Why Women’s Adventure Travel Is More Popular Than Ever

I’ve found that true empowerment comes from feeling seen, supported, and encouraged - especially when surrounded by inspiring nature. There’s something incredibly freeing about being around others who understand you, who encourage you to try new things and embrace the challenges along the way. These are just some of the reasons why Women’s Adventure Travel has become so popular in recent years.

More women than ever are stepping outside of their comfort zones and seeking the excitement of new experiences, together. These trips gather women from all walks of life - different countries, backgrounds, experience in the outdoors, and fitness levels - each united by the desire for a memorable adventure. In this post, we’ll dive into what makes all-women’s travel experiences so unique, and if you’re ready for an unforgettable journey, I’ll help you find the trip that’s just right for you!

My Own Journey Into Women’s Adventure Travel

I had been intrigued by backpacking for years before I finally moved out west from Connecticut to Colorado. That’s when I very luckily met the right friends - people who were eager to share their knowledge. I’m forever grateful to them for that. Fast forward a decade, and what started as a passion has become my career. I now work as a hiking and backpacking guide in some of this country’s most beautiful natural spaces.

Even after a number of years of working in the outdoors, on every trip, there’s always that one moment that stops me in my tracks - a moment when I think, this is my life. I think about everything that had to fall into place for me to be right there, at an awe-inspiring vista on a mountaintop or sitting beside the Colorado River at the bottom of the Grand Canyon. It’s usually during these moments, as I look around at the people on the trip - each of us experiencing the moment in our own way - that I feel a deep sense of gratitude for the people who choose to join these trips. These are the memories we carry with us for the rest of our lives. 

The Trip That Inspired

Make it an All-Women’s Adventure and those sentiments just mentioned are multiplied. The trip that made me fall in love with Women’s Adventure Travel took place in the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument in Utah. Ten women from all corners of the country and two women guides headed into the backcountry for a 4-day backpacking trip in Coyote Gulch.

This landscape features endless sandstone canyons, rushing waterfalls, campsites near breathtaking natural arches, lush hanging gardens, and awe-inspiring ancient Native American archaeological sites. It’s an epic desert oasis to say the least. It wasn’t the scenery that made me fall in love with these types of trips though (this was at least the 8th time I had done that trail), it was the experience of it - and ultimately the amazing women who came together for it.

I watched as bonds formed, beginning with the big, authentic laughs in the van ride to the trailhead. The excitement was palpable. Over the next few days, we did yoga, meditated, took time to intentionally sit in nature, hiked slowly enough to take in the scenery and relish in the beauty surrounding us, ate delicious meals (even baked a cake!), and camped at the base of towering sandstone walls near a gently flowing creek. Most of all, I noticed how the women supported and encouraged each other, reminding one another that they were capable and strong along the way.

On the last day, we took a route that was steep and sandy, making for the most challenging terrain that the women had faced so far. We had to get up and out of the canyon oasis, onto the rim, and back to the van. One of the women, who is still one of my favorite guests to date, really struggled on this section. At first, I listened to her beat herself up with self-defeating thoughts just because she had slowed down a bit. Since I was hiking in the back with her, she constantly apologized for being slow, and each time I reminded her that she was doing great, assuring her that we didn’t need to rush. Her biggest obstacle was undoubtedly her self-talk.

As we made it up the biggest hill, I saw her energy shift. She shared with me that she had been taking care of her sick mother and her children, and had been so busy that she had let her physical health take a backseat. She also said she was super close to not coming on the trip because of it but ultimately decided that he needed the time for herself. I’m so grateful she did. Her story, and most of all her heart, inspired me.

I had offered to take her backpack on a few of the more difficult stretches, but each time she declined, saying that she could do it and she would finish strong. There is no shame in accepting help, but I admired her determination. She went from having a self-defeating attitude, to one of confidence and strength. We finished the hike, exchanged huge heartfelt hugs, celebrated with cold drinks from the cooler, and took some group pictures featuring the faces of empowered and accomplished women. A trip for the books.

There’s something truly special about all-women’s groups, where the bonds formed feel both softening and full of strength. It’s not just about the places we explore; it’s about how we experience them...together. 

What Sets All-Women’s Adventures Apart, Giving Them That Extra Dose of Magic?

Empowerment and Personal Growth

When was the last time you tried something new? Did you know that learning a new skill is one of the healthiest things we can do for our brains and bodies? It boosts our self-confidence and reminds us just how adaptable and resilient we really are.

After spending time outdoors, stepping outside the comfort bubble we’ve created at home to do something that challenges us, it's common to return with a renewed sense of accomplishment - and maybe even a burst of creativity.

That group of women you’re traveling and hiking with? Expect them to be cheering you on, walking beside you, believing in you like you should believe in yourself. You’ll return home knowing that you have pushed yourself, and you have succeeded. So, what else might you feel empowered to do next?

Authentic Experiences and True Connections

Imagine having the space to feel whatever comes up: joy, sadness, worry, excitement, anxiety, and confidence. Laugh hard, share deeply if you feel called to, shed tears of awe and tears of release - whatever comes up for you on these trips will be fully welcomed, authenticity encouraged.

Each individual’s story is different, yet the women joining these trips are often seeking the same thing - A raw, whole, beautifully real experience. Hiking and simply being in nature lay the foundation for these connected experiences, where the noise of everyday life fades away, and you’re left with just the present moment.

In the company of like-minded women, you’ll have the space to truly connect - not only with nature but with each other, fostering relationships that are deep and meaningful. There's no rush and no pressure, just the freedom to be yourself, to express what you're feeling, and to support one another in the process. 

Support, Camaraderie, and Safety

Traveling solo can be both empowering and intimidating. When you join an All-Women’s Trip as a solo traveler, you will be so proud of yourself for doing something beneficial just for yourself, no longer waiting for that perfect adventure partner to pop into your life.

What makes All-Women’s Trips even more special is the camaraderie that naturally forms within the group. You’ll quickly realize that you’re not just on an adventure alone - you're part of a community of women who have your back and can offer a helping hand when needed.

You'll return with not just memories of the stunning landscapes, but also with new friendships and a renewed sense of confidence and way of being in the world. Embrace the empowerment of solo travel all while experiencing the beauty of camaraderie along the way.

Community and Sisterhood

As a group of sisters, we’ll travel through stunning landscapes as a unit, each of us bringing something unique to the experience. In today’s world, community is often overlooked but being part of something bigger - something truly meaningful - can be a welcome change from the disconnection many of us feel in such a divided society.

Imagine being surrounded by women who genuinely want to see you succeed, who will be there for whatever comes up. The bonds formed are rooted in shared experiences and a mutual understanding that goes beyond words. And the next time you’re planning a trip, you’ll have a whole group of women to reach out to, continuing to build on the friendships you’ve made. It’s not unusual for two friends to show up together, only to find out they actually met on a previous trip!

Expanding your circle, making lifelong connections, and having people to visit or plan future adventures with is one of the best parts of these group trips. You’ll look back on the memories you created with women who were once strangers - now friends - connected by the courage to try something new.

Nature’s Benefits

Many of the benefits of these trips come simply from being out there. Adventure travel, especially when it’s centered in Mother Nature, has a uniquely rejuvenating effect. Nature’s quiet embrace grounds us throughout these trips.

Whether you’ve always loved the outdoors or are new to spending time in nature, you’ll leave with an experience that reconnects your soul to something pure and true. Studies prove immediate and long-term benefits of being in green spaces, and with our lives becoming more engulfed in concrete and technology, this time spent in nature will only become more important for our mental health.

So, set that away message on your email, put your phone on airplane mode, and immerse yourself in what’s natural and timeless. Picture yourself sitting beside a babbling creek on a warm summer day, soaking your feet in the cool water while reading your favorite book. Feel the breeze on your skin after you’ve pushed yourself to the top of a summit. Take deep, intentional breaths of crisp fall air while surrounded by golden cottonwoods. Fall asleep under a blanket of stars, with a view of the Milky Way that seems too magical to be real. Then, wake up to the sweet song of the canyon wren greeting the new day.

It’s about remembering your body’s natural rhythms and syncing with nature’s cycles - watching the moon crest the mountain saddle and being present for the first sun rays to touch your skin in the morning. There’s something so simple, inherent, and magical about spending intentional time in nature. And when you share that experience with other women who are gifting themselves the same magic, the memories you create become even more unforgettable.

Self-Care

As women in this world, we are expected to be so much. We are empathetic sisters, devoted daughters, superwoman mothers, loving spouses, reliable friends, and so much more. Often, we work full-time while keeping track of our family's schedules, taking care of the house, cooking, cleaning, and still finding time to be that listening ear at the end of a long day.

We are expected to be independent, but also caretakers. We nurture our loved ones, often running out of energy before we nurture ourselves. We hear the saying all of the time- you have to take care of yourself before you can take care of others- but how often do we actually prioritize this?

When you join an All-Women’s Adventure, you are joining a tribe of women who get it. Each story will be different, but all with relatable sentiments. These trips will fill your cup back up, with each day being centered around taking care of ourselves. Your guide will prepare delicious, nutritious meals for you so that you can spend your time out in nature just unwinding and sinking into the experience. Without the distractions of daily life, you can once again ease into listening to your deeper knowing, your intuition, your body, and what you need in each passing moment.

These trips often include aspects that encourage diving into these societally dampened qualities of the strong, yet soft, feminine experience. Daily mindfulness, yoga classes, and sharing circles (all optional) are common activities on these trips. 

Women-Led

Guides who lead these trips are also women just like yourself. I have wonderful male co-guides, but there is no denying that there is something special about having someone that you can relate to on a deeper level. Feel safe to share whatever it is that comes up for you. Rest assured that your guide is there to support you. Their ultimate goal will undoubtedly be for you to have the best possible experience so that you return home glowing. Hopefully they will see you again when you sign up for another trip and bring a friend to add to the ever-expanding tribe! 

You Deserve This! Now, Which Trip?

All-Women’s Adventures offer so much more than just the physical journey - it’s about personal growth, forming deep connections, and finding empowerment in nature. Whether you’re stepping out of your comfort zone, making new friends, or simply taking time for self-care, these trips are designed to rejuvenate your mind, body, and soul. If you’re ready to take the leap and join a community of women who are all seeking something more, your unforgettable adventure awaits.

Lodge-Based

If you’re looking to experience nature alongside a supportive group of like-minded women, but you’re not interested in camping, lodge-based trips offer the perfect balance of comfort and adventure. After a day of exploring stunning trails, you’ll eat at a local restaurant and return to a cozy room each night. With a comfortable bed, a hot shower, and peaceful evenings, you’ll feel rested and recharged - ready to share the next day’s adventures with your lady crew. It’s the ideal combination of nature, relaxation, and the empowering energy of an all-women's group.

Basecamp

For women who love the outdoors and want to camp but still want some daily comfort amenities, Basecamp Tours are the perfect fit. You’ll spend your days hiking through breathtaking landscapes along epic trails, each hike different from the next. Return to a campsite each night to enjoy a warm shower while your guide cooks up a hearty and nutritious meal for your group. Under a blanket of stars and surrounded by the peaceful quiet of nature, you’ll get to focus on relaxing and having fun with other women who share your passion for adventure.

Backpacking

If you’re ready for a true, immersive backcountry experience, an all-women's backpacking trip will offer you the chance to challenge yourself while fully reaping the benefits of being out in the wilderness. Carrying everything you need through the backcountry is unbelievably freeing, not to mention that some of the most spectacular landscapes in the world are only accessible by way of backpacking. Your guide will surely surprise you with delicious meals that always taste extra special after a day on trail. The shared experience of conquering each day together will leave you feeling empowered and connected to both nature and the incredible women by your side.

If you have any questions or just prefer to talk to an expert about the different options, Four Season Guides is always here to help! Give yourself the gift of one of these amazing experiences. I hope to see you out there!

– Danielle Tilley, an FSG Guide and Blog Contributor