Adventure, growth, and wilderness memories that last a lifetime
Summer is a golden gateway for teens to stretch their legs, broaden their horizons, and build confidence under open skies. Backpacking camps do more than hike miles — they foster leadership, teamwork, friendship, resilience, and a deep connection with nature’s best classrooms. Here are the top 5 backpacking summer camps for teens offered by Lasting Adventures, each a unique wilderness journey your teen will remember for years.
1. 20-Day Teen Leadership Expedition – Yosemite National Park
If your teen is ready to go big, this expedition is the pinnacle of backpacking summer experiences. Over 20 days in and around Yosemite’s high country, participants build advanced outdoor leadership skills by trekking through iconic backcountry terrain, learning wilderness navigation, and earning certifications such as Wilderness First Aid and Leave No Trace. The adventure also includes whitewater rafting and the opportunity to summit Half Dome, making it ideal for teens seeking challenge, skill development, and a transformative summer of personal growth.
Best For: Future outdoor leaders, experienced backpackers, and teens looking for a life-changing challenge.
Why It Stands Out: Combines backcountry skills with leadership and certifications rare at most camps.
Trip Length: 20 days
2. Young Women’s Program – Olympic and Yosemite National Park
The all-female Young Women’s Backpacking Adventure combines exploration with empowerment. Available in 6- or 13-day sessions, this camp is designed to help young women ages 13-18 develop backpacking skills and confidence on the trail and in life in the country’s most beautiful parks. The scenery is jaw-dropping, while expert female guides champion growth, teamwork, and self-discovery at every step.
Best For: Young women looking for outdoor adventure, newfound friendships, confidence-building, and leadership.
Why It Stands Out: Supportive all-female environment with expert guides.
Trip Length: 6 & 13-Days in Olympic and 6 & 13-Days in Yosemite
3. 10-Day Mammoth to Yosemite Teen Adventure – Inyo National Forest to Yosemite National Park
For teens eager to explore more of the Sierra Nevada’s epic beauty beyond Yosemite, this 10-day backpacking experience is a perfect blend of challenge and awe. Hikes take teens through alpine meadows, across high passes, and beside crystal-clear lakes — the raw essence of backcountry life along parts of the famous John Muir Trail. With skill-building days on trail and plenty of time for connection with fellow adventurers, this trip is a powerful way to explore Yosemite’s rugged heart and beyond.
Best For: Teens ready for sustained backcountry adventure without the extended duration of leadership expeditions.
Why It Stands Out: Classic Sierra scenery that ends on the famous Mist Trail.
Trip Length: 10 days
4. 10-Day Sequoia High Country Teen Adventure – Sequoia-Kings Canyon National Park
Venturing into the alpine expanses of Mineral King Canyon in Sequoia National Park, this 10-day adventure immerses teens in landscapes defined by sky-high trees and sweeping mountain views. Backpacking through remote terrain builds endurance, camaraderie, and wilderness confidence — all while exploring one of California’s most inspiring wild places. Get ready for jaw-dropping scenes and alpine lakes with ample fishing opportunities.
Best For: Teens seeking stunning natural diversity and deep wilderness immersion while also building deep connections with each other and the land.
Why It Stands Out: Awe-inspiring high-country vistas and never-ending wildflowers.
Trip Length: 10 days
5. 10-Day Rainforest to Glacier Teen Adventure – Olympic National Park
This 10-day expedition across Olympic’s famed ecosystems blends lush rainforest hiking with challenging terrain that leads to the Blue Glacier and High Divide. The variety of landscapes — from mossy forest floors to alpine ridges — gives teens a full taste of Pacific Northwest backcountry beauty, plus opportunities to connect with nature and peers in meaningful ways.
Best For: Teens drawn to ecological diversity, varied wilderness experiences, and fans of Twilight.
Why It Stands Out: Classic Olympic transitions from temperate rainforest to glacier-framed views.
Trip Length: 10 days
Why Backpacking Camps Matter
Backpacking camps do more than teach trail skills; they nurture self-confidence, resilience, and a lifelong love of the natural world. In guided programs like these, teens learn to set goals, overcome challenges, build authentic friendships, and discover parts of themselves they wouldn’t find in a classroom.
Ready to give your teen a summer they’ll never forget? Discover trip dates, itineraries, and registration info for each of these incredible backpacking summer camps for teens on the Lasting Adventures website.
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