Everyone who enjoys the great outdoors deserves a good camping trip every now and then. Women, in particular, deserve options when it comes to camping, and if they're planning a ladies-only trip, then certain places will end up being better than others. That's not to say females can't hack it in certain camping situations, but instead it means that a little prep work and consideration can go a long way in making it extra special. We think it's smart should ditch the winery tours, spa weekends, and boujee brunches, and opt for a camping trip for your next ladies-only outing. Here are some of the best destinations for women's camping trips.
Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona
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Explore one of the seven natural wonders of the world with other women within the National Park System.
Four drive-in campgrounds are available within Grand Canyon National Park:
- Mather Campground on the South Rim: Located in Grand Canyon Village, this campground is open year round. Sites are available for as little as $18 per night. Pets and campfires are typically allowed.
- Desert View Campground: Also located on the South Rim, this campground is open seasonally and requires a reservation.
- North Rim Campground: Another seasonal campground, this one is obviously located on the North Rim of Grand Canyon National Park.
- Trailer Village RV Campground: Featuring full hook-ups, the Trailer Village RV Campground is situated in Grand Canyon Village on the South Rim. It's open year round, and you can reserve a spot through a third party from $64 per night.
For backpacking in and camping outside these developed campgrounds, you'll need to purchase a backcountry permit, which start at $8. You should submit an application as soon as possible and have a back-up plan in case your request is denied.
If glamping is more your style and you've got a bigger budget, check out Under Canvas Grand Canyon, located just 25 minutes from the South Rim entrance of Grand Canyon National Park. Luxury tents are available in a variety of sizes and configurations for groups. Amenities include on-site dining, fire pits with complimentary s'mores, live music, morning yoga, and USB battery packs.
If you don't want to deal with the headache of planning every little detail of a camping trip or would prefer to stay in a cabin, hotel, or villa for part or all of your vacation, check out these options from women-oriented travel and adventure groups:
Yellowstone Multi-Sport Adventure with Wild Women Expeditions
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Female-owned and operated, Wild Women Expeditions is the largest women's travel company in the world. They've been taking ladies to over 30 countries for more than 30 years. Destinations include everywhere from Scotland to Argentina to Thailand, but one of the best trips for women who want to stay in the United States is the Yellowstone Multi-Sport Adventure.
Featuring two nights of lodging at the Jackson Hole Hotel and four nights of camping near Yellowstone National Park, this outing provides the best of both worlds. The action-packed itinerary includes meals at local breweries, hikes within Grand Teton National Park, a wildlife tour, a 10-mile float down the Snake River, visits to Yellowstone National Park must-sees, a soak in Mammoth Hot Springs, and a horseback ride up into the Absaroka Mountains.
The full seven-day trip runs $2,995 with a $495 deposit and includes ground transfers to and from Jackson Hole Airport, all meals, double-occupancy accommodations, female guides, park fees, and required equipment. A private upgrade option is available for $695.
Rafting the Salmon River Canyons in Idaho with AdventureWomen
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Founded in 1982, AdventureWomen is another great female-led company offering trips to more than 65 countries with a variety of activities and accommodations. One of their more exciting options for ladies groups is the Salmon River Canyons rafting trip in Idaho, where women will also learn about wildlife, geology, and local history.
Participants will learn the basics of paddling as a team as well as how to read the river's flow, so women of all skill levels are welcomed for the five days of whitewater rafting on the Lower Salmon River. Other activities on the seven-day trip include a stop at the Nez Perce National Historical Park, a visit to remnants of Chinese pit houses, and a peek at Native American paintings.
The trip features a combination of river-side camping and stays at the Hell's Canyon Grand Hotel. It runs $3,295 with an option for single accommodations at $500. Also included are meals, ground transportation, fully guided sightseeing, rafting guides, some alcoholic beverages, and an AdventureWomen ambassador.
San Juan Islands Women's Kayaking with REI Adventures
REI Co-op's travel division, REI Adventures offers a variety of women-only trips, including camping expeditions across the country. This kayaking trip from Roche Harbor to Stuart Island is a great three-day option that won't break the bank or eat up all your vacation time.
Participants will have the opportunity to experience the offshore beauty of the Pacific Northwest on this trip exclusively planned for women and guided by women. The itinerary includes a rundown on sea kayaking fundamentals, a hike to Turn Point Lighthouse on Stuart Island, three days of paddling while spotting orca whales, seals, and eagles, and island camping.
The trip runs just $1,049 for REI members and $1,149 for non-members. These prices include guiding, meals, roundtrip group transfer from Roche Harbor to Friday Harbor, three-person tents with double occupancy for two nights, kayaking equipment, and wine tastings.
Appalachian Trail (Vermont) with Adventures in Good Company
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Coordinating fun trips for women of all ages, Adventures in Good Company offers the opportunity to knock out a portion of the Appalachian Trail as well as Vermont's famous Long Trail with this seven-day trip. The company was founded in 1999 and has since taken women to more than 100 destinations across the world, including historic New England.
Participants will backpack through Vermont and along the Massachusetts border during beautiful early fall weather, have the opportunity to stand atop Killington Mountain, hike the Clarenton Gorge, swim in a high mountain lake, take in incredible views, and learn lightweight backpacking techniques. Due to the strenuous hikes at varying elevations, the trip is recommended for experienced backpackers
The trip includes two nights of lodging and five nights of primitive camping for $1,495. An optional upgrade for single occupancy accommodations those two nights is available for $200. Also included in the total trip costs are experienced guides, meals on trail, and two dinners at restaurants.
