How to Find a Guide for Your Next Adventure — Version 1.2
In the wake of REI's decision to cancel Experiences, Quandary Magazine is compiling a directory of guide and outfitting services around the globe
REI’s decision to end the Experiences program has opened up a void in the adventure travel space. The co-op’s business model largely depended on a subcontractor network of small businesses; outfitters and guides who abruptly had an enormous amount of their trips cancelled.
Quandary Magazine spoke with several of these vendors, and received an official response from REI. That in-depth coverage is available here:
To help adventurers find guides and outfitters operating in their area, Quandary Magazine is compiling an easy-to-navigate directory. Businesses are sorted alphabetically by state.
Listings include location, what activities are offered, and contact information. As Quandary Magazine is primarily read in the United States, US-based companies are posted first.
Patch Notes
Total Listings — 42 | Last Updated — 1/30/2025
1.2 — added 8 new outfitters, added delineation between country directories
1.1 — added 4 new outfitters, corrected mistakes to alphabetization
If someone you know is planning a trip, consider sharing this post to help others get in touch with these local businesses.
United States
Nationwide / Multistate
OARS
Arizona, California, Idaho, Oregon, Utah
Rafting / Kayaking / Canoeing
“OARS is a second generation family-owned rafting company that runs all-inclusive one- to 17-day guided adventures on the rivers of the West for active travelers of all ages and abilities.”
Alpinistas Adventures
California & Nevada
Camping / Hiking / Thru-hiking / Climbing / Mountaineering, Skiing / Snowboarding / Snowshoeing
East Outdoors
Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia
Climbing / Mountaineering
“East Outdoors is a locally-owned, community-grown climbing school and guiding service providing transformative experiences and education for climbers of all abilities.”
Kaf Adventures
Washington & Oregon
Camping / Hiking / Thru-hiking, Climbing / Mountaineering, Skiing / Snowboarding / Snowshoeing, Avalanche Education
“Kaf Adventures fosters the growth of outdoor leaders through technical skills progression and custom built outdoor experiences. They focus on education and community building and always have fun along the way. Whether backpacking, rock climbing, mountaineering, or backcountry skiing, if you can dream it, Kaf will help you do it.”
Biking, Camping / Hiking / Thru-hiking / Interpretive Tours
Camping / Hiking / Thru-hiking
Biking, Rafting / Kayaking / Canoeing, Snowshoe and X-country skiing
Camping / Hiking / Thru-hiking / Yoga trips
Alaska
Biking / Camping / Hiking / Thru-hiking
“Sockeye Cycle specializes in all things bicycle related including tours, rentals, service, and sales. We are located in Southeast Alaska and provide day tours as well as multi-day tours in Southeast Alaska, Yukon territory, and inland Alaska.”
Above and Beyond Alaska
Juneau
Camping / Hiking / Thru-hiking / Rafting / Kayaking / Canoeing / Glacier trekking / Packrafting
Arizona
Backcountry Found
Paige
Camping / Hiking / Thru-hiking
360 Adventures
Phoenix
Climbing / Mountaineering / Canyoneering
Flagstaff field institute
Flagstaff
Wilderness Med courses
STS Adventures, LLC
Queen Creek
Biking / Camping / Hiking / Thru-hiking, Interpretive hikes / Bike tours in the Sonoran desert
California
Camping / Hiking / Thru-hiking
Climbing / Mountaineering / Rafting / Kayaking / Canoeing / Outdoor education / River science / River skills / High ropes / Low ropes / Packrafting / Camping
Shasta Mountain Guides
Mt. Shasta
Camping / Hiking / Thru-hiking / Climbing / Mountaineering
“Shasta Mountain Guides was the vendor for the PCT Women’s and PCT Co-Ed Backpacking trips. As well as the Climbs of Mount Shasta.”
Colorado
Forward Explorations LLC
Boulder
Camping / Hiking / Thru-hiking
“Forward Explorations leads unforgettable outdoor experiences to unique international destinations and custom trips in the United States. Come explore with us”
Golden Mountain Guides
Golden
Climbing / Mountaineering / Skiing / Snowboarding / Snowshoeing
“This is a local, family owned business that employed certified professional guides, and provides excellent services and experiences in the mountains”
Independent Whitewater
Salida
Rafting / Kayaking / Canoeing
“We were a group of 11 adults and 2 children and Independent Whitewater was very accommodating! We had two boats and had the time of our lives! Guides were knowledgeable and friendly! We had Grant and Jeremy! We loved every minute and can’t wait to go back!”
North Carolina
Camping / Hiking / Thru-hiking / Rafting / Kayaking / Canoeing / Sailing / Fishing / Diving / Survival & ancestral skills
“We seek to help people expand their capabilities, unleash their true primal selves and deepen their connection with the wild through skills classes and wilderness expeditions.”
New York
Biking / Camping / Hiking / Thru-hiking / Climbing / Mountaineering / Horseback Riding / Rafting / Kayaking / Canoeing / Skiing / Snowboarding / Snowshoeing, Spelunking
Maine
Biking
"We are a 25 year old company based in Portland, Maine"
Massachusetts
Greater Boston Climbing School
Climbing / Mountaineering
Montana
Bitterroot Backpacking
Missoula
Camping / Hiking / Thru-hiking / Skiing / Snowboarding / Snowshoeing / Packrafting
Climate Ride
Missoula
Biking / Camping / Hiking / Thru-hiking / Skiing / Snowboarding / Snowshoeing
“Climate Ride organizes and guides trips that raise crucial funds for environmental and active transportation groups.”
Oregon
Camping / Hiking / Thru-hiking, Rafting / Kayaking / Canoeing, Sailing / Fishing / Diving
Biking / Camping / Hiking / Thru-hiking / Rafting / Kayaking / Canoeing / Skiing / Snowboarding / Snowshoeing / Map and Compass Navigation / Backpacking Skills / LNT principles
Tennessee
A Walk in the Woods
Gatlinburg
Camping / Hiking / Thru-hiking
“A Walk in the Woods has been a family-owned, locally operating guide service in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park since 1998. We’ve guided hundreds of thousands of clients over every inch of the Smokies and beyond.”
Utah
AWExpeditions
Worldwide excursions
Camping / Hiking / Thru-hiking / Climbing / Mountaineering
Camping / Hiking / Thru-hiking
“Dreamland Safari Tours is one of the top area tour operators and has been in continuous operation for 24 years.”
MountainBased Adventures
Salt Lake City
Camping / Hiking / Thru-hiking
“Third generation adventure travel company specializing in guided small group adventures to National Parks throughout the intermountain West.”
Washington
Camping / Hiking / Thru-hiking / Climbing / Mountaineering / Skiing / Snowboarding / Snowshoeing
Alpine Andy
Everett
Camping / Hiking / Thru-hiking / Skiing / Snowboarding / Snowshoeing
Olympic Hiking Co.
Port Angeles
Camping / Hiking / Thru-hiking / Trailhead shuttles
“They’ll hook you up with group and private day hikes or backpacking trips, trailhead shuttles and more, and provide all the expensive, activity specific gear you need!”
San Juan Island Outfitters
San Juan Island
Biking / Camping / Hiking / Thru-hiking / Rafting / Kayaking / Canoeing
“We have been the exclusive kayak operator for REI Adventures tours across all of Washington state since 2009.”
Canada
Camping / Hiking / Thru-hiking
Chile
Chulengo Expeditions
Patagonia
Camping / Hiking / Thru-hiking
“In wild and remote Patagonia, we run backpacking and horse-supported trekking expeditions that build outdoor skills, offer space for reflection, and deepen connection to place.”
United Kingdom
Camping / Hiking / Thru-hiking, Climbing / Mountaineering, Skiing / Snowboarding / Snowshoeing / Multi-Adventure trips
International
Camping / Hiking / Thru-hiking, Climbing / Mountaineering, Skiing / Snowboarding / Snowshoeing
Thank You for Visiting the Quandary Magazine Guide Directory — Version 1.2
This list will be periodically updated as we receive new submissions from the community. Last updated 1/30/2025. You can help grow the guide network by making a submission at the link below.
If work like this in the outdoor community is valuable to you, consider supporting Quandary Magazine. We are an independently run outdoor newsletter, promoting access to responsible recreation.
This is a wonderful idea and is something that is missing from the outdoor community. Thank you for putting this together Cole!
I am an outdoor outfitter based in Wisconsin that would love to be added to the list!