NOLS Expeditions for Adults
Designed for both beginners and experienced individuals, NOLS’ outdoor adventures for adults teach real, practical skills in wild places for a lifetime of exploration.
NOLS Adult Expeditions are immersive 1- to 2-week wilderness experiences designed exclusively for adults 23 and over. Gain hands-on experience in climbing, sailing, backpacking, and more, while learning to manage risk and make critical decisions with expert mentorship. By the end of the course, you'll be fully prepared to lead your own wilderness trips with confidence.
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“The skills I learned are skills I have tried to pick up over the last 5 years on my own. The experiential learning and leadership skills were what drew me in, and the esteemed reputation of NOLS is what ultimately helped me make a decision for NOLS instead of [a competitor] for a skills based outdoor trip. I walked away with so much knowledge, experience and CONFIDENCE in the skills I need on personal trips.”
– Alumnus, 2023 NOLS Alaska Backpacking – Adult
Explore our summer adult expeditions
Adult Expedition Highlights
✅ Travel through remote places.
✅ Learn new skills: horsepacking, sea kayaking, packrafting, mountaineering, or backpacking.
✅ Practice Leave No Trace principles.
✅ Meet like-minded peers.
✅ Take an extended break from screens and technology.
✅ Become a responsible, competent wilderness traveler.
We’re Mission-driven to be Educators, not Guides
That means you’re the one learning to set up your tent, cook full meals on a camp stove, and be a leader in your group. While your instructors will provide mentorship and support, by the end of your course, their goal is to be your sidekick rather than your boss.
