After six years of living in Arkansas, each season’s beauty still overwhelms me. We boast of the sights in the Ozarks because we fully believe it’s a place of wonder. There’s something about these hills that call you to come see. Still, at 5’3″, I know I’ll be bear food if I make the trek alone.

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What better way to interact with nature and explore the rich terrain of the Ozarks than a guided backpack tour. Of course, if you’re a pro, you can go at it alone, but a guided backpack tour is perfect for someone with curiosity and little experience.

The Ozark Trail in Arkansas offers 360 miles of adventurous terrain. And, in Missouri, the Mark Twain National Forest has more than 750 miles of hiking trails–both suitable for taking a backpacking trip through the Ozarks.

Guided backpacking offers:

• Safety: Your guide is an expert. They know the paths, the wildlife, and how to navigate each unique terrain.
• Cost-Savings: Hiking gear is an expensive investment. A guided tour will provide all the necessary equipment.
• Experience: Guided excursions are a great way to gauge your interest in the activity without all the investment.
• Logistics: Your tour is planned out by the host. They’ll know where to go, when to stop, and what supplies to bring along.

If you’re planning a family vacation to the Ozarks, add a guided backpack tour to your “to-do” list. You can enjoy the unique beauty this area has to offer while maximizing safety and minimizing costs. Your tour experts will plan, pack, and protect you while you just take in the amazing sites around you.

We’ve put together a compilation of recommended tips and tours to help you make your Ozark travel plans easier.

Backpacking Classes Offered in the Ozarks

Guided backpacking is an excellent option if you’ve never gone before. Backpacking in the wilderness requires extensive knowledge about navigating trails and surviving off the beaten path. While it sounds like an adventure to be had, it could end in disaster without the proper knowledge.

A group in the Ozarks offers guided backpacking tours, but maybe you’d like to learn these ways and eventually take off on your own. Lewis & Clark provides backpacking classes to equip you with valuable information and expert insight. Take the intro to backpacking classes and learn how to:

• Pack and dress in the right gear.
• Cook in the wilderness with the right equipment.
• Treat your drinking water in the wild.
• Provide medical aid for common hiking injuries.
• Navigate the land without a digital tool.

The classes offered by Lewis & Clark Outfitters are all free. They’re just offering an opportunity to learn and make some like-minded friends. As an added bonus, the course ends with a real-life trip through Devil’s Den State Park, which does have a small fee. However, for between $30-$50, you get an adventure and a lesson in one as you apply your newly acquired skill in a practical setting.

Ozark National Forest Guided Backpacking Tour

Whether you’ve taken the courses and want a more in-depth backpacking trip or you’ve never had any previous experience at all, 37 North Expedition is your answer. This group offers guided backpacking trips for beginners and experts alike.

What specifically attracts me to this service is the unique themes offered here. The guides will choose the most scenic routes to take depending on the season. Go in the fall to explore the woods while you take in the vibrant warm colors of the slumbering forest.

During the Spring, you can catch waterfalls with the group, yes please! 37 North Expedition offers one- or two-night guided backpacking trips. Excursions are tailored to your group’s desires and can be unassisted, semi-assisted, or fully assisted. Let’s define what that means:

• Unassisted: Your guide is there to help you navigate the area and ensure your safety.
• Semi-Assisted: You carry some supplies and provide some provisions, but so does your guide.
• Fully Assisted: You do the hiking, and they do the feeding, carrying, and setting up camp.

Make life-long friends, take in breath-taking sights, and get just a little closer to the outdoors. Regardless of what type of guided tour you seek during your Ozark backpacking vacation, 37 North Expeditions provides shuttle services, an expert backpacking guide, and equipment available to rent. You can check out their pricing and availability on their website.

Why Start with a Guided Tour

Backpacking is perhaps the most peaceful way to disconnect from busy life and just appreciate the serene nature around you. There are limitless backpacking opportunities in the Ozarks. The Ozarks National Forest alone offers more than a million acres to discover. A guided tour can help you gain experience and confidence while working up to being an independent pro. Learn the best gear to wear and pack. Observe how to cook while also leaving behind no trace. Enjoy the trip under the supervision of an expert.

Ready to Plan Your Trip?

Check out available dates and trips with 37 North Expeditions, and then start planning your Ozarks family vacation.

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