REI Adventures, an award-winning leader in worldwide guided active adventure programs since 1987, expands its Signature Camp destinations. Eight new adventures await solo travelers, couples, friends and families in Arches, Canyonlands, Capitol Reef, Grand Canyon, Great Smoky Mountains, Rocky Mountain and Yosemite national parks.
REI Signature Camping is a deluxe experience, complete with an oversized REI tent for each couple or solo traveler. Tents are outfitted with REI cots, REI plush sleeping pads, floor coverings, lighting and more. A community area with furniture, hammocks, covered dining area, outdoor games and twinkle lights set a fun atmosphere. Extras include French press coffee delivered to tents every morning, hearty meals that highlight regional cuisine, and appetizers and beverages that await guests’ arrival in camp. Where available, camps have bathrooms with running water, showers and flushing toilets. Where not available, personal hygiene kits and access to campground bathroom facilities are provided.
“REI Signature Camping is the perfect combination of exceptional gear, knowledgeable guides and active exploration where our guests are immersed into the destination,” said Cynthia Dunbar, GM, REI Adventures. “Our trips are truly one-of-a kind experiences. For example, our Utah National Park Ultimate Adventure explores five national parks in the state, including Arches, Bryce Canyon, Canyonlands, Capitol Reef and Zion.”
New trips include:
Arizona Ultimate Adventure Grand Canyon & Beyond
Arizona’s defining geologic landscape is the backdrop of an eight-day hiking and kayaking adventure that begins with two days in the Grand Canyon. Explorers have the option to kayak Lake Powell and explore Antelope Canyon. The itinerary visits Monument Valley and wraps up in Canyon de Chelly National Monument where a local Navajo guide enlightens guests on the history of the canyon and cultures.
Great Smoky Mountains Adventure
The Smokies have the distinction of being America’s most visited park and a UNESCO World Heritage site. By day, visitors explore the classic Appalachian Trail, and by night, nature watching features regional fireflies, bioluminescent foxfire and owls. After three days of hiking, the final day includes zip-lining between mountain tops and whitewater rafting down the Nantahala River. A Great Smoky Mountains Family Adventure is also available.
Rocky Mountain National Park Adventure
Over six days, guests have an immersive experience through this park well-known for its alpine lakes. Visitors will hike along meadows and lakes, alongside rock formations formed by glaciers. Mid-way through the trip, the group sets off on a whitewater adventure on the Cache la Poudre, Colorado’s only designated “Wild and Scenic River.” A scenic drive follows on Trail Ridge Road, the highest paved road in the America, and a hike crossing the Continental Divide Trail. A family itinerary of this adventure is also available, with young guests taking part in a Junior Ranger program.
Utah National Parks Ultimate Adventure
REI’s Utah trip takes visitors through Utah’s national parks: Arches, Bryce Canyon, Canyonlands, Capitol Reef and Zion. Over nine days, guests stay at four deluxe camps. Highlights include learning about ancient, visiting the ruins of an ancestral Puebloan village, stopping by the Colorado River, and deciphering Newspaper Rock’s petroglyphs.
Yosemite Hiking & Camping
This six-day hiking adventure includes taking in the best views of El Capitan, navigating 600 stone steps down to the 317-foot Vernal Falls, experiencing Tuolumne Grove’s giant sequoias, and tackling Yosemite’s second highest peak, Mount Dana. On evening hikes, guests witness the alpenglow on the High Sierra peaks, also known as John Muir’s “Range of Light,” panoramic views of Lembert Dome and more. REI’s Yosemite Family Adventure, also six days, is also offered at this destination.
Honoring the Centennial
As the “Official Outdoor Retailer” for the National Park Centennial celebration, REI is donating 10 percent of the retail price for each REI Adventures’ national park trip to the National Park Foundation through 2016. With the addition of the new Signature Camp itineraries, REI Adventures now offers more than 45 trips to national parks.
Cheap gas prices could help the National Park Service set visitation records for the second consecutive year on the eve of its 100 year anniversary. See the full projection here.
