
What we’re about
Want to spend more time in nature, learn new skills, and meet great people? This is the biggest outdoor adventure meetup in WI. All skill levels are welcome. We have free social events at least once per month that focus on things like backpacking skills, wild edibles, cold weather adventure, day hikes, gear, or just sitting around the fire sharing stories.
We hold a variety of classes and trips based on member interest including Wilderness First Aid certifications, backpacking and canoe camping trips, survival courses, cooking classes, firearms training and more. We also offer very unique and one of a kind international expeditions. From Mt. Everest to the Arctic to the Amazon Jungle these trips are organized and guided by NOW Outdoors.
We help people become more skilled, more experienced, and more confident outdoors. We never want to exclude anyone from classes or trips so please contact us with any questions or concerns so we can help you to be fully equipped for any adventure.
If you have a trip or event idea that you'd like to see, please email us at info@nowoutdoors.org.
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Upcoming events (4+)
See all- Wabakimi Canoe Expedition - A True Canadian Wilderness AdventureWabakimi Provincial Park, Thunder Bay, ON
Gear up for this exclusive unforgettable journey deep into the wild heart of Wabakimi Provincial Park, where the untamed wilderness awaits. We're headed there in May for a bush plane drop-off, 12-day paddle adventure. This all-inclusive trip plunges you deep into one of North America’s most secluded, rugged, and pristine paddling destinations. Experience breathtaking landscapes, tackle challenging portages, and encounter incredible wildlife in their natural habitat. Space is limited (4 spots) and reserved for experienced backcountry travelers. If you’re ready to elevate your level of adventure, this is your call to the wild.
Trip Highlights
- Floatplane drop-off into the heart of Wabakimi’s remote wilderness
- Paddling and portaging through wild, untouched landscapes
- Towering waterfalls, rushing rapids, and ancient pictographs
- World class fishing destination
- Opportunities to see a wide variety of wildlife including moose, wolves, caribou, bears, otters, eagles, beaver, and more
- Potential views of the northern lights
- Camping under the stars with no crowds, no roads, and no cell service
- Historical sites, old cabins, and remote fish camps
- Final night at a comfortable lodge with a hot meal and showers
Trip Itinerary
- May 14: Arrive at Wabakimi Outfitters. Enjoy dinner and stories from legendary outdoorsman Bruce Hyer, review gear, finalize routes, and settle in for the night.
- May 15: Early breakfast, gear check, then board a floatplane to our remote drop off location. From here, our adventure begins as we paddle into the heart of Wabakimi.
- May 15-24: A full 10-days of paddling and portaging through vast lakes, rushing rivers, and dense boreal forests. We’ll navigate challenging and often overgrown portages, explore historic sites, and experience the wild beauty of Wabakimi. Expect to encounter remote campsites, rugged landings, and complete solitude. If you're an angler, Wabakimi has some of the best fishing anywhere in the world for delicious walleyes, lake trout, huge northern pike, and even speckled trout, this is an angler’s paradise!
- May 24: Our journey ends at a remote trailhead or railway access point on the southern edge of the park, where we’ll be picked up and transported back to our lodge for a well-earned meal and hot shower.
- May 25: Departure - Optional post-trip visits to Fort William Historical Park, Kakabeka Falls in Thunder Bay, and High Falls at Grand Portage for those with extra time.
Difficulty: Challenging
This is an advanced wilderness canoe expedition with difficult and overgrown portages, unpredictable weather, and no maintained campsites or latrines. This trip is for experienced adventurers in good physical condition, willing to share chores and contribute to the team's success. You should be able to provide sufficient clothing and personal gear items as per a provided gear list. Everyone will be expected to help around camp and on the water, including portaging gear and canoes between waterways for various distances on rough and rugged portage trails. The pace will be challenging at times. Maps are less detailed, landings are rugged, and the lakes can be wind-swept. Expect long days of paddling. We plan to have a couple zero travel days but this will depend on our route and weather conditions. Previous paddling and backcountry camping experience is required. If you’re looking for a remote, challenging, and deeply rewarding adventure, Wabakimi delivers.How Secluded Is Wabakimi?
• Killarney Provincial Park: 26,000 acres and 1.7 million visitors
• Boundary Waters Canoe Area: 1.3 million acres and 250,000 visitors
• Algonquin Provincial Park: 1.9 million acres and 800,000 visitors
• Yellowstone National Park: 2.2 million acres and 1.6 million visitors
• Wind River Range: 2.2 million acres and 900,000 visitors
• Wabakimi Provincial Park: 5 million acres and only 500 visitors!Weather in May
- Average daytime temp is 58F and can get at high as 75F
- Average nighttime temp is 37F and could dip into the teens
- Average rain - 3 inches
- Average sunny days - 3
- Average snowy days - 5
What’s Included?
- High-quality canoes, paddles, and all necessary group equipment
- Top-tier camping gear, tents, and safety equipment
- Delicious backcountry meals throughout the trip
- Transportation within the trip, including floatplane drop-off
- Park fees, permits, licenses, maps, and insurance
- Satellite phone for emergency communication
- Pre-trip orientation and paddling instruction
- Experienced, knowledgeable trip leaders
What’s Not Included?
- Personal gear (a recommended packing list will be provided)
- Transportation to Wabakimi Outfitters
- Passport and Canada fishing license (if applicable)
- Trip/rescue insurance
- Guide gratuities
- Aboriginal cultural experience add-on (optional)
AS ALWAYS >>> A gear list and trip details will be available upon registration via access to the event "Group" page on the website. This group page will serve as a discussion/planning forum for everyone on the trip.
Price: $5,685 - This exclusive rough-cut expedition has only 4 spots available.
>> To secure your spot, please fill out the free register/application on the event webpage. Applications will be reviewed in the order they are received. If selected, you will receive an invoice that can be paid in portions or in full. An RSVP on Meetup will not hold your spot.Secure Your Spot Today! Experience the raw beauty of Wabakimi and challenge yourself on this once-in-a-lifetime expedition. Sign up now to reserve your place on this epic journey into the wild!
If you have any questions, please email us at info@nowoutdoors.org
- 3-Day Guided Backpacking TripIAT Trail Head, Medford, WI$450.00
Escape the busy campgrounds and join us for a more remote experience backpacking on the Ice Age Trail! Our fully guided trips are designed to help you gain more skills, knowledge, and confidence outdoors. Join us for this beautiful 15-mile hike featuring several small lakes and streams along a dense forest trail. We will hike each day and set up a primitive camp off-trail each night. This trip not only gives you that backcountry feel but also offers countless opportunities for real wilderness and backpacking skill development such as hanging bear bags, purifying water, rigging a group tarp if it rains, and fire building! With the help of expert guides, the types of skills gained on our trips not only help develop a deeper connection with nature but they strengthen confidence and general awareness in the outdoors.
NOTE: This trip is great for beginners who are physically fit to walk several miles a day and able to carry a fully loaded backpack weighing 30 pounds or less. Based on miles/terrain, ease of water access, and expected weather conditions we plan to travel less than 8 miles per day at a steady pace. We kick off each day with a delicious breakfast and coffee/tea. Lunch on the trail will be roughly 45 minutes. If you have any reservations about your ability to participate in this trip, please reach out and let us know. We are happy to answer any questions or talk through your concerns. It's common for a beginner to NOT have all of the gear necessary for a trip like this so we're going to make it a little easier for you. Don't worry about food, stoves, pots, pans, or water filters. We have you covered! If you wish to take care of your own meals, that's great too. Just let us know so we can adjust our group meal prep.
Meals are included and here's why: It's not just about planning your meals right for high activity in the woods but also how you plan to cook your meals. You can cook over a fire, on a stove, or in a bag with boiled water. By including meals on this trip, you don't have to make these decisions or purchase a camp stove and fuel or a proper mess kit. That's $100+ in savings right there! A simple plastic Tupperware with a fork, spoon, and cup is all you'll need for this trip. We will have hearty group meals cooked over a fire or prepped on the trail every day. If you have any dietary restrictions, please let us know well in advance so we can make accommodations.
Purified water will be available in camp and on the trail at all times. If you need gear items such as, hammocks, backpacks and more, we have some items available for rent. Quantities of these items are limited so make your rental requests early.
You will have access to the gear list and directions on the "Group page" upon registration.
Price: $450.00 Deadline is May 31st
> Make payments at nowoutdoors.org
> CLICK HERE TO REGISTER
> Spaces are limited and filled in the order payments are received. An RSVP on Meetup will not hold your spot. The trip may fill before the payment deadline.
> Cancelations made within seven days of payment and on or before the payment deadline are eligible for a refund. Other cancelations will be converted to a credit to be used within one year for another Now Outdoors event.Included:
• Friday dinner - Sunday breakfast
• Group gear (tarp, camp kitchen, purified water, etc.)
• Satellite communications
• Expert backpacking guideNot Included: Rental gear available (backpacks, fully outfitted Superior Gear hammocks, mess kits, headlamps, etc.)
• Personal items
• SnacksIf you have any questions, please reach out to us at info@nowoutdoors.org.
- Boundary Waters Canoe AdventureEly, Ely, MN$2,300.00
Embark on a once-in-a-lifetime, exclusive 9-day canoe expedition with NOW Outdoors through the Boundary Waters Canoe Area. This intimate adventure offers a rare opportunity to paddle through pristine waters and remote wilderness. Limited spots are available for this curated experience.
This exclusive weeklong paddle adventure through the Boundary Waters Canoe Area (BWCA) in Northern Minnesota is a true wilderness experience far from any roads. This trip starts in Ely, MN. We will arrive on the evening of June 14th at a designated lodge to go over gear and trip details. Sunday morning, we head out for an early start to our adventure. If you're flying into Duluth, we can arrange a shuttle for you. Lodging is included before and after the trip along with all necessary group gear, amazing food, permit reservation and user fees.
Enjoy 7 full days of paddling expedition style through 45+ miles of pristine lakes and wilderness. We plan for a couple layover days during the trip to relax at camp, practice outdoor skills, fish, etc. The itinerary may change due to weather conditions or group interest. Everyone will paddle tandem canoes, help with portages, set up/take down camp, process firewood, share cooking and cleaning up of meals and any other activity of the day.
Menu items: We believe cliff bars and ramen soup have their place but not on our trips. We love a varied menu that includes delicious meals. A few camp favorites include our famous BBQ pork spaghetti, Rumchata French toast, fruit and yogurt parfait, steak fajitas, and more. We can accommodate some special diets as well. Just let us know how we can help.
Difficulty: Challenging
This trip is not for first-time campers or paddlers. You should be comfortable in a canoe and in the water. You should be able to provide sufficient clothing and personal gear items as per the gear list. Everyone will be expected to help around camp and on the water including portaging gear and canoes between waterways. Expect to carry 50 - 60 pounds of gear or a canoe for short distances on portage trails. The pace will be relaxed at times and challenging at others. Expect to paddle several hours on paddle days and portage over land when necessary. We plan to have 2 zero-travel days for more time to fish, swim, relax, etc.Price: $2,300 This premium adventure is limited to just 6 spots. Register now.
You may pay a $500.00 non-refundable deposit to secure your spot. This deposit will be put towards your final balance due June 1st.Upon registration, you will have access to the event group forum where the gear list, directions, and other important information can be found.
> Payments can be made at nowoutdoors.org CLICK HERE TO REGISTER
> Spaces are limited and are filled in the order payments are received. An RSVP on Meetup will not hold your spot.
> Cancelations made within seven days of payment and on or before the payment deadline are eligible for a refund. Other cancelations will be converted to a credit to be used within one year for another Now Outdoors event.Included:
• Expert guides
• BWCA permits and user fees
• All meals from put-in to take-out
• Purified water in camp and on the go
• Lightweight Wenonah Spirit 2 canoes
• Premium CCS packs with padded backs, waist belts and adjustable straps
• Paddles and PFD's
• Camp kitchen including mess kits
• Group tarp and other misc. items
• Lodging fees the night before put-in and after take-out
• Free parking/shuttle to or from the put-in location from the lodgeNot Included:
• Personal gear items (rental equipment available)
• Fishing licenses
• Transportation to/from the BWCA (we can arrange shuttles if need be)
• Gratuities are always welcome if you've had a great time :)Please send all questions to info@nowoutdoors.org.
- Kilimanjaro Full-Moon Summit Trek: 11-Day Lemosho RouteKilimanjaro International Airport, Tanzania
You're the VIP on this exclusive and curated adventure to Mt. Kilimanjaro's Uhuru Peak! Join NOW Outdoors for this once in a lifetime private guided trek to the highest point in Africa and one of the Seven Summits!
This is the trip you've been waiting for...
This is a premium adventure custom curated by NOW Outdoors with help from our incredible team in Tanzania. This trip has been years in the making and spots are extremely limited. Climbing Kilimanjaro (19,340') is an odyssey that weaves together physical endurance, mental resilience, and awe-inspiring landscapes. Here’s a glimpse into the adventure that awaits:The Call
Imagine standing at the base of Mt. Kilimanjaro, its snow-capped summit piercing the sky. You lace up your boots, adjust your backpack, and take that first step. The journey begins.Diverse Ecosystems
Kilimanjaro isn’t just a mountain, it’s a microcosm of ecosystems. As you ascend, you’ll traverse rainforests, alpine deserts, and glaciers. Each zone reveals unique flora and fauna—the ancient trees of the rainforest, the hardy mosses clinging to volcanic rocks, and the elusive Kilimanjaro tree hyrax.Altitude and Acclimatization
The air thins as you climb. Altitude sickness lurks, but you’ve prepared. “Pole, pole,” the porters say - slowly, slowly. You heed their advice, savoring each breath. Hydration is your ally; water keeps you replenished.The Summit Push
The final ascent to Uhuru Peak is both grueling and exhilarating. Headlamp on, you step into the darkness. Stars twinkle above as the world below fades away. As dawn breaks, you reach the summit, the Roof of Africa. Cheers and emotions mix with the icy wind. You’ve conquered Kilimanjaro.Shared Triumphs
Along the way, you'll bond with fellow trekkers. It’s not a race; it’s a collective endeavor. You swap stories, cheer each other on, and celebrate small victories. The camaraderie is as vital as the summit itself.Perspective Shift
From Uhuru Peak, the world unfolds. The sun rises and unveils a vast expanse of plains and distant horizons. You realize that this journey isn’t just about conquering a peak, it’s about discovering your own resilience, connecting with the world, and embracing the human spirit.Difficulty
To ensure the safety and best experience for all, we're going to be quite selective for this trip. This is a challenging high-altitude adventure for experienced hikers and campers. Kilimanjaro weather can vary quite a bit from tropical storms at lower elevations to blizzard conditions near the summit. Participants must be comfortable camping and hiking in any weather conditions. We expect participants to be well organized, on their A-game, and ready to face every challenge with optimism.AS ALWAYS >>> A gear list and trip details will be available upon registration via access to the event "Group" page on the website. This group page will serve as a discussion/planning forum for everyone on the trip.
Price: $5,400 (final payments are due June 1st)
A $1,000 non-refundable deposit will secure your spot. This deposit will be put towards your final balance.> Payments can be made on the NOW Outdoors website at CLICK HERE TO REGISTER
> Spaces are limited and filled in the order payments are received. An RSVP on Meetup without payment will not hold your spot. The trip may fill before the payment deadline.
> Cancelations made within seven days of payment and on or before the payment deadline are eligible for a refund. Other cancelations will be converted to a credit to be used within one year for another NOW Outdoors event.INCLUDED
- Airport transfers
- Private transportation
- Hotel accommodations (dual occupancy)
- Tents on the trail (dual occupancy)
- Camping equipment
- Expert guides
- Chefs during the trek
- Professional porters
- All meals during the trek
- Drinking water during the trek
NOT INCLUDED
- Tanzania visa, $50
- Single supplement hotel $150
- Laundry service
- International flight
- Meals before and after the trek (breakfast is included with hotel stay)
- Personal gear and clothing (boots, rain gear, warm pants, warm jackets)
- Alcoholic drinks
- Gratuities for our guides and porters
If you have any questions, please feel free to email us at info@nowoutdoors.org.