About us
Founded in 1982, The Central Indiana Wilderness Club (CIWC) is a non-profit volunteer-run club organized for the purpose of providing affordable wilderness adventures. Based in central Indiana, our activities include backpacking, car camping, hiking, bicycling, canoeing, kayaking, rafting and cross-country skiing. <br>
Each year CIWC conducts trips ranging in length from one to ten days to destinations as diverse as southern Indiana, the Grand Canyon and the Smokey Mountains. We have day events, overnight trips for beginners and extended trips for those with lots of outdoor experience and everything in between. On a CIWC trip you will have the opportunity to explore new places and meet new friends. Our overnight trips are small and friendly, averaging eight people per trip, organized by a CIWC member. Our membership includes members who vary widely in age, experience and ability. <br>
We are a teaching club so we can allow you to learn at your own pace. We have formal classes and workshops and can loan gear (i.e. tents and backpacks) to help you on your first few trips.
Being on Meetup is not the same as full membership. Meetup does allow you to participate in most day events, but not in our traditional overnight trips. To become a dues-paying member take the link below to our main web site.
Membership fees are $35 per year for individuals and $50 for families. Membership brings you the Trail Mix, our quarterly newsletter which allows you to preview and sign-up for trips before they are posted on the website. Membership also enables you to get the latest information about new trips via email via email updates. Go to https://ciwclub.org and click on JOIN and then scroll down to select Membership Level (Single or Family).
Questions: ciwcinfo@gmail.com
Main Website: ciwclub.org
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Upcoming events
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CIWC Fall Car Camping Weekend, O'Bannon Woods State Park
Location not specified yet**REGISTRATION REQUIRED AT LINK BELOW. MEETUP REGISTRATION IS NOT BEING MONITORED.**
To learn more and register, follow link: https://ciwc.wildapricot.org/event-6635640š Ready for a relaxing fall weekend outdoors? Join CIWC for our Fall Car Camping Weekend at OāBannon Woods SP, Sept 18ā20!
Expect hiking (8ā10 miles), optional road biking, exploring the pioneer village, and cozy campfire nights with sāmores and singing. Bring your instrument if you want to join in š¶š„- Trip cost: $50 Adults only, no pets
- Group size: 8 max
- Payment due at signāup
Youāll bring your own meals and transportation; park entry is $7. Weāll meet at campsite #189 Friday evening.
Please note, Meetup start and end times are relative. More details available from trip leads.
Questions: ciwcinfo@gmail.com2 attendees
North Country Trail (NCT) Backpacking, Northern Lower Peninsula, Manistee, MI
North Country Trail, See registration link for details, Manistee, MI, US*PLEASE REGISTER AT LINK BELOW. REGISTRATION VIA MEETUP IS NOT BEING TRACKED.
Registration Link: https://ciwc.wildapricot.org/event-6503887Ready for a big fall adventure? Join CIWC for 5 days on the North Country Trail along the stunning Manistee River, Sept 20ā25, 2026!
Expect moderate terrain, daily mileage of 9ā12 miles, river views from high bluffs, and a mix of State Forest, private, and dispersed camping. Youāll even earn 50 miles toward the NCT Hike 100 Challenge- Trip Cost: $55
- Difficulty: Moderate (Level 3 backpacking)
- Carpooling help available
- Meals on your own
- Cell coverage likely for much of the route
- Overnight backpacking experience required
Weāll meet near Fife Lake after the 6āhour drive from Indy and begin our 5āday trek north along the river, finishing at the Manistee River Loop trailhead on Sept 25.
Adults only.
Questions: ciwcinfo@gmail.com2 attendees
CIWC September Club Public Meeting - Nature Photography for the Trail
Holliday Park, 6363 Spring Mill Road, Indianapolis, IN, USšø CIWC 2026 September Club Public Meeting & Social - Nature Photography for the Trail
Registration Link: https://ciwclub.org/event-6503600
Join us on Wednesday, September 23rd at 6:30 for the things that make the biggest difference in nature photography, minus the deep technical rabbit holes. How to read the light you've been given and pick a subject to match it. Why an overcast morning beats a bright afternoon for creeks, waterfalls, and wildflowers. How to spot the cluttered background that's about to ruin an otherwise good shot. How to get closer to wildlife without stressing the animal. And a few habits that separate photographers who keep getting better from the ones who plateau.
Whatever camera you already own is enough. We'll keep things practical, so newer photographers won't get lost and experienced ones will still leave with something to try on the next hike. Bring your camera, your questions, and a few shots you're not happy with ā those usually make the best teaching examples.
Please RSVP (register) to help us anticipate turnout.ā ļø Do NOT RSVP on Meetup.
Please register on the CIWC website so we can anticipate and track attendance.4 attendees
Volunteer day 1 of 2 Holliday Park, October 17th
Holliday Park, 6363 Spring Mill Road, Indianapolis, IN, USš³ CIWC Volunteer Day at Holliday Park ā October 17th
As a thankāyou for Holliday Parkās support, weāre giving back with volunteer hours. Wear work clothesāweāll be outdoors helping set up pumpkin luminaries for the parkās Halloween event. We like to end the event with a catch up over lunch in Broad Ripple. Registration Link: https://ciwclub.org/event-6503616We'll have a second volunteer day picking up the luminaries on October 25th. Sign up for one or both! Registration Link: https://ciwclub.org/event-6503620]
ā ļø Do NOT RSVP on Meetup.
Please register on the CIWC website so we can anticipate and track attendance.2 attendees
Past events
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