I (23F) have recently moved to DC and was wondering if there were any outdoor/camping groups that organize trips (I do not have a car) for the DMV area or beyond. I am pretty athletic and have a lot of experience camping, but do not have any of my equipment here. Is there anything like this in DC? Thank you!

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distraughtdrunk t1_iteyx6r wrote on October 23, 2022 at 3:24 AM

REI has a flagship store in noma

bbear1998 OP t1_itezdv0 wrote on October 23, 2022 at 3:28 AM

Thank you!!

RacetotheBottom t1_itfzyyc wrote on October 23, 2022 at 11:06 AM

There's also Quantico Orienteering Club (qocweb.org) which hosts an event in the region most weekends. It's a fun way to run around in the woods with purpose. DM me for more info.

SSSS_car_go t1_itg3h3b wrote on October 23, 2022 at 11:48 AM

Check out the Potomac Appalachian Trail Club. Many of their trips are weekend work trips, maintaining trails, shelters, and cabins, but they also have a robust list of ski, camping, and other trips.

AlpenBass t1_itg6h4h wrote on October 23, 2022 at 12:20 PM

There’s a Reddit group called r/dmvbikepackers that plans weekend bikepacking/bike touring outings on the C&O canal. The canal connects to the Great Allegheny Passage, which goes all the way to Pittsburgh. You do need the right equipment for this, however. (Bikepacking bags or racks and panniers, ultralighting equipment instead of car camping equipment, etc.). The C&O and connecting Great Allegheny Passage are nationally famous for bikepacking. Other than that, Appalachian Trail, Shenandoah National Park, and Assateague Island are all also famous, local camping/outdoors destinations.

sbj405 t1_itg887i wrote on October 23, 2022 at 12:37 PM

Check meetup. There are several hiking/backpacking/outdoors groups. Capital Hiking club has options with transportation.

whenpigsfly234 t1_itgqctz wrote on October 23, 2022 at 3:05 PM

Meetup! This is my fave hiking group. The events always have waitlists but if you're one of the first 5 or so on it, you can usually still get into the event.

Check out Outdoorsy Women (20s and 30s) https://meetu.ps/c/3KKnB/GFMzT/d on Meetup

loonlaugh t1_iti8bx4 wrote on October 23, 2022 at 8:56 PM

Washington Women Outdoors

Outdoor Afro

Latino Outdoors

Adventuring (LGBTQIA)

Capitol Hill Outfitters for gear rentals

marc0011 t1_itjqzn2 wrote on October 24, 2022 at 3:45 AM

Check out upshift DC. Sometimes she leads bike packing trips on the canal. It’s around 11 miles out. Great site with a lovely view of the Potomac gorge in the morning.

pomegranatecloud t1_itgrsqi wrote on October 23, 2022 at 3:15 PM

REI has some organized local trips where they supply everything and transportation. The DC REI doesn’t do backpacking/camping rentals last time I checked. You’d probably be better off looking into local groups or finding a friend who shares the same interests who maybe has excess gear unless you want to rent or buy.

Nothings stopping you from renting a car and finding a gear rental place. I’d be surprised if you couldn’t find gear rental places near Shenandoah or the more popular WV hiking and camping spots. Might be more rental places in the DMV burbs.

Smitty2k1 t1_itgv1p7 wrote on October 23, 2022 at 3:38 PM

Mappyhour has events in DC sometimes

VanishedVoicesofMD t1_itigff6 wrote on October 23, 2022 at 9:48 PM

Check out Mid-Atlantic Outdoors on Meetup https://meetu.ps/c/bW9r/wdX6Z/a

netether t1_itjeib3 wrote on October 24, 2022 at 2:03 AM

I've got some decent backpacking gear that I'm unable to use because of my work schedule. If be willing to lend it for a bit if that would help.