Backpacking Trips

For Campers Entering Grades 7–12

Whether hiking on Border Route Trail, on Isle Royale in Lake Superior, or out West in the Rocky Mountains, Menogyn backpacking is an excellent way for teens of all skill levels to experience the wonders of wild places!

Backpacking campers can expect to:

  • Hike through spectacular landscapes in northern Minnesota, Michigan or in the Rocky Mountains of the West.
  • Live and travel in a small community of 4-6 other campers
  • Travel an average of 5-10 miles a day
  • Develop wilderness skills like navigation, hiking etiquette, and campcraft
  • Learn about low-impact wilderness travel
  • Build connections and friendships with other campers
  • Challenge themselves under the supervision of our highly trained guides

Financial assistance is available.

Intro to Backpacking: Border Route Trail

Campers will spend time in camp preparing for their trip and then enjoy two nights and three days in the beautiful Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness.

Entering Grades 7-8
5-Day Sessions

2023 Camp Options

7/24-7/28 | 5 Days | Single Gender | $685
7/31-8/4 | 5 Days | Single Gender | $685
8/7-8/11 | 5 Days | Single Gender | $685
8/21-8/25 | 5 Days | Single Gender | $685

Isle Royale Backpack 

After a 90-minute ferry ride from Grand Portage, campers enjoy 9 days backpacking established trails on Isle Royale. Isle Royale is a beautiful island national park in Gitchi Gami, also know as Lake Superior.

Isle Royale Trips are not appropriate for first time backpackers. Previous backpacking experience required. Please contact us if you would like more information.

Entering Grades 9-11
12-Day Sessions

2023 Camp Options

6/26-7/7 | 12 Days | Single Gender | $2,045
7/10-7/21 | 12 Days | Single Gender | $2,045
8/7-8/18 | 12 Days | Single Gender | $2,045

Rocky Mountains Backpack

Campers hike deep into Rocky Mountain wilderness areas to experience spectacular mixed-alpine terrain at elevations up to 11,000 feet. Campers will learn crucial backpacking skills like mountain navigation and Leave No Trace practices.

12-day sessions travel to Helena National Forest for a 5-day backpacking trip.

19-day sessions travel to Yellowstone National Park for an 11-day backpacking trip. Previous wilderness experience is required for 19-day Rocky Mountain sessions.

Locations are subject to change in the event that a travel area is inaccessible.

Entering grades 8-10
12-Day Sessions

​​​​​​​2023 Camp Options

7/3-7/14 | 12 Days | Single Gender | $2,045
7/24-8/4 | 12 Days | Single Gender | $2,045
8/14-8/25 | 12 Days | Single Gender | $2,045

Entering grades 10-12
19-Day Sessions
*Previous wilderness experience is required.*

7/3-7/21 | 19 Days | Single Gender | $3,245
7/24-8/11 | 19 Days | Single Gender | $3,245