
What we’re about
Welcome to the Great Outdoors Adventures Travel Group! This group was created in 2016 for like-minded people and active adults who enjoy the beauty and wonder of nature and adventure travel in the great outdoors. Check out our calendar of events page to see what new adventure travel and special events we have coming up here in 2025 & 2026. Our group adventure travels include single and multi-day trips, here in the U.S. and internationally. Our outdoors activities and events include hiking, rafting/kayaking, diving & snorkeling as well as other special events including an online “Discover & Explore” virtual travel series with expert guest speakers.
I hope you will come out and join us on one of our amazing adventure travels and special events, and enjoy a whole lot of fun, friendship and camaraderie through the exciting discovery and exploration of the beauty, majesty and wonder of the great outdoors! Cheers! 😎 Laura Halik, Administrator, Group Organizer
Follow us on our Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/thegreatoutdoorsadventures
Or join us in our group on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/groups/1638129706438217/
Follow our You Tube Channel at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCXSmDumi9zPdwG_PWBZHPGQ
Stay in touch with us and receive news updates and announcements of new and upcoming travel and events, as well as information on new travel destinations and adventures. Join our email list at https://mailchi.mp/7cb28f797c63/great-outdoors-adventures-travel-email-list
GROUP TRAVEL & EVENTS POLICIES & GUIDELINES:
· Please be courteous and treat organizer(s) and all members with kindness, courtesy, and respect at all times. Come to participate positively and responsibly. Contribute constructively to all trips and events and respect the laws & customs of the host country on international travel. No soliciting, criticisms, gossip, or discussions of politics.
· Members are welcome to post within the group’s discussion area online to share travel and adventure related information.
· There is zero tolerance for harassment, bullying, offensive, confrontational and/or otherwise unacceptable conduct or behavior towards the group organizer or any member during any trips or events. Non-compliance will result in the member’s removal from the group and all future trips and events. Should you have a conflict with another group member, please take it privately to resolve it in a constructive manner. If you are unable to resolve it privately, please let your organizer(s) or event host(s) know.
· You must be a member of the group to attend any trip or event. Guests of group members are always welcome. All guests must comply with the policies and standards of conduct of the group. Group members are responsible for their guests.
· All attendees must be RSVP’d in advance for a trip or event and plan to participate in the trip’s primary activity or activities with the group. No exceptions.
· Please be sure to read through the trip and event descriptions, which include all the details and logistics to attend. If you have any questions about the trip or event, please contact the organizer.
· Please follow the advisement and direction of the group organizer. There are many hours of time and work in the research and planning to ensure that all trips and events are well-planned and organized and are a safe and enjoyable experience for everyone.
Multi-Day Domestic & International Travel Events:
-All deposits, payments, cancellations, and refunds will be subject to the policies of the outfitter, dive operator, resort, or cruise line.
-A valid passport or passport card good for at least 6 months is required for international travel.
-All international travel events will abide by the host country’s laws, customs and regulations.
-“Partying”, or otherwise excessive alcohol drinking & disorderly conduct and behavior is not acceptable on any trips whether foreign or domestic.
Single Day Hiking Events:
-Please be sure to read the event description and if you have any questions about the difficulty and experience level advised for a particular hike, please contact the organizer. You are responsible for yourself so please ask questions regarding any concerns you might have, prior to attending the hike.
-Group Pace: On the hiking adventures, we do not trail run. So, if you average 3+ mph, you may be ahead of the group. If you hike 2 mph or slower, you may be behind the group. Hike at the pace which is most comfortable for you but please note you are responsible for yourself should you lose the group and are not familiar with the route. Highly advise to research the hike before you come by reviewing the websites and logistics information that’s provided and come prepared.
-If you are RSVP’d for a single day trip or event, we are looking forward to your coming. If you are running late to the meet up location, just let us know and we will wait for you. However, if you cannot make it, please let us know by updating your status to NOT GOING. “No Shows” will be flagged and may be removed from future day hikes and events.
-Please be sure to help minimize your impact on the environment by packing it in and packing it out and reducing plastics in our oceans & seas by using refillable water bottles and ocean reef-safe sun protection while on trips and events.
Through the Great Outdoors Adventures Travel Group, it is my hope that you will find a whole lot of fun, friendships, and camaraderie, and the inspiration to get out and travel, and live life now to its fullest through the amazing discovery and exploration of the beauty and wonder of nature and adventure travel in the great outdoors! 😊
Upcoming events
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GREAT OUTDOORS DOLLY STEAMBOAT CHRISTMAS PARTY CRUISE
Dolly Steamboat, 16802 AZ 88, Tortilla Flat, AZ, USHey everyone!
You are cordially invited to the Great Outdoors Annual Christmas Party Scenic Dinner Cruise on the Dolly Steamboat on Canyon Lake, Arizona! Join us for this year’s holiday celebration which is going to be a great evening and festive cruise aboard the famous Dolly Steamboat on the scenic Canyon Lake including a full course dinner and followed by a Holiday raffle and Christmas gift exchange afterwards!
The Great Outdoors annual holiday parties are always a ton of fun and a great opportunity to spend a little time “off the trails” with fellow friends and group members and the holidays are a perfect time to get together and celebrate. This year we’re going to do something different and celebrate aboard the Dolly Steamboat on Canyon Lake for a fun and festive evening holiday dinner cruise! How cool is that!
So be sure and save the date and come join us for what’s going to be a wonderful evening of cruising fun, food, friendship and camaraderie and great memories on the beautiful and scenic Canyon Lake, Arizona…aboard the Dolly Steamboat in celebration of the Christmas holiday together on Saturday, December 13th, at 3:30 PM, departure, at 4 PM!
For more information about the Dolly Steamboat at Canyon Lake, Arizona, go to
Dolly Steamboat | Dining & Sightseeing Tours on Canyon Lake, AZCOST: Full course dinner including Slow-Cooked Barbeque Ribs & Barbeque Chicken, $88 per person. Vegetarian option available, Black Bean Enchiladas, $93 per person.
DRINKS: Alcoholic beverages are available for purchase on board, cash bar only. Non-alcoholic will be also available.
ATTIRE: The event will be holiday casual and just for fun, let’s come showing off our best Christmas holiday “Ugly Sweater” attire!
RAFFLE & GIFT EXCHANGE: We will plan to have a raffle with a Christmas gift exchange after dinner. This year I thought it would be super fun if we donate one small, inexpensive, and wrapped gift that is either a new, or like new/gently used sports gear equipment item such as hiking, camping or diving gear that you already own but do not need or use. Let’s keep the gift items at maximum value, $20 retail.
HOW TO SIGN UP: To attend this event, please RSVP, adding your “plus 1” if you have one, then go to the following website to make your payment online: Twilight Dinner Cruise on Canyon Lake | Dolly Steamboat Be sure to include that you are with Laura Halik and the Great Outdoors Group so we can be sure to all be seated together.
WHO’S INVITED: Members of the Great Outdoors Group. Group members are also welcome to bring a “plus” or a guest.
LOCATION & ADDRESS: The Dolly Steamboat at Canyon Lake, address: 16802 AZ 88, Tortilla Flat, Arizona 85117.
https://maps.app.goo.gl/oRYDWm8a6HGK4fjz5QUESTIONS: If you have any questions, please contact Laura Halik, organizer at info@thegreatoutdoorsadventures.com.
Come join us for a wonderful holiday celebration and dinner cruise onboard the Dolly Steamboat for a whole lot of Christmas fun, friendship, camaraderie and good times and great memories together!5 attendees
NEW YEAR 2026: WHITE TANK MOUNTAINS RIDGELINE SUMMITS HIKE
Starbucks Avondale, 10321 West McDowell Road, Avondale, AZ, USTake a Journey Out to the Far West Side for a Pristine Ridgeline Summits Hike and a Circumference Traverse Across the Top of the Rugged White Tank Mountains at Skyline Regional Park, Buckeye, AZ!
OVERVIEW:
Skyline Regional Park is Phoenix’s one of the newest regional parks consisting of approximately 8,700 acres and roughly 16 miles of well-maintained trails. Located in Buckeye and the southern flanks of the White Tank Mountain range in the far west valley, Skyline Regional Park offers a pristine, remote and off the beaten path place to get outdoors to hike while enjoying the beautiful, expansive and panoramic mountain top views of the White Tanks Mountains, Estrella Mountains and entire Phoenix Valley!So, come on out and join us for this summits hike where on this moderate-strenuous route we will be traversing a circumference of the park which will include two summits and a ridgeline journey with amazing mountain scenery and expansive, panoramic views all along the way!
Total Estimated Hiking Distance: 7 miles
Total Estimated Hiking Time: Average 4-4.5 hours
Total Estimated Elevation Gain: 1300 feet
Difficulty: Moderate-StrenuousIMPORTANT DETAILS:
We will meet at the meetup location at Starbucks in Avondale, then carpool together to the Skyline Regional Park parking lot located at 2600 N. Watson Road, Buckeye, AZ 85326. https://maps.app.goo.gl/yJjLRHrXivakC3QPAThere is no fee for visiting the Skyline Regional Park. Restroom facilities are available at the trailhead.
Please plan to bring plenty of water, carbs, electrolytes and energy snacks are recommended.
We will take a short break for snacks and regrouping after the first summit, then continue on from there over to the second summit to complete our journey with a circumference of the park.
After the hike and on our return, we will plan to have lunch and celebrate at Portillo’s in Avondale. For more information including menu and address, go to Portillo's Avondale
For additional information about Skyline Regional Park including trail map and directions go to:
https://www.buckeyeaz.gov/residents/skyline-regional-park
https://www.buckeyeaz.gov/residents/skyline-regional-park-trails
https://www.buckeyeaz.gov/home/showdocument?id=6318If you have any further questions regarding this event, please let me know.
Looking forward to a great day hiking in the rugged and pristine White Tank Mountains and a whole lot of fun, friendship and camaraderie on the trails with all of you!
Cheers! 😊 Laura11 attendees
Past events
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