About us
Chicago Backpackers is a club for those interested in wilderness backpacking - hiking self-sustained for consecutive days in a wilderness area carrying all necessary supplies in a backpack.
We have three main areas of focus:
*Trip and event organization*
The group's volunteer organizers plan a variety of trips throughout the year, from one-night beginners-only trips up to week-long advanced trips. Individual organizers choose the location, plan the route, and take care of other trip logistics. Members are solely responsible for their own gear, their own food, general well-being, and communicating with the organizer to ensure that they fully understand risks and challenges and are prepared for the activity.
*Backpacking education*
The club shares knowledge about backpacking: We do this through trips, clinics, and online presentations that provide opportunities for all members, old and new, to continually improve their skills and learn from one another.
*Backpacker community*
By going on trips, attending events, and frequenting the various online message boards, members are encouraged to connect with other backpackers who share similar interests. Members can also plan their own trips and ask questions using the Meetup Discussions page to further connect with other members.
We follow several organizing principles:
*Practice low-impact, Leave No Trace backpacking.*
(http://www.lnt.org/programs/principles.php). Our trips usually consist of 6 to 12 people to minimize the impact we have on our favorite locations and new trails, to keep them as fresh as possible for ourselves and other backpackers.
*Work together on the trail.*
The organizers and event hosts volunteer their time and experience to make our trips as safe and smooth as possible, but we can’t do everything ourselves. In addition to preparing and carrying your own gear and food, lend a hand, volunteer to get water, gather firewood, etc. If you have any concerns or are having a difficult time on the trail, speak up. Clear communication makes it safer and more enjoyable for everyone.
*Be safe, be sensible*
Safety is everyone’s responsibility, not just the organizer. Do not endanger yourself and others. Keep in mind that backpacking is an intense cardiovascular activity that may involve a variety of potential health and safety risks, and is subject to unexpected weather, trail conditions, animal encounters, etc. While organizers and other trip participants may help to facilitate trip planning and logistics, each trip participant must know their own capabilities and is solely responsible for their own safety. Withdraw from trips and situations where you may feel unsafe or unprepared.
*Be respectful and inclusive*
Treat others with respect and tolerance. Avoid bullying, sexism, racism, or bigotry of any type. If your words or actions unintentionally offend others, take responsibility and make the appropriate apology.
*Communicate with event organizers prior to the trip*
Until we get on the trail, most of the information we have to give you is written down in trip descriptions, emails, and announcements. Pay attention, or you will miss valuable information which could lead to a poor experience on the trail. If you have questions, please ask. You are required to confirm your understanding of trip logistics and sign a Release of Liability form which will be provided electronically prior to the trip. Members who fail to complete these steps, or who do not respond promptly, may lose their reservation on the trip.
*Gear sharing, ride sharing*
Each participant is responsible for obtaining and carrying their own meals and gear and getting themselves to and from the trailhead. Anyone interested in gear sharing (water filter, stoves, etc.) is encouraged to post trip comments on Meetup.com. The same is true for ride sharing (offering a ride, asking for a ride). This is purely optional and not something managed by the club or its organizers.
*Use of meetup.com.*
Virtual and local events are open to all members and their guests. Overnight events require an RSVP on meetup.com. If a trip is full, post a comment to reserve your place on the waitlist. Message the organizer with any questions. Attendees must be at least 18 years old and individually registered (no +1s). Prior to participation, attendees are required to communicate with event organizers, confirm their understanding of trip expectations/logistics and sign a Release of Liability form. Members who fail to complete these steps, or who do not respond promptly, may lose their reservation on the trip.
We have a variety of ways to participate:
Follow us online on Meetup.com. Review our upcoming or prior trips (Under Events link). Post comments on the trip descriptions themselves. Engage with other members by posting comments in the Discussion area. Direct message organizers if you have any questions.
Attend a local event in the Chicago area. Over the years we’ve offered work days for local habitat restoration, seminars or clinics, training hikes, and purely social events. These events are a great way to meet like-minded people, learn something new, and build our local backpacker community.
Join us on an overnight event. In typical years we host overnight trips, ranging from single night beginner trips to multi-day advanced trips, and most anything in between. Geographically, the majority of trips are within a 6-hour drive from Chicago, and typical events are 1-3 nights in duration. Trips vary greatly, based on terrain, mileage, hiking pace, weather, park conditions and degree of experience required. Always read the individual trip descriptions for more details. The vast majority of our overnight trips are backpacking, but we may also post a car camping trip in the winter season, or include a boating component along with a backpacking route.
At any time, message one of our organizers or post questions to the Discussion Area.
Upcoming events
4
Introductory Backpacking Trip at Forest Glen Preserve
Forest Glen Preserve, 20301 900 North Rd, Westville, IL, USTrip registration opens: May 15, 2026 7:00 AM CT
Trip registration closes: June 15, 2026 6:00 PM CTBefore You Sign Up: Please note that this is the Father's Day weekend.
Trip Summary (aka tl;dr):
- Mileage: 11 miles loop trail (Day 1: 8 miles, Day 2: 3 miles)
- Terrain/conditions: moderate (the trail goes up and down ravines of no more than 75 feet of inclines)
- Duration: 2 days / 1 night
- Location Details: River Ridge Trail (11 miles)
Please read the entire description and any linked information before signing up.
Requirements:
This is a trip geared towards beginner backpackers (welcome!). You can expect to hike and carry in all of the items needed for an overnight stay in the backcountry. Please don't hesitate to ask questions about gear - it's a topic we love to talk about.Consider these questions and ask yourself if you are prepared.
Details on Gear and Food Needs
Read this document: Intro Trip Gear and Food NeedsPre-trip Meeting and Communications
Email is our primary form of communication for this trip. Please be responsive to emails to assist us with planning. Please respond to organizer emails in a timely manner or risk forfeiting your spot on the trip. Participation is at the discretion of the organizer.We will hold a virtual orientation session approximately 2 weeks prior to the trip. This is a great opportunity to ask any lingering questions about what gear to bring (or buy - we love to help people spend their money), food to eat, why the caged bird sings, whether you should leave your 12 pound cast iron skillet at home, and more.
Trip Itinerary
It's imperative to be on time as being late impacts the group. If you are going to be more than 15 minutes late, contact the trip organizer.Saturday, June 20
- Leave home early AM to arrive at Forest Glen Preserve by 9:00 AM (typically a 3 hour drive from downtown Chicago)
- We'll have introductions, a short presentation and gear check, and then hit the trail
- Hike approx. 7-8 miles to back-country camp over hilly single-track trail.
Sunday, June 21
- Hike approx. 3 miles back to cars, estimated finish time of noon.
- Drive back home.
Cool Stuff to Know:
- Wildlife is plentiful and we'll likely see lots of deer and other furry forest critters. So make sure your phone is fully charged and you have storage space for all the photos you'll take.
- The last Bigfoot sighting in Central Illinois was reported on October 5, 2024 (according to the Bigfoot Field Research Organization, a postal worker reported seeing a hairy creature walking along the road). It's possible he was holding a can of IPA, which means more than likely it was just a chef at one of the local farm-to-table restaurants.
- According to folklore, "River Ridge Trail" is actually an English name given to a trail that is on a ridge that runs along the river.
- "My wish is to stay always like this, living quietly in a corner of nature." - Claude Monet
Map of the area:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1gP2MekCJHFHXEhmXdPWEl70OSztY0nLD/view?usp=sharinghttps://vccd.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/FG-Backpack-Trail.pdf
Weather
Be prepared for overnight temperatures as low as 50 degrees and the possibility for rain (but hope for nicer weather)Costs
$5 fee per person payable in cash to the organizer at the parking lot to cover the Forest Glen camping fee (unfortunately, paying in chickens is not available for this trip).Review the club guidelines posted here.
Review Club GuidelinesAcknowledgment
As a member of the Chicago Backpackers Group, by registering (RSVPing) for this event, you accept that Hiking & Backpacking can be a dangerous sport and fully assume all risks associated with such participation, including travel to and from the event. You agree to be responsible for your own safety and equipment. You realize that conditions, obstacles, and weather are always changing, and your personal safety cannot be guaranteed. You understand the Meetup.com Terms of Service agreement that you signed when you joined Meetup (link below) and accept that participation is at your own risk. You agree to communicate with event organizers to plan for the trip and sign the Release of Liability provided by the organizers prior to participation.Review the Meetup.com Terms of Service
https://www.meetup.com/terms/Waiver:
You will be required to sign and complete a “Release of Liability, Assumption of Risk, and Indemnification Agreement” before attending. We will send you a link to a digital copy to sign before the trip start date. Here is a read-only link to the release to review prior to joining.Questions?
If you have questions or concerns contact one of the organizers. We are happy to discuss trip details and answer any questions.- Rob and Kevin
10 attendees
Kettle Moraine Southern Unit
Location not specified yetStatus: RSVPs to open April 26 at noon CT
Trip Summary:
- Mileage: Moderate
- Terrain/conditions: Moderate
- Distance: 19 miles
- Location: Kettle Moraine Southern Unit, Whitewater WI
- Capacity: 10 people total
This trip will hike south through the Blue Spring Lake, Blackhawk, and Whitewater segments of the Ice Age Trail in the Kettle Moraine State Forest Southern Unit. We will spend one night car camping and one night backcountry camping. You can view trail maps and Ice Age hiking guide here: https://dnr.wisconsin.gov/topic/parks/kms/maps.
Requirements: This is a trip for intermediate backpackers, or beginners who have appropriate experience to hike and camp without assistance. If you have not completed an overnight trip with our group, please direct message the organizer to introduce yourself. Review the club guidelines posted here: https://www.meetup.com/Chicago-Backpackers/.
Meetup messaging is unreliable, and we use email for pre-trip communications. You will be asked to enter your email when you RSVP. Respond to organizer emails in a timely manner or risk forfeiting your spot on the trip. Participation is at the discretion of the organizer. DO NOT RSVP UNLESS YOU FULLY INTEND TO PARTICIPATE AND HAVE ARRANGED FOR TIME OFF FROM WORK, ETC. Cancellations and non-responders require the organizers to take additional time to contact and confirm waiting list participants to fill the spots.
About the Trip:
This backpack will be a moderate hike along the Ice Age Trail in the Kettle Moraine State Forest Southern Unit, approximately 2 hours northeast of Chicago.The trail consists mostly of packed dirt along rolling terrain. There are hills throughout, mostly under 25’ gain. While we will take breaks throughout the day, you should be in good physical shape so that the group can stay together and have a positive experience. We will camp at KMSF-Southern Unit backpack site #3 on Saturday night.
Water access:
- On Saturday, we can refill using faucets at Horserider’s camp, about 3.5 miles into the day. We can also cache water near our Saturday night campsite in advance.
- On Sunday, we can refill with cached water, and there is a spot to filter water about 3 miles into the day (Lake LaGrange).
Gear: this is a self-supported trip, meaning each participant should provide their own backpacking gear as though this were a solo trip. Participants are encouraged to bring their own stove and fuel, but the organizers can share theirs with participants who do not have these items.
Itinerary:
You can view a trail and campground map on the Kettle Moraine Southern Unit website here. We will be following the Ice Age Trail.Friday June 26, evening:
- Meet at Hickory Woods group camp for overnight car camp. (This is near the Whitewater Lake Campground.) You can use the following Google Maps plus code: Q8R5+MH Whitewater, Wisconsin; or the GPS coordinates: 42.8336205° N + -88.7323272° W.
Saturday June 27:
- 6:30 am - 7:30 am: Breakfast
- 7:30 am - 8:00 am: Break camp
- 8:00 am - 9:00 am: Leave some cars at Whitewater Lake as this will be the end point. Shuttle cars to start at Emma Carlin Trailhead (approximately 20 minutes). If needed, leave one car with water near Duffin Road, 0.2 miles from Shetler #3.
- 9:00 am - 9:15 am: Trail briefing, review backpacking etiquette, and Leave No Trace principles.
- 9:15 am - 3:00 pm: Hike the Ice Age Trail south 9.6 miles, though Blue Spring Lake and Blackhawk segment. Take breaks throughout the day, including a lunch break.
- 3:00 pm: make camp at Shelter #3. Gather firewood, eat dinner, and share camaraderie.
Sunday June 28:
- 6:30 am - 7:30 am: Breakfast
- 7:30 am - 8:00 am: Break camp
- 8:00 am - 1:00 pm: hike south on IAT 9.1 miles to Whitewater Lake, including breaks.
- 1:00 pm - TBD: can go for a swim in Whitewater Lake to cool off. Can have picnic lunch at Whitewater Lake or go into town of Whitewater for lunch. Shuttle drivers back to Emma Carlin for their cars.
Transportation: trip organizers do not arrange carpools, which are optional, but we do encourage carpooling. Once the participant list is set, the Organizer will send out an email and share contact info with permission for those who wish to participate in carpooling. Each car should make its own arrangements for gas and WI State Park Vehicle Admission Pass. More information on vehicle pass here.
Costs: camping costs will be divided evenly among the participants and organizers. Approximately $12/person.
Acknowledgement: As a member of the Chicago Backpackers Group, by registering (RSVPing) for this event, you accept that Hiking & Backpacking can be a dangerous sport and fully assume all risks associated with such participation, including travel to and from the event. You agree to be responsible for your own safety and equipment. You realize that conditions, obstacles, and weather are always changing, and your personal safety cannot be guaranteed. You understand the Meetup.com Terms of Service agreement which you signed when you joined Meetup (link below) and accept that participation is at your own risk. You agree to communicate with event organizers to plan for the trip and sign the Release of Liability provided by the organizers prior to participation.
Click here to review the Meetup.com Terms of Service.
(https://www.meetup.com/terms/)Prior to the weekend, you will be emailed a waiver form that must be signed and returned before the trip. Again, please ensure that you provide an email address that you actively use
We’re looking forward to seeing you out on the trail!
Erika A. and Nathan B.
10 attendees
Yellow River State Forest (Iowa) Advanced Beginner/Intermediate trip
Yellow River State Forest, 729 State Forest Road, Harpers Ferry, IA, USStatus: Registration begins 9/4/2026 at noon.
Trip Summary:
Mileage: Moderate
Terrain/conditions: Moderate
Duration: 14 miles
Location Details / Map : Harpers Ferry, IowaRequirements:
This is a trip for experienced backpackers, or beginners in good physical shape, in possession of decent backpacking gear, and a couple backpacking trips under their belt. If you have not completed an overnight trip with our meetup, direct message the organizer to introduce yourself. Review the club guidelines posted here. https://www.meetup.com/Chicago-Backpackers/Meetup messaging is unreliable, and we use email for pre-trip communications. You will be asked to enter your email when you RSVP. Respond to organizer emails in a timely manner or risk forfeiting your spot on the trip. Participation is at the discretion of the organizer. DO NOT RSVP UNLESS YOU FULLY INTEND TO PARTICIPATE AND HAVE ARRANGED FOR TIME OFF FROM WORK ETC. Cancellations and non-responders require the organizers to take additional time to contact and find participants to fill the spots.
About the Trip
This backpack will be a moderate to vigorous hike through a hilly trail area in eastern Iowa, two-hours west of Madison WI, near the bluffs of the Mississippi River. The Paint Creek Backpacking loop is about 14 miles and will be conducted over two days. Trail map:
https://www.iowadnr.gov/media/442/download?inlineThe trail will be mostly comprised of packed dirt and rock, with several stretches on gravel road to complete the loop. There are five significant hills, varying from 100-feet to 400-feet of elevation gain, that backpackers will need to traverse. Several of these hills can be considered STRENUOUS for Chicagoland flatlanders. While the breaks will be called for throughout the day, participants will need to be in good
physical shape so that the group can stay together and have a positive experience. Given the lengthy drive back on Sunday, the mileage will be frontloaded so that most occurs on Saturday, with less on Sunday. A side trip to nearby Effigy Mounds National Monument can be easily done on the way there or back.Gear: this outing will be a self-contained trip, meaning each participant shall provide their own backpacking gear, food, etc as though this was a solo trip. Participants are encouraged to bring this own stove, fuel, and water filter, but organizers will share theirs with participants who do not have these items.
This is not a trip to bring pets on, however legitimate trained service dogs will be allowed at the discretion of the trip organizers. If the dog does not behave appropriately Friday evening or along the trail, the participant and dog will be asked to leave the group. Please contact the organizers in advance.
Itinerary
Friday evening:
Meet at Big Paint Campground for an overnight car camp. Dinner on your own prior to arrival.Saturday:
7:30-8:30: Breakfast
8:30-9:00: Break camp.
9:00-9:15: Move cars to designated parking lot nearby.
9:15-9:30: Trail briefing and review backpacking etiquette and LEAVE NO TRACE principles.
9:30-3:00: Hike the Paint Creek Unit Backpacking Trail clockwise for approximately 10.5 miles to Brown’s Hollow Camp, including breaks.
3:00: Make camp, filter water, gather firewood, eat dinner, and share camaraderie.Sunday:
7:00-8:00: Breakfast
8:00-8:30: Break camp.
8:30-11:00: On the trail, hike approximately 3.5 miles to trailhead near Big Paint Campground, including breaks.
11:00: Return home.Transportation:
Trip organizers do not arrange carpools, which is optional, but we do encourage carpooling. Once the participants list is set, the Organizer will solicit those willing to drive or seeking a ride and share contact info for those who wish to participate in carpooling. Confirm your travel arrangements before you RSVP for the trip. Each car should make its own gas reimbursement arrangements.Costs:
Camping fees ($10/person) for the trip will be collected by organizers. This will cover the campground cost and Friday night firewood.Acknowledgement:
As a member of the Chicago Backpackers Group, by registering (RSVPing) for this event, you accept that Hiking & Backpacking can be a dangerous sport and fully assume all risks associated with such participation, including travel to and from the event. You agree to be responsible for your own safety and equipment. You realize that conditions, obstacles, and weather are always changing, and your personal safety cannot be guaranteed. You understand the Meetup.com Terms of Service agreement which you signed when you joined Meetup (link below) and accept that participation is at your own risk. You agree to communicate with event organizers to plan for the trip and sign the Release of Liability provided by the organizers prior to participation.Click here to review the Meetup.com Terms of Service.
(https://www.meetup.com/terms/)Click here to view the club standard Release of Liability form:
https://docuseal.com/d/YgT1EncnVDYiAX
Erik Sander
1 attendee
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