About Our Backpacking Expeditions

Through our small-group backcountry expeditions, we bring youth and adults face-to-face with the outdoor places that make Oregon great—pristine mountain streams, uncut vistas, and old-growth forests. With offerings for all ages and abilities, Opal Creek Expeditions traverse miles of backcountry trail, summit ridgelines and peaks, and visit sub-alpine lakes and streams, for a unique and rewarding backcountry experience. As each participant learns the ins and outs of backpacking, their confidence grows—in their skills and in themselves.

Our one-of-a-kind model teaches:

• Backcountry skills – You'll learn about backcountry gear, map and compass navigation, backcountry cooking, and wilderness first aid. You'll take on a variety of roles to practice and hone your skills.
• Confidence – We face the physical and mental challenges of backpacking as a team, building confidence with each step.
• Learning from nature – We believe the best relationship with nature starts with asking questions, deepening our knowledge based on what we see on the trail. Discover new plants and animals, see firsthand the effects of fire in the wilderness, and read the history of the Northwest in the rocks under your feet.
• Leave No Trace – We practice Leave No Trace, teaching you to be an environmental steward wherever you go.
• Dedication to risk assessment – Our guides are all certified Wilderness First Responders; we model safe backcountry practices and are trained to handle any backcountry medical situation that may arise.
• Fun! – We have plenty of time for fun, whether we're swimming, singing songs, playing cards, or laughing at jokes. You'll walk away with memories for a lifetime!

Affinity Trips

At Opal Creek, we firmly believe in the transformative power of affinity group trips—adventures designed, led, and facilitated by members of the communities they serve. These trips create safe and empowering spaces where participants can connect deeply with nature and one another.

Over the years, we’ve proudly hosted trips tailored for many different groups, including Latino backpackers, Indigenous youth, LGBTQ+ youth and adults, women and nonbinary adventurers, among others. Each of these experiences is crafted to celebrate and support the unique identities and perspectives that participants bring to the outdoors.

With the support of grants and fundraising efforts, we are striving to make these life-changing adventures accessible to even more people. Expanding our affinity programming is a cornerstone of our mission because we know the profound impact of exploring the backcountry within a supportive community of peers.

Together, we’re not just venturing into nature; we’re building bonds, breaking barriers, and fostering a sense of belonging that stays with participants long after the trip ends.

Trip Formats:

We’re sticking with our popular 7-day/6-night expeditions and our shorter 4-day/3-night adventure. The shorter option is perfect for adventurers with tighter schedules who still want to immerse themselves in Oregon’s backcountry.

Drop Off & Shuttle Service:

Youth Expeditions are launched from the Minto Brown Island Park in Salem and Portland Oregon!

Schedule:

All youth trips will begin on Tuesdays. This schedule, paired with our morning shuttle drop-offs before the workday starts, make for a more convenient and accessible start to your adventure.

Are you ready for an Opal Creek Expedition?

Our backpacking, rafting, and paddle adventures are open to anyone 10 and up who’s ready to connect with nature, challenge themselves, and have fun. The backcountry requires teamwork, awareness, and physical fitness. If you are wondering if a trip is right for you or your child, 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.