Isle Royale LGBTQIA+ Backpacking Adventure
Trip Dates: July 21, 2026 - July 26, 2026
Pre-Trip Orientation: July 10, 2026
This July, The Venture Out Project is excited to announce an inclusive, exciting 5-night LGBTQIA+ adult backcountry backpacking trip in collaboration with Wilderness Inquiry in Isle Royale National Park. TVOP's Twin Cities Volunteer Program chapter hosted a private version of this collaborative trip in the Boundary Waters in the summer of 2025, and it was hugely successful. We are thrilled to offer this exceptional, affordable backpacking adventure for queer and trans folks again!
This trip has been thoughtfully designed by queer folks, is led by queer folks, and is for queer folks. There will be a total of 10 adults in the group, including 3 instructors, providing a supportive group experience.
You do not need to be a seasoned outdoor expert, nor have any prior backpacking experience to join this trip, but you should feel comfortable being in remote wilderness, being on your feet all day, close to and on open bodies of water and being on a ferry, participating in physical activity for several days in a row, and sleeping in tents! This program is intended for participants 18+. We'll gather on July 10th for a pre-trip meeting.
A detailed itinerary, along with pre-trip meeting info, a packing list, and location details, will be shared with all registered participants upon signup.
Daily Mileage and Elevation Gain for this Trip:
Day 1: Travel to route start from Minneapolis, camp overnight.
Day 2: 2.7 miles, 50 ft ascent / 58 feet descent
Day 3: 4 miles, 8 ft ascent / 7 ft descent
Day 4: 3.8 miles, 247 ft ascent / 240 ft descent
Day 5: 6.1 miles, 247 ft ascent / 246 ft descent
Day 6: Travel back to Minneapolis.
GENERAL INFO
Location: Isle Royale, Michigan (Michif Piyii (Métis) and Anishinabewaki (ᐊᓂᔑᓈᐯᐗᑭ) lands.
Parking: Parking is not allowed at Wilderness Inquiry. Ride shares will be coordinated at the July 10th orientation.
Meet: July 21, 2026 at 8 am
Route: 17 miles over 4 days
Cost: $350 per participant. All transportation, lodging, food and group gear is included in the trip fee. We will be able to accommodate different dietary needs, and participants will be asked to supply their own outdoor appropriate clothing.
Bring: A suggested packing list for personal gear and clothing will be shared with participants after registration, and Wilderness Inquiry will supply all of the essential outdoor and camping gear.
COVID SAFETY
Masks are not required during this event, however they are welcomed if wearing one allows you to better engage with the group. PLEASE be mindful of your own and group safety. If you or anyone in your household are not feeling well, do not participate in this event.
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Of course you can always hike for free on your own. What we are offering is not just a wilderness trip, but a chance to create community. On a TVOP trip, you will meet people with shared identities, have meaningful experiences and conversations in community, have someone else plan the logistics of your adventures including food and gear, and have certified Wilderness First Responders on hand should you ever need one. All of the money we collect goes towards operating costs for our programs.
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Information for our land acknowledgment was gathered from nativeland.ca, which provides an estimate of original indigenous land occupation, but does not take into account migratory patterns or movement of the many surrounding communities. We recognize the historical complexity of indigenous movement across the land, and honor with gratitude the many, many surviving native nations whose land we benefit from in our work to diversify the outdoors.