My alarm jostled me awake at 5 a.m. PT, around the same time I'd usually wake up on the East coast. But instead of getting dressed for work, I layered up in comfortable gear, made sure my daypack had enough water in it, and rolled out of my tent, ready as I would ever be for a sunrise hike in Pinnacles National Park.
I owed this unique opportunity to REI Adventures, the travel company arm of outdoor co-op REI, which has been guiding adventure seekers and outdoor enthusiasts on these trips since 1987. This hiking and camping excursion through one of the country's newest national parks is just one of the many outdoor adventures it offers around the world.
If the idea of an "outdoor adventure" sounds intimidating or intense, don't be discouraged. REI Adventures offers trips for a wide variety of activity levels, durations, and activities, so you can find one that suits your comfort level and interests. The more important point is to get you outdoors (your body and mind will thank you for it) with less hassle and work.
See below for a glimpse into what my experience was like on an REI Adventures trip through Pinnacles National Park. At the end of this review, I've also included answers to a series of FAQs such as how long each REI Adventures trip is and how much it costs to attend.
SEE ALSO: An inside look at how REI prepares and sells its affordable Used Gear
After arriving at the park, we jumped right into the sunny afternoon with a five-mile hike.
Our group of nine people total (seven participants and two guides) traversed mountainous terrain, stopping to admire distinctive rock formations and attempt to spot the elusive California condor. We learned a bit about the history of the park, its geography, and its notable features.
With our first hike checked off and our bodies sufficiently warmed up, we drove back to the campground to set up camp. Everything for our trip fit in this van and small trailer.
Packed into the trailer were tents, cooking equipment, food supplies for all three days, and camping chairs.
The guides showed us how to set up our tents, which were surprisingly easy to assemble, even for a novice like me.
I haven't camped in at least 10 years, so I was a little nervous about having to set up my own tent. But thanks to the clear direction of our guides and the simple design of the tents, I had my humble abode set up in no time.
In case you're wondering, we slept in these airy REI Co-op Kingdom 4 Tents ($399). Since I don't camp often, I appreciated that these were provided to us. I wouldn't use it enough if I bought one for myself, and I also have nowhere to store it in my own apartment.
They also provided us with sleeping pads, small personal tables, and a woven mat to make the tent feel more comfortable. It was a nice and thoughtful touch.
The guides are expert camp cooks and have all the equipment and food supplies necessary to make delicious meals ...
... which meant everyone else in the group got to sit back and enjoy a drink by the campfire as we rested from our hike.
I wouldn't mind helping make dinner, but I have to admit it also felt great not worrying about any of our meals throughout the trip. Our main task that evening was to be on the lookout for wily, hungry raccoons.
And all the meals were amazing. I didn't expect to eat this well on an outdoors trip, where I'm usually getting by on dried meats, squished sandwiches, and mysterious stews.
Our first dinner included salad, salmon, pork loin, and potatoes.
If you have food restrictions or allergies, don't worry — our guides were careful and attentive about concerns like keto or dairy-free diets in our group and always had alternatives available.
Seriously, I don't even eat breakfasts this balanced and filling at home.
Not having to prepare food, then filling ourselves with the delicious meals, meant we had plenty of energy to attack each day's activities. The guides also carried snacks and prepared picnic-worthy lunch spreads during our hikes.
Of course, our guides were more than excellent cooks. Having personally scouted destinations and led countless trips before us, they were experts — professional, friendly, and energetic to boot.
I felt confident in their capable hands as they led us through noteworthy parts of the park, and I learned a lot about the wildlife and geology of Pinnacles. The guides are also great resources for types of outdoor gear you should carry, cool parks and hikes around the world, and other tidbits of outdoors knowledge.
They showed us different rocks ...
... exposed us to woodsy areas that made Pinnacles feel like a completely different park ...
... and took us into the dark and exciting caves that Pinnacles is so well known for.
On the morning of the last day, we embarked on a short sunrise hike to Bear Gulch Reservoir, where we enjoyed breakfast and some quiet time.
It's not often I can watch the sun rise and listen to the birds and other animals come alive in the morning, so I relished the respite from city life.
Overall, I also enjoyed the company of my group.
When you go on a trip with REI Adventures, chances are you'll be traveling with like-minded people. Everyone may have different backgrounds and interests in different outdoor activities, but you're ultimately bonded by a love of the outdoors.
REI says that half of its trip participants are solo travelers, so trips are an excellent opportunity to meet new people. There are also friends, couples, and families who travel together.
The bottom line: Explore the outdoors with REI Adventures.
Thanks to these standout features from my experience, I wouldn't hesitate to go on another trip through REI Adventures.
- The guides: The organization, expertise, and friendliness of the guides are everything. They make the trips both fun and informative.
- The convenience: Annoying hassles like large, expensive equipment and detailed itineraries are all taken care of, so you can enjoy your destination even more.
- The destinations: Since the outdoor destinations are living, breathing entities, there's never any guarantee that you'll be able to see a specific animal or capture a specific view on your camera. However, there's no questioning that they're beautiful, interesting places to explore and appreciate.
FAQs
Where are the REI Adventures trips offered?
At the time of this writing, there are more than 100 trips you can choose from— all of which are domestic. REI previously offered trips around the world and on every continent, even Antarctica, but has since altered its offerings in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Prior to the pandemic, REI Adventures had trips that would allow you to kayak and zip line in Costa Rica, hike the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu, make the classic base camp trek at Everest, and more.
Though those are on pause currently, you can still narrow your search by a number of domestic regions or destinations to find one that fits where you want to travel (e.g. national parks).
How long are REI Adventures trips?
There are trips that are three days long, 23 days long, and everything in between. That means you can take a quick weekend trip when you're craving proximity to nature more involved than looking at your desk plant or collect all your vacation days to embark on an adventure of a lifetime. The majority of REI Adventures trips are three to nine days long.
Are REI Adventures trips strenuous?
No. Each trip has a number rating from 1 (relaxed) to 5 (strenuous). While a relaxed trip will involve a few hours of activity on flat terrain and with little or no elevation gain, a strenuous trip is designed for very active travelers and includes 10+ hours of activity per day, steep ascents and descents, elevation changes of up to 4,000 feet per day, and altitudes topping 14,000 feet.
About half of the available trips have a 3 rating (moderate), which is suitable for outdoor novices and casual recreationalists. While browsing trips, you can filter by activity level rating and gauge which ones are most appropriate for you.
How much do REI Adventures trips cost and what's included?
The trips range from $759 to more than $10,000 per person. They're pricey but there are a couple of factors to consider: REI members get significant discounts, and the price is inclusive of things like park fees, meals, camping tents, cooking equipment, some transportation, and professional guiding expertise.
Beyond the cost of expensive outdoor equipment, you might want to consider the price tag you put on convenience and expertise. If you're willing and able to pay for a less stressful outdoor experience in which someone else handles all the research and costs of itinerary design and equipment, then you should seriously consider an REI Adventures trip.
I've signed up for an REI Adventures trip. Now what?
After you sign up and submit a deposit, you'll get access to a portal where you can review everything you need to prepare for the trip. This includes a checklist of the gear you need to bring, forms about your medical history and physical fitness, and the option to purchase travel insurance.
In the days leading up to your trip, you'll also receive a final itinerary that includes the details of each day, as well as important contact information.
What else can I expect from my REI Adventures trip?
As part of an REI-sponsored media trip, I went on a shortened version of the Pinnacles National Park trip— it was three days instead of four, but the rest of the experience remained the same.
Keep reading to learn about all the details, including the tents we stayed in, the food we ate, and the guides who led us through the journey.