ANY experience level. Our Red River Gorge backpacking workshop is beginner friendly; a supportive environment to learn and be empowered to sleep outside 🏕️ #ExplorerChick #WomenWhoTravel #AmongTheWild #IdHikeThat #WanderWomen #AdventureTravel #OutdoorWomen #EasyDoesntChangeYou #WomenWhoHike #WomenTravelingTogether #WildernessExplorer #WeAreExplorerChick #HikingCulture #HikeLikeAWomen #SheIsNotLost #WomenWhoExplore #WeAreNature #WomenSupportingWomen #HikingTips #PositiveMindset #OutdoorTherapy #NatureTherapy #BucketListTrip #BucketListTravel #explorerchickred ##backpacking #wildernessculture Open 🙈 Intimidated by backpacking?✋GIRL... let EC Guide Ashley put your fears to rest! Peep this preview of what our beginner friendly (2) day Red River Gorge Backpacking Workshop looks like 🤩.👇 Let us put you at ease... What fears or hesitations do you have about backpacking?#explorerchick #ExplorerChickAdventureCo #womenwhotravel #womentravelingtogether #easydoesntchangeyou #weareexplorerchick #adventuretravel #SheIsNotLost #WomenSupportingWomen #amongthewild #summercamp #memorylane #wildernesstraining #outdoorskills #hikingAT #wildernessskills #wildernessvibes #wildernessadventure #wildernesstherapy #wildernesslivingskills #wildernessexplorer #hiking101 #likeamountaingirl #backpackerlife #backpacktravel #backpackwithme #explorerchickred Open 🥾 Last month, 7 Explorer Chicks laughed their way through the woods of Kentucky, learning how to pack a backpack, filter water, and cook delicious backcountry burritos.🌸 They ooh-ed and aaah-ed at the beautiful spring flowers, climbed over and under giant fallen trees, using teamwork and communication to safely get each other over all the obstacles that Rough Trail has to offer! 🧘 They meditated to a magical view, feasted on gourmet charcuterie lunch, and workshopped their peeing in the woods systems in great detail until perfected.These women were ready for anything and truly gave this backpacking experience their all!-EC Guide Janie🌲 What`s your peeing in the woods pro tip?! 👇📍Red River Gorge, Kentucky 🔗 in bio for Fall Backpacking Workshop dates.#ExplorerChick #WomenWhoTravel #AmongTheWild #IdHikeThat #WanderWomen #AdventureTravel #OutdoorWomen #EasyDoesntChangeYou #WomenWhoHike #WomenTravelingTogether #WildernessExplorer #WeAreExplorerChick #HikingCulture #HikeLikeAWomen #SheIsNotLost #WomenWhoExplore #WeAreNature #WomenSupportingWomen #HikingTips #PositiveMindset #OutdoorTherapy #NatureTherapy #backpackinglife #backpackinggear #weekendtrip #explorerchickred Open "I was a complete newbie to hiking, but I decided to step far outside my comfort zone (which was more glamping if even that). 😅I packed enough to conquer the whole Appalachian Trail for an overnight trip, but with our amazing guide, who boosted us up from the very beginning to the self-fulfilled end, I was able to slim down my gear so I could at least get the pack on and not fall over.⛺ Backpacking to our campsite made me feel like an army of strong women taking on the wilderness. We were challenged, but in a good way, making it to the top together, celebrating with high fives, hugs and a celebratory lunch!We were provided with tools to continue our journeys once the trip ended, like learning to filter water, setting up a tent on our own, and preparing meals on the trail-which were all firsts for me. We can’t forget about hanging bear bags and 💩 in the woods ( I definitely didn’t know all the rules about that).😍 The views left me speechless, BUT what I loved the most was the feeling of accomplishment you have at the end, knowing we kicked butt trying something new and succeeded!💪We did it!! Together!! No woman left behind!!Fast forward to now…this trip empowered me and gave me the confidence to section hike part of the AT, do solo overnight backpacking trips and hike the Grand Canyon Rim to Rim.❤️Honestly, you will never know until you give it a try. It can open up a whole new version of you!🥾 Hiking/backpacking is now my happy place that gives me peace and an appreciation of the outdoors I never knew existed until Red River Gorge with Explorer Chick called my name!"-Explorer Chick Kim🤔 Have you been on a life-changing trip? Share it with us! We want to celebrate you👇#explorerchickadventureco #hikingforbeginners #learntobackpack #backpacking #backpackingforbeginners #backpacking101 #wildernessskills #backcountrybabes #easydoesntchangeyou #redrivergorge #wildernessadventure #sheisnotlost #amongthewild #backpackingtips #explorerchickred Open 🚨 UNDERRATED EAST COAST DESTINATION 🚨🤫 Arches National Park isn`t the only area known for sandstone arches.🤩 There are more than 150 natural sandstone arches in Kentucky`s Red River Gorge Geological Area.🌬️ Sculpted by years of erosion from wind and water, the arches provide spectacular views and nooks to explore, especially with over 600 miles of trails to enjoy.🧱 In the 60`s, the Red River Gorge`s future was threatened by a proposed dam that would have flooded these geological wonders.🥾Thankfully, a protest hike derailed this plan, so we can continue to wander this hikers dreamland during our 2-day backpacking workshops ... although we won`t be hiking all 600 miles of trail! 😅👇Okay, ultimate showdown question...🤜 East Coast hiking vs. West Coast hiking?🤛📣ALL TRIPS THROUGH MAY ARE CONFIRMED 🔗 in bio to snag your spot on these spring backpacking workshops:April (15/16), (22/23), (27/28), (29/30)May (6/7), (18/19), (20/21)*NO BACKPACKING EXPERIENCE REQUIRED!#explorerchick #ExplorerChickAdventureCo #womenwhotravel #womentravelingtogether #easydoesntchangeyou #weareexplorerchick #adventuretravel #SheIsNotLost #WomenSupportingWomen #amongthewild #summercamp #memorylane #wildernesstraining #outdoorskills #hikingAT #wildernessskills #wildernessvibes #wildernessadventure #wildernesstherapy #wildernesslivingskills #wildernessexplorer #hiking101 #likeamountaingirl #backpackerlife #backpacktravel #backpackwithme #explorerchickred Open 🚁 “Help! I’ve fallen and can’t get up!”😜 Just some “reel” SHE-nanigans on the trail!🥾 We’re teaching you ALL the vital information on our backpacking trips!👇 Which backpacking rest position is your favorite?We’re torn between the #Twerk and #LifeAlert!#explorerchickadventureco #explorerchick #easydoesntchangeyou #hikingtips #backpackingtips #trekkingpoles #outdoorwomen #backpackingwomen #howtobackpack #girlswhohike #campingtricks #sheisnotlost #amongthewild #backpacking #wearenature #shenanigans #traillove #backpacktravel #explorerchickred Open Load More In Her Words Jesse P. ★★★★★ This weekend we spent a couple of days backpacking with Explorer Chick Adventure Co. in the RedRiver Gorge of Kentucky. It was such an awesome experience! It was honestly one of the most challenging things I’ve ever done. Those packs weren’t just huge - they were heavy! And the trail was quite aptly named the Rough Trail, haha. Steep inclines and fallen trees were just par for the course along our route. The wonderful guides left me feeling confident and excited about continuing my outdoor adventures. This place was beautiful, and I hope to visit it again someday. Lauren was an incredible guide and Jodi and Amy were awesome.Regan C. ★★★★★ Had a great time on my backpacking trip to Red River Gorge with Explorer Chick. My guide Ashley B. was fantastic and very encouraging and patient. I would highly recommend this trip.Joyce B. ★★★★★ My first trip with Explorer Chick exceeded my expectations. For someone who hadn’t camped since Girl Scouts there was a lot outside of my comfort zone in relation to this workshop, but there’s our guide Ashley. She was exceptional at editing out backpacks and preparing us to take the trails. We hiked the Rough Trail 4+ miles set up camp. Then strolled to Hansen’s Point to relax and chat before dinner (one of my favorite moments)! Next day, we hiked out almost 3 miles back to the trailhead and took an optional hike to Princess Arch before heading to lunch. There is a reason they call the Gorge…Red River Gorgeous. The forest landscape is absolutely breathtaking at every turn. The Backpacking Workshop is active learning and extremely informative. Ashley is an exceptional leader who empowered her group to excel at the task and bond as a team. Thank you Ashley and trailmates for a fabulous experience!Rena N. ★★★★★ I went on the October 8th, 2022 Red River Gorge Backpacking Workshop trip. So glad I did! This was a perfect beginner backpacking experience. It was challenging but not too challenging to be enjoyable. Janie was such a knowledgeable, kind & patient guide. I learned a lot & cannot wait to go on another backpacking adventure.Courtney A. ★★★★★ Just went on my 1st Explore Chick trip, a backpacking workshop in the Red River Gorge in Kentucky. What an incredible experience! This was my 1st solo travel trip and I was NERVOUS that I would be the only one that didn't have a friend with me. Boy was I wrong, out of our group of 9, only 3 knew each other. Right away our group got to know each other and the bonding started. By the end of the tip, I knew I had made some new lifelong friends...friends to continue to explore with! Our guide was amazing (shout out to Janie!) and taught us so much about backpacking and camping. I can't wait to go on more Explore Chick adventures, if you are on the fence...stop overthinking it and sign up! You won't regret it 😉Lisa B. ★★★★★ So I just finished my Red River Gorge backpacking trip and it was terrific! I learned so much from my awesome guide Janie. She was so very knowledgeable and experienced and taught us everything we needed to know about backpacking, leave no trace and empowering women. The trail was tough at times but very rewarding in the end. The challenge is what makes you stronger emotionally and physically. Being a 54 year old woman it proves your never too old to try something new.Thank you Janie and Explorer Chicks for a great weekend :)Lisa BNina B. ★★★★★ I had the extreme pleasure of taking the Red River Gorge trip with Explorer Chick this past weekend. The entire trip entirely exceeded my expectations! Our guide Ashley was phenomenal! I felt so comfortable and safe with her. She was very prepared, knowledgeable, patient, and kind! Her passion for guiding, and adventuring really showed through! I learned so much. If you’re thinking about doing a trip with this company, stop thinking and DO! You will not be disappointed!Amanda S. ★★★★★ Went on Red River Gorge trip this weekend. It was everything I hoped and more! I learned a lot about the basics of backpacking and good tidbits for general hiking. Most importantly the whole group was AMAZING! The guides specifically were a wealth of information knowledgeable, experienced hikers. They were also very kind, patient, supportive, encouraging, easy to talk to AND fun! Seriously, it was a great time. I can’t wait to do another trip!Marisa L. ★★★★★ I went on the Red River Gorge Backpacking Trip this past weekend with Kelsey as our tour guide.This trip & she rocked!She coached us on packing meals, our backpack, about the area, pitching a tent, filtering water, and so much more.The spot she had picked for our camping spot was perfect for our group with a very short walk to our morning sunset view.I learned a few tricks as well while hiking to be easier on my knees and carrying a 45# backpack.Laura B. ★★★★★ I just completed the backpacking workshop in Red River Gorge Kentucky. It was amazing. Kelsey was a great guide and even when things went "off script" kept her cool. She gave us so much great information on everything that goes into backpacking, from equipment to general knowledge. I would highly recommend this trip anyone who wants to learn what it takes to backpack!Mary P. ★★★★★ Red River Gorge intro to backpacking with Kelsey Doolittle was fantastic. She is a calm, cool and collected guide who gave instructions in bite sized tidbits throughout the weekend, easy to put into practice and remember. The women on my trip were a great mix too--encouraging, supportive and willing to share what they had, whether it be bug spray, extra snacks or a word of encouragement. Three miles to camp was no joke! We all put in a good amount of sweat equity--keep that extra shirt in your pack, you will be glad on day two!Merve O. ★★★★★ The Red River Gorge Backpacking was amazing. I highly recommend it! Our guide was Kelsie, I can't imagine a better guide. She was very informative and nice. Let's Do This Starting from $429 Book Now Save $30 with our Early Bird Discounts! Just book at least 6 Months in Advance! Discount is automatically applied. 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