What we’re about
Destination Backcountry is a wilderness guide service founded in 2011 and operated by outdoor professionals who have dedicated their lives to sharing their passion for wild places with others. We all love the woods in different ways, from thru-hikers to canoe experts and deep wilderness explorers, but what we love most is teaching and helping everyone find the same joy in the outdoors that we have.
If you see a trip you'd like to join, please follow the link listed in that trip's description and sign up on our website. You will then receive an email with all of the trip details.
Follow along with our adventures on Instagram @destinationbackcountry and sign up for our email newsletter to receive updates on upcoming adventures and discounts.
Upcoming events (4+)
See all- Secret Swimming Holes (8/9) Easy HikeCatskill Mountains, Catskill Mtns, NY
BOOK HERE: https://destinationbackcountryadventures.com/products/secret-swimming-holes-in-the-catskills
### Beat the heat with a short hike + dip in a backcountry swimming hole!
Escape to our favorite secret swimming holes nestled deep in the valleys of the Catskills on this relaxing day in the forest. With plenty of time to stop for berries and admire flowers along the way, we'll hike through stunning forest to pristine swimming holes in a major river valley on the edge of an old growth forest. This brisk hike over level trail is a great way to get some exercise in the Catskills without having to summit a peak and is one of our favorite adventures every year. Most of the easily accessible swimming hole in the Catskill has been discovered and overrun, so we will ask you to please keep the location and destination of this hike a secret.
### Hike stats
🥾 3-6 mile hike on gentle terrain
⛰️ Minimal elevation gain
🧭 Difficulty: Easy, with hiking on well-graded trails. Some minor inclines### The Destination Backcountry Difference
Why hike with us? Expert guides. Founded in 2011, our NY State-licensed guides are not merely hike leaders, they are ambassadors for the outdoors, dedicated to sharing their passion for nature with others.
A FULL day of adventure: Our all-inclusive day escapes include transportation, meals, and a full day of hiking and adventure. Make your escape upstate worth every minute!
On this trail, our guides will share:
🥾 On this gentle hike, everyone hikes at their own pace with plenty of time to take pictures and just experience the gorgeous natural surroundings
🫧 A dip in a backcountry swimming hole off-the-beaten path offers the perfect combination of relaxation and adventure### What's Included?
🚐 Transportation to and from NYC
☕ Breakfast: Your adventure includes a breakfast of fresh fruit and donuts and a selection of coffee and tea for the drive to the trailhead
🧀 Lunch: We will provide a healthy, gourmet lunch and snacks during our adventure. We offer vegetarian and vegan options, and we’re happy to accommodate any dietary and allergy needs.
🌄 On trail guidance from an expert NYS licensed guide### Schedule
6:30 Brooklyn Pickup near Barclays
7:00 Manhattan Pickup at Grand Central
~8:30 Rest Stop
~9:45 Arrival at Trailhead + hike to swimming hole
~12:30 Lunch
~1:30 Hike out
~3:30 Van returns to the city
~4:30 Rest stop
~7:00 Manhattan Drop Off
~7:30 Brooklyn Drop Off*All times are estimates. We adjust every adventure to the pace and needs of the group. Travel time are subject to many factors, including weather and traffic.
### What Do I Need to Bring With Me?
Must have
💧 2, 1-liter water bottles
🎽 Wear: Comfortable, breathable clothes. Standard workout clothes are great for hiking
🥾 Footwear: Sturdy sneakers, trail runners, or hiking boots. We’ll let you know well in advance if conditions call for special footwear.
🧣A few extra layers of clothes for breaks
Good to have
🌧️ Rain shell
🕶️ Sunglasses
🧢 HatBOOK HERE: https://destinationbackcountryadventures.com/products/secret-swimming-holes-in-the-catskills
- Wild Berry Picking + Brewery Tour (8/16)Minnewaska state park lower parking, New York, NY
BOOK HERE: https://destinationbackcountryadventures.com/products/wild-berry-picking-brewery-tour-hudson-valley
### Join resident beer enthusiast Brad Winer on a Berry Picking and Brewery Day Adventure
Join expert licensed backcountry guide and beer expert Brad Winer on a fun-filled day in the woods and visiting local breweries in the Hudson Valley. We'll start with a short hike in Minnewaska State Park with a stop at our favorite patches to pick wild blueberries, huckleberries, blackberries, and raspberries.
After our hike, we'll visit two special breweries in the area: Rough Cut Brewing, one of the newest breweries in the Hudson Valley, and Gardiner Brewing Company.
Beer and food are at each participant's own expense.### Hike stats
🥾 3-5 mile hike
⛰️ Minimal elevation gain
🧭 Moderate: This hike is on trail over gentle or moderate terrain.### The Destination Backcountry Difference
Why hike with us? Expert guides. Founded in 2011, our NY State-licensed guides are not merely hike leaders, they are ambassadors for the outdoors, dedicated to sharing their passion for nature with others.
A FULL day of adventure: Our all-inclusive day escapes include transportation, meals, and a full day of hiking and adventure. Make your escape upstate worth every minute!
On this trail, our guides will share:
🫐 Vine-fresh wild berries!
🍻 Local brewery tour and beer tasting
What's Included?
🚐 Transportation to and from NYC
☕ Breakfast: Your adventure includes a breakfast of fresh fruit and donuts and a selection of coffee and tea for the drive to the trailhead
🧀 Lunch: We will provide a healthy, gourmet lunch and snacks during our adventure. We offer vegetarian and vegan options, and we’re happy to accommodate any dietary and allergy needs.
🌄 On trail guidance from an expert NYS licensed guide### Schedule
6:30 Brooklyn Pickup near Barclays
7:00 Manhattan Pickup at Grand Central
~8:30 Rest Stop
~9:00 Arrival at Trailhead + hike and berry picking
~12:00 Lunch
~1:00 Hike out
~1:30 Brewery visits
~3:30 Van returns to the city
~4:30 Rest stop
~7:00 Manhattan Drop Off
~7:30 Brooklyn Drop Off*All times are estimates. We adjust every adventure to the pace and needs of the group. Travel time are subject to many factors, including weather and traffic.
### What Do I Need to Bring With Me?
Must have
💧 2, 1-liter water bottles
🎽 Wear: Comfortable, breathable clothes. Standard workout clothes are great for hiking
🥾 Footwear: Sturdy sneakers, trail runners, or hiking boots. We’ll let you know well in advance if conditions call for special footwear.
🧣A few extra layers of clothes for breaks
Good to have
🌧️ Rain shell
🕶️ Sunglasses
🧢 HatBOOK HERE: https://destinationbackcountryadventures.com/products/wild-berry-picking-brewery-tour-hudson-valley
- Indian Head and Twin (8/23) Catskills 3500Catskill Mountains, Catskill Mtns, NY
BOOK HERE: https://destinationbackcountryadventures.com/products/indian-head-and-twin-day-hike
### Two incredible Catskill mountains in one fantastic day hike
A great first taste of the Devil’s Path, this day hike takes us to the summit of the first two peaks on the eastern side of the Devil's Path, Indian Head and Twin. This challenging hike is filled with scrambles, steep climbs, and absolutely stunning trails, leading to multiple excellent viewpoints.
### Hike stats
🥾 ~6.9 miles from Prediger Road, up Jimmy Dolan Notch, to Indian Head Mountain and then to Twin Mountain
⛰️ About 2100ft elevation gain
🧭 Difficulty: Hard. This is a challenging hike### The Destination Backcountry Difference
Why hike with us? Expert guides. Founded in 2011, our NY State-licensed guides are not merely hike leaders, they are ambassadors for the outdoors, dedicated to sharing their passion for nature with others.
A FULL day of adventure: Our all-inclusive day escapes include transportation, meals, and a full day of hiking and adventure. Make your escape upstate worth every minute!
On this trail, our guides will share:
🌿 An absolutely stunning trail with many gorgeous viewpoints
🥾 Take on a challenging hike with confidence with guidance from an expert backcountry guide
🌲 Incredible observations about the forest and wildlife we may encounter.### What's Included?
🚐 Transportation to and from NYC
☕ Breakfast: Your adventure includes a breakfast of fresh fruit and donuts and a selection of coffee and tea for the drive to the trailhead
🧀 Lunch: We will provide a healthy, gourmet lunch and snacks during our adventure. We offer vegetarian and vegan options, and we’re happy to accommodate any dietary and allergy needs.
🌄 On trail guidance from an expert NYS licensed guide### Schedule
6:30 Brooklyn Pickup near Barclays
7:00 Manhattan Pickup at Grand Central
~8:30 Rest Stop
~9:45 Arrival at Trailhead + Hike
~12:30 Lunch at Summit of Indian Head or Twin
~1:00 Hike to second peak, then hike out
~3:30 Van returns to the city
~4:30 Rest stop
~7:00 Manhattan Drop Off
~7:30 Brooklyn Drop Off*All times are estimates. We adjust every adventure to the pace and needs of the group. Travel time are subject to many factors, including weather and traffic.
### What Do I Need to Bring With Me?
Must have
💧 2, 1-liter water bottles
🎽 Wear: Comfortable, breathable clothes. Standard workout clothes are great for hiking
🥾 Footwear: Sturdy sneakers, trail runners, or hiking boots. We’ll let you know well in advance if conditions call for special footwear.
🧣A few extra layers of clothes for breaks
Good to have
🌧️ Rain shell
🕶️ Sunglasses
🧢 HatBOOK HERE: https://destinationbackcountryadventures.com/products/indian-head-and-twin-day-hike
