REI Sells Incredible Adventure Packages

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Listen, I know it's a bit rich coming from me, the guy telling you all the best stuff you can buy on Black Friday (like tech products, smartwatches, AirPods, Amazon-products, HOKA shoes, TheraGuns, and menswear). But, let me be clear, that's just my job. People are going to shop on Black Friday, and I look at products all day, so I have to tell them which deals are worth buying.

But what am I really shopping right now? REI's approach to November sales. There's deals all month leading up to Black Friday, but when the actual day comes, the stores lock up and the site goes dark. The #OptOutside campaign is corny, but I fully support it.

This whole journey somehow led me to REI's guided adventures section. That's right, the co-op has a new(ish) wing of its operation that plays full-on travel agency and guide service. The trips are U.S. only, but instead of calling guides in middle-of-fucking-nowehere Tennessee and comparing rates, REI does it all for you. Buy a package, and your entire adventure is set up—all you have to do is get to the meeting point.

The prices are also incredibly reasonable, given how much easier it is to book this way. And if you're a member (which only involves a one-time $30 payment ) there's even further discounts. Experience shopping is the way to go. Get one for yourself instead of Black Friday shopping, or hey, these obviously make great fucking holiday gifts.

Cumberland Island - Backpack and Kayak

I've seen a ton of American parks, and nothing feels as unique as going down south and exploring Georgia's barrier islands. Maybe I, a Georgia Boy, am biased, but The Peach State's coastline is mostly protected, undeveloped, and wild—a rarity on the East Coast.

REI's backpacking and kayaking trip will show you the two sides of any low-country coastal area—beautiful beaches and rugged marshes. See sunrises on the beach and camp at the ruins of Andrew Carnegie's 1800s mansion, now only inhabited by wild horses.

REI Members save 10% thru November 20th

Santa Fe - Lodge Based Hiking

Any Georgia O'Keefe fans out there? Why did the greatest painter of the American West live largely outside any art historical movement? Because she lived somewhere as strikingly beautiful as Northern New Mexico.

See O'Keefe's former residence, Ghost Ranch, as well as Santa Fe's art galleries and historic city streets... And yeah, you do spend some time outdoors with beginner-level hikes each day. All that, plus the fact that all three nights are spent in a comfortable hotel, make this a great option for anyone that's not that into the whole backcountry thing.

REI Members save 10% thru November 20th

Rocky Mountain National Park - Hike and Camp

But if you're really into the backcountry thing, I'm going to have to suggest the Rockies be at the top of your list. The massive mountain range is the pinnacle of America's natural beauty, and the national park is one of our most famous.

On this trip you'll hit peaks over 10,000ft above sea-level, drive one of the nation's most scenic highways, and take in some beautiful alpine meadows and wildlife.

Every night you return to the same camp with oversized tens and guide-cooked meals. It's not quite glamping, but most adventurers will find the digs plenty comfortable.

REI Members save 10% thru November 20th

Isle Royale National Park (Michigan) - Kayak and Hike

Isle Royale is one of those national parks that many people have no idea exists. It's a remote archipelago off Michigan's upper peninsula, near the Canadian border. This trip puts you on the water and sticks around the namesake largest island.

You'll see old lighthouses and fish camps, enjoy hot-cooked meals, and (if you're lucky) hear some wolf howls as you sit around the fire.

REI Members save 10% thru November 20th

Great Smoky Mountains - Family Adventure

It's another easily forgotten park, but Great Smoky Mountains National Park is actually a UNESCO World Heritage Site because it's one of the most biodiverse areas on the entire planet. Seriously, look it up.

Because of that, as well as its relatively easy to traverse terrain, it's a phenomenal place to stage a family trip. REI's adventure gets you and your crew hiking, whitewater rafting, zip lining, and checking out abandoned moonshining caves. And back to the biodiversity: If you've got any little nerd children (I was one!) the guides on this trip are certified naturalists capable of fielding every question about trees, animals, and bugs.

Also available as an Adults-Only trip

California's Lost Coast - Backpack

California's coastline is hands-down one of the most beautiful stretches of land on Earth. For that reason, it's absolutely overrun with people. Ever tried to secure a campsite near Big Sur? Good luck.

The best place to see NoCal's untouched coast is in the super remote Lost Coast region. Only a day's drive from San Francisco, it's surprisingly remote and rugged, so going with a guide is a good idea.

This trip is a bit more strenuous, with a lot of sandy hiking and backcountry meals. But seeing the misty sunset while pitching a tent and starting a fire on the beach is something very few of your friends will have ever done.

Utah National Parks Ultimate Experience

Southern Utah is home to five of America's most beautiful national parks. Full disclosure, this is a long trip, a full week. It's not backpacking, but the hikes are at higher altitudes so they feel a bit tougher.

That said, it's an out-there area of the U.S., so the best way to do it is to see all the parks at once. This trip does that with a good deal of comfort and plenty of expert knowledge.

Yellowstone - Family Adventure

Ok, if you've never done Yellowstone, you kind of have to. The dates for this trip are smack in the middle of summer. Admittedly, it's the best time to see the park, but expect it to be busy.

With that disclaimer out of the way, anyone with kids should really really go see Yellowstone. It's our first National Park, and it's one of the most significant.

The REI camp is centrally located, which sets you up better than the rest of the park population for seeing all the cool stuff: Wildlife, springs, and mountains. Plus, returning to the same camp every night (complete with dedicated camp host) makes it feel more like a hotel stay.

Big Bend National Park (Texas) - Lodge Based Hike

Big Bend National Park sits in a lovely pocket of low light pollution. Far away enough from San Antonia and El Paso-Juarez, there's few other places in the U.S. with naked-eye star gazing this magical. It's honestly worth the price of admission.

But on top of that, you drive through Texas's Mountain Region, seeing big ranch style landscapes. You go through Marfa, so you can take the obligatory Instagram pic at the Prada store. And, every night is spent in cool, Texas-style digs: Oil boom hotels, ghost towns, and ranch homes.

Yosemite Under 35 - Hike and Camp

Hey! Wanting to see the beauty of America's wilderness and not being a retiree is... fucking tough. If you want to do the whole road trip and adventure thing amongst people your own age, this is a great trip to do it. Everyone is between 18 and 35, and the three-days' worth of hikes take you past Sequoias and breathtaking Pacific Crest vistas.

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