2026 Registration goes live on February 17th!

For 4 days/3 nights, adults can join us in the Oregon backcountry for a unique and rewarding outdoor adventure experience. Our one-of-a-kind model teaches: backcountry skills, confidence, learning from nature, Leave No Trace, dedication to safety, and fun! With two guides leading a group of up to 10 adults, we offer a 1:5 guide to participant ratio. We provide all food and group gear (e.g., tents, camp stoves, water filters), and each participant brings a backpack, sleeping bag, and sleeping pad as key personal gear you'll need. We have a full gear closet available to you for any items you do not already own.

We offer scholarships on a sliding scale from 15% to 100% tuition coverage, and all are encouraged to apply.

2026 Adult Expedition Offerings Include:

• BIPOC Affinity Backpacking - June 18-21
• Women's Backpacking - June 25-28
• Intro to Backpacking - September 4-7
• LGBTQ+ Affinity Backpacking - September 11-14

Trip Format, Schedule, & Transportation:

We’re introducing a brand-new 4-day/3-night format! All trips begin on Fridays and end on Mondays, and are launched from the Minto Brown Island Park in Salem. Our shuttle service will be departing from Portland Oregon!

We’re looking forward to another incredible season of adventures and can’t wait to have you join us.

Are you ready for an Opal Creek Expedition?

Our adult backpacking adventures are open to anyone 18 and up who’s ready to connect with nature, challenge themselves, and have fun. If you are wondering if a trip is right for you, please review our Essential Eligibility Criteria and difficulty levels.

Opal Creek provides all food (snacks and meals), tents, water filters, stoves, fuel, first aid, cookware, bug spray/sunscreen, and bear/animal-proofing. You are required to bring personal items and equipment, though we have a gear library for your use with extra sleeping bags, backpacks, sleeping pads, water bottles, and dishes. View the full packing list for more details.

Cancellation Policy

Your reservation is fully refundable at least 60 days out from the trip start date. Within 60 days, this trip is no longer refundable. If this is a problem for you, we strongly recommend purchasing trip insurance. Visit SquareMouth to get a quote from many different trip insurance providers. If you'd like "cancel for any reason" insurance, there's usually a requirement that you acquire it within a short window after booking your trip.