Best Yosemite & Olympic Backpacking Trips of 2025
As we wrap up another incredible year of guiding, we’re proud to reflect on how far we’ve come — and to look ahead at what’s next. From deep forests to granite summits, our adventurers have pushed limits, discovered wonder, and formed lasting memories. Our guides led hundreds of guests through some of the nation’s most […]
Best of Lasting Adventures Summer Camp Season – 2025 Recap 🌄
Another unforgettable Summer Camp season is in the books, and we couldn’t be prouder of the experiences, growth, and community we shared in 2025. From rugged coastlines to towering granite peaks, 370 youth adventurers joined us in exploring wild spaces, gaining confidence, and building lifelong memories. Here’s a look back at the highlights, milestones, and […]
Why Late Summer 2025 Is the Best Time to Visit Yosemite in Years
If you’re planning a trip to Yosemite National Park, late summer 2025 may be your best window in years. As someone who has been guiding in Yosemite for over three decades, I can confidently say this season offers a rare combination of beauty, tranquility, and accessibility that’s not to be missed. Why Late Summer Is […]
Meet Your Guide: Rowan Knight
Adventure, Art, and a Little Bit of Cheesecake Rowan Knight brings a rare blend of creativity, compassion, and curiosity to the trail—and we’re stoked to have them on the Lasting Adventures team! 📍 From Arkansas to the American Southwest Originally from Little Rock, Arkansas, Rowan first fell in love with backpacking during undergrad in Colorado. […]
Ten Essential Tips for Beginner Backpackers
Embarking on your first backpacking adventure is an exciting journey into the great outdoors, but it can also be daunting for beginner backpackers. Fear not! Here are ten essential tips to help you navigate the trails and make the most of your backpacking experience. 1. Start with a Short Trip For your maiden backpacking voyage, […]
Why You Should Do a Guided Backpacking Trip
If you’ve ever dreamed of disappearing into the wild — of hiking deep into towering forests, scaling granite cliffs, or falling asleep beneath a sea of stars — then a backpacking trip is probably already on your list. But should you plan all of this by yourself? Or is there a better way? At Lasting […]
Best Adventure Camps in the West
When it comes to unforgettable summer experiences, few things compare to adventure camps in the West. Out West, where towering mountains, ancient forests, and rugged coastlines create the perfect natural playground, the best camps offer more than just outdoor fun — they build confidence, resilience, and lifelong memories. At Lasting Adventures, we specialize in exactly […]
Olympic National Park Backpacking Permits Complete Guide
Olympic National Park, located in the state of Washington, is a stunning and diverse natural wonderland that offers a wide range of outdoor experiences. From lush rainforests to rugged coastlines and pristine alpine meadows, the park has something for every nature enthusiast. If you’re an avid backpacker, you’re in for a treat. To explore the […]
Backpacking Tips for Women: Gear, Grit & Getting Out There
Let’s face it: Men have long dominated the outdoor scene. But there’s actually one sport that has a pretty level playing field: backpacking. Although men will traditionally be stronger, women’s bodies are actually built for backpacking. Those child-bearing hips? Perfect for carrying the weight of a pack all day. The ability to withstand pain and […]
Olympic National Park Youth Trips
The time of year is fast approaching when parents in Portland and Seattle search for the perfect summer camp experience for their kids. But why settle for an ordinary camp when your child could embark on the adventure of a lifetime? Olympic National Park youth trips offer an unforgettable journey into one of the world’s […]
Five of the Most Famous Thru-Hikes in the United States
A thru-hike is a long-distance hike that involves walking the entire length of a trail or route, typically from one end to the other. Thru-hikers can cover hundreds or thousands of miles in several weeks or months, carrying all necessary gear and supplies. You can take these journeys all at once (thru-hiking), broken up over […]
Half Dome Hike: Everything You Need to Know
Exhilarating, exhausting, and absolutely unforgettable. The Half Dome hike is a must-do for serious hikers, a challenge that combines stunning scenery, physical grit, and a sense of triumph. This iconic granite formation has drawn adventurers from across the globe to ascend its steel cables and stand atop its monumental summit. Once deemed “perfectly inaccessible” by […]
John Muir Trail Thru-Hike Alternatives
Since I started working at Lasting Adventures in 2015, backpacking as a hobby has steadily increased in popularity. Many new backpackers find themselves itching to thru-hike the trails they see in movies like “Mile… Mile & A Half” (2013) and “Wild” (2014). With diverse landscapes, a mild climate, easily accessible trails, and a wide variety […]
Celebrating 15 Years of Adventure with Lasting Adventures Guide Service
As 2024 marks the 15th anniversary of Lasting Adventures guide service, we’re reflecting on our incredible journeys with adventurers of all ages through our national parks. From nine-year-olds to seventy-nine-year-olds, we’ve had the privilege of guiding a diverse range of guests on unforgettable trips across the wild beauty of Yosemite, Olympic, and beyond! We are […]
Best of Lasting Adventures Summer Camp for 2024
This summer, Lasting Adventures Summer Camp had the incredible opportunity to host over 420 youth on our backpacking adventures in Yosemite and Olympic National Parks. Our diverse groups included three Young Women’s Adventures, five Young Adventurers, five 13-Day Backpacking Adventures, and an impressive twenty 6-Day Backpacking Adventures! Whether exploring the enchanting forests of Olympic or […]