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
<br>
Upcoming events
2
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-6635640đ Ready for a relaxing fall weekend outdoors? Join CIWC for our Fall Car Camping Weekend at OâBannon Woods SP, Sept 18â20!
Expect hiking (8â10 miles), optional road biking, exploring the pioneer village, and cozy campfire nights with sâmores and singing. Bring your instrument if you want to join in đśđĽ- Trip cost: $50 Adults only, no pets
- Group size: 8 max
- Payment due at signâup
Youâll bring your own meals and transportation; park entry is $7. Weâll 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 20â25, 2026!
Expect moderate terrain, daily mileage of 9â12 miles, river views from high bluffs, and a mix of State Forest, private, and dispersed camping. Youâll 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
Weâll meet near Fife Lake after the 6âhour drive from Indy and begin our 5âday trek north along the river, finishing at the Manistee River Loop trailhead on Sept 25.
Adults only.
Questions: ciwcinfo@gmail.com2 attendees
Past events
404
