Hiking & Backpacking communities

FTA chapter maintaining trails around Lake Okeechobee and Jonathan Dickinson; known for the Big O hike.

Fort Lauderdale, FL

FTA chapters for Alachua, Marion, Levy and Gilchrist counties: hikes, skills workshops and trail maintenance.

Gainesville, FL

FTA's largest chapter, covering Tampa Bay to Sarasota with hikes, paddles and trail maintenance.

Tampa, FL

Morganton land trust that leads guided hikes on its preserves and hosts community events.

Morganton, NC

Volunteers who maintain the 77-mile Foothills Trail on the North and South Carolina line, with trail work days and member outings.

Mountain Rest, SC

Volunteer group offering guided nature hikes and education at Daley Ranch preserve in Escondido.

Escondido, CA

Volunteer group leading free guided walks and trail work in Los Penasquitos Canyon Preserve.

San Diego, CA

Volunteer group supporting Mount Tamalpais State Park with free guided hikes and park stewardship.

Mill Valley, CA

Volunteer group supporting Roxborough State Park with nature walks, education programs and stewardship.

Littleton

Volunteer group with guided hikes and trail work days in the Blue Hills Reservation.

Quincy MA

Gorge conservation group offering guided hikes, rides, paddles and outings in the Columbia River Gorge.

Portland, OR

Friends group for the Middlesex Fells north of Boston with guided hikes, nature walks and volunteer trail days.

Medford, MA

Park support nonprofit running guided hike series, including beginner-paced hikes, and volunteer days in the Smokies.

Gatlinburg, TN

Salt Lake City women's hiking community with group hikes, monthly short hiking happy hours, volunteer days and multi-day trips.

Salt Lake City

Bay Area women's hiking group organizing social group hikes.

San Francisco, CA

Women's hiking group getting women of all ages and backgrounds out on Florida trails.

Orlando, FL

Worcester land trust with a guided hike series and volunteer days.

Worcester MA

Nonprofit membership club that protects and maintains Vermont's Long Trail System, with hikes, education and trail stewardship.

Waterbury Center, VT

Intersectional hiking club for women of color hosting group hikes and outdoor workshops.

Los Angeles, CA

Nonprofit headquartered near Madison that builds the Ice Age Trail and runs group hikes and volunteer trail events statewide.

Madison, WI

Boise Meetup group for day hikes and backpacking trips around Idaho.

Boise, ID

Issaquah trails nonprofit offering several free guided hikes every week on Cougar, Squak and Tiger mountains, plus trail work.

Issaquah, WA

Nonprofit leading guided hikes, family outings and volunteer days in Laguna Coast Wilderness Park.

Laguna Beach, CA

Land trust leading guided hikes, paddles and volunteer days around Lake George.

Lake George NY

Huntsville land trust with free guided hikes and trail care days on its public preserves.

Huntsville, AL

Sonoma County land group with guided outings, open preserve days and stewardship events.

Santa Rosa, CA

Meetup hiking group near Charleston with late-morning start times.

Charleston, SC

Land trust around Bridgton with guided hikes and events on Pleasant Mountain and other preserves.

Bridgton, ME

Large Meetup group for hikers, backpackers and campers with regular local hikes and volunteer outings.

Louisville, KY

Volunteer-led club running hikes, paddles, ski trips and more, including regular trips to the White Mountains.

Portland, ME

First chartered NCTA chapter, maintaining about 110 trail miles near Marquette with group hikes, snowshoe outings and trail work days.

Marquette, MI

Portland mountaineering club running climbs, hikes, classes and public trips across the Cascades.

Portland, OR

ADK chapter running hikes, paddles, snowshoe outings and skills workshops across the mid-Hudson counties; some outings open to guests.

New Paltz, NY · not in an area yet

Volunteer-led Twin Cities outdoor club running hikes, paddles, ski trips, bike rides and volunteer outings.

Minneapolis, MN

Volunteer association offering naturalist-led hikes and programs in Mount Diablo State Park.

Walnut Creek, CA

Damascus club that maintains 59 miles of the Appalachian Trail and leads public hikes and trail work trips.

Damascus, VA

Anchorage club with monthly meetings, mountaineering courses, ice climbing festival and trips.

Anchorage, AK · not in an area yet

Carson City nonprofit with free guided walks, hikes and rides on local trails, plus trail building.

Carson City, NV

Franklin club that maintains 58 miles of the Appalachian Trail and leads hikes most weekends.

Franklin, NC

Meetup group running regular group hikes at Radnor Lake and other Middle Tennessee parks.

Nashville, TN

Albuquerque club since 1952 offering hikes, climbing, skiing and snowshoe outings.

Albuquerque, NM · not in an area yet

Century-old NYC hiking club with weekly outings reachable by public transportation.

New York, NY · not in an area yet

Meetup group for New Yorkers that organizes group hikes and nature outings.

New York, NY · not in an area yet

Land trust offering guided hikes and volunteer restoration days on its Ojai Valley preserves.

Ojai, CA

Conservation group leading free wild-places hikes plus talks across Oregon.

Portland, OR

Meetup hiking club running group hikes and trips around St. George and southern Utah.

St. George, UT

Fayetteville chapter of the Ozark Society leading hikes, floats and outings such as the Buffalo River Classic.

Fayetteville, AR · not in an area yet

Bentonville chapter of the Ozark Society leading hikes, floats and conservation outings.

Bentonville, AR · not in an area yet

Volunteer-run Park City club for adults: hiking, cycling, climbing, skiing and snowshoeing outings for members.

Park City

Hiking club with public hikes open to guests around the Philadelphia area.

Philadelphia, PA