All Trips > Kentucky > Red River Gorge Backpacking Workshop Red River Gorge Backpacking Workshop Book Your RRG Trip 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 Book Your RRG Trip 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 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. 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 (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. More from the Red “For me, this wasn’t just a vacation. It was a life changing experience. My trip to Red River Gorge was even better than I expected. Our guide, Jess, was AMAZING. She not only embodies the vision and mission of the company, but is also a great mentor for both amateurs and experienced trekkers. I loved every minute!”-Explorer Chick Mara📍Red River Gorge Beginner Backpacking Workshop#ExplorerChick #RedRiverGorge #Backpacking #Adventure #TransformativeTravel #ExplorerChickRed 75 2 Open 75 2 “I can’t say enough about my experience on the Red River Gorge Backpacking Workshop! All the gals were so friendly, and I learned so much from our guide, Amy. She did such a great job of accommodating my paleo diet, which gives me ideas and hope for eating well when I backpack on my own! (Yes, after this trip, I feel like I could backpack successfully) The location was gorgeous and challenging. This trip was just perfect!”-Linda 📍Red River Gorge Backpacking Workshop🙋♀️Ready to learn how to backpack in an empowered, female-led space? Get hands-on, ask all the questions, and walk away feeling confident about backpacking after just one night.🎒Gear’s on us, and we’re eating like backcountry queens (always).🔗Link in bio to learn how to backpack with us!#explorerchick #Womenempowerment #Backpacking #Backpackingtips #Camping #RedRiverGorge #Explorerchickred 65 0 Open 65 0 ✅ All backpacking gear is included.🤚 No experience required.10 women. 2 days.🗓 Spring 2024 dates are open! 🔗 in bio for the details!#trynewthings #backpackingwomen #explorerchickred #newfriends #learntobackpack #wildernessculture #backpackerlife #backpackinggear #hikingadventures #wildernessskills #adventuretravel #explorerchick #easydoesntchangeyou #appalachiantrail #amongthewild 109 4 Open 109 4 ⛺ "I had my very first experience camping with a group of amazing and badass ladies! ⭐ Amy, our guide, was just incredible! She went far and beyond to explain everything and make us feel safe every step of the way. I have already booked my next trip! 💪 I highly recommend Explorer Chick for all the strong and wonderful ladies that would love a wonderful experience !!! I am so lucky to have found this company!"-EC Ingrid💕 Ingrid! We are SO GLAD you found us and took that leap of courage to try backpacking for the first time, igniting that fire to explore!🔥💪 We cannot wait to take on Half Dome with you in 2024!#explorerchick #ExplorerChickAdventureCo #womenwhotravel #womentravelingtogether #easydoesntchangeyou #weareexplorerchick #adventuretravel #SheIsNotLost #WomenSupportingWomen #amongthewild #summercamp #memorylane #wildernesstraining #outdoorskills #hikingAT #wildernessskills #wildernessvibes #wildernessadventure #wildernesstherapy #wildernesslivingskills #wildernessexplorer #backpacking #womenwhobackpack #explorerchickred #backpackingtips #andshesdopetoo #womenintheoutdoors 103 1 Open 103 1 Load More Let's Do This Starting from $469 Book Now Save $30 with our Early Bird Discounts! Just book at least 6 Months in Advance! Discount is automatically applied. Non-Refundable Deposit: $100 due at booking to secure your spot Questions about Red River Gorge? Book a call with our Destination + Guest Experience Manager, Amy, or fill out the form below. Name(Required) First Name Last Name Email(Required) Enter Email Confirm Email Send us your RRG questions!(Required)PhoneThis field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged. In Her Words Rachel M.I just returned from the Red River Gorge trip in Kentucky. Lauren Beatty was our fantastic guide. I learned a lot and had a blast. I highly recommend and will be booking another trip soon!mary S.I had a great trip with Ashley to Red River Gorge! I would totally recommend working with this company.Sabrina C.I had a great first time backcountry backpacking trip at Red River gorge with Explorer Chick. I wanted to challenge myself and see beautiful scenery. Our guide- Jody, was amazing!!! We had the best meals, she even made brownies and brought a candle for one of the ladies to celebrate her birthday. Looking forward to another one very soon!!Kim K.Hiking and camping in Red River Gorge was my first adventure with Explorer Chick. The trek was challenging, fun and so rewarding. Amy, our guide, is the best. I felt comfortable with her and the group right away. She is extremely knowledgeable and put us at ease immediately. I never doubted our safety and felt upto any challenge with her encouragement. This adventure was amazing and an excellent first experience with EC. I only wish that Amy lead other adventures too. Anyway, book this trip and you won't regret it!Terri BJust returned from a trip to Red River Gorge in Kentucky. It was a fabulous experience as a first time backpacker. The trails were beautiful and the views were stunning. It was very organized which I loved. Gear was borrowed from EC and grateful we didn’t have to purchase before experiencing it. I already have three more trips planned for 2025!Mara K.I highly recommend Explorer Chick! My trip to Red River Gorge was even better than I expected. Our guide, Jess, was AMAZING. She not only embodies the vision and mission of the company, but is also a great mentor for both amateurs and experienced trekkers. For me, this wasn't just a vacation, it was a life changing experience. I loved every minute!Carolina S.Red River Gorge Backpacking Workshop:I was looking for a trip to experience and learn more about backpacking. I can do research all day but nothing beats real life hands-on experience! Our guide was Amy, and she did an amazing job at answering all of our questions and teaching us. She made the experience feel effortless to plan, easy to arrive and have fun. The hike itself is moderate, achievable with some preparation and determination. Bonding with women of all ages who share a passion for travel and nature is always a plus! I would recommend this trip to anyone looking to get into backpacking.The views are stunning too, did not know this gem was in KY.Kitty F.2 day 1 night - Red River Gorge, with the best group ever! Thank you so much Jody, wonderful, knowledgeable, guide. As well as a big thank you to the amazing group of "chicks". Thank you!Rachel H.The Red River Gorge Backpacking Trip was an incredible weekend trip. I learned a lot of skills to make me more ready to experience backpacking, saw beautiful scenary at the Gorge, met wonderful people and worked with a truly wonderful guide. Would definitely recommencd the trip.Linda W.I can’t say enough about my experience on the RedRiver Gorge Backpacking Workshop! All the gals were so friendly! I learned so much from our guide, Amy. And she did such a great job of accommodating my paleo diet, which gives me ideas and hope for eating well when I backpack on my own! (Yes, after this trip I feel like I could backpack successfully) The location was gorgeous and challenging, just perfect! Another great Explorer Chick adventure! Book with Confidence Your wanderlust doesn’t have to wait. Our payment plans make booking your dream trip easier than ever. The best part? Zero additional fees. Payment Plans We want nothing more than for you join us. However, we understand emergencies do occur that may cause you to cancel your reservation. Cancellation Policy To protect your travel investment and your hide, we recommend purchasing travel insurance. Receive a no-hassle, online quote in less than 2 minutes. 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