Wilderness and Backcountry

Travel Season

Many mountain trails are only open for a few months in the warmer times of the year. Different parks and different trails will have varying specific requirements, and we'll sort through those with you. Trails in desert parks may be ideal in winter. We can start with a destination and find the right season, or start with a preferred season and find you the right destination.

Reservations

Most backcountry sites on federal lands require reservations made on recreation.gov. Typically permits for a season become available on a particular date and fill up quickly. Often, walk-up permits are available on a limited basis for people with more flexible plans. The fact is that many popular trails have more demand than supply. But we'll provide the best information we can to secure a trip that meets your needs.

We will find you lodging for the nights before and after your backcountry days. We typically book 3-star hotels for our clients, but can find alternatives as needed.

By Air

Flying with camping supplies has its own challenges, but nothing we haven't done, and that can't be overcome with planning and some strategic luggage packing. We can advise on current TSA policies and help make a plan.

Shuttles

Depending on your other trip logistics, you may prefer to take a shuttle directly from the airport to your trailhead instead of renting a car. Alternatively, a shuttle may be necessary to transport you from one trailhead to the other, facilitating a point-to-point hike. We can find a local vendor to meet whatever shuttle needs you have.

Pricing

Usually, wilderness permits are not very expensive, often as little as $10-$20/campsite/night. The expensive parts of these sorts of trips tend to be the gear, which Wandersaurus does not provide, and the airfare (if needed) to get there, which Wandersaurus does not book for you. We can work with you on planning other pieces of your trip, which will work the same way as other custom trips. For planning the wilderness overnights, we will charge a flat rate of $100 for the first night, and $50 for each additional night.

Larger Groups

While some details of this trip were not designed with larger groups in mind, the itinerary has been done with groups of college students, and could be done with other age groups as well. Contact us to discuss!

Payment Policies

• Payments must be made by credit card. Specific restrictions may exist for certain lodging or activity vendors. 

• Wilderness planning fee + 20% of other expenses due at time of reservation

• Balance due 90 days before trip start date (If booking within 90 days of trip, full balance due at time of reservation)

• Planning fee is nonrefundable. Some additional portion of the deposit may be nonrefundable, as some excursions or activity fees (which will have been booked upon confirmation) are nonrefundable. Accommodations and transportation will generally be reserved as refundable.

• Fully refundable until 60 days before trip start, less wilderness planning fee and any nonrefundable excursions

• 50% refundable until 14 days before trip start, less wilderness planning fee

• If cancelling within 14 days of trip start, no refunds are given

Included In Your Package Price (unique wilderness components in italics)

• Bespoke itinerary - tailored as needed to suit your particular requirements

• Overnight accommodations and/or camping permits for all nights

• Rental car and/or other ground transportation as needed

• Maps of all driving routes

• Trail maps and trail descriptions for all recommended hikes, including USGS, NPS, or other official topographical maps for wilderness portions of trip

• “America the Beautiful” federal lands pass (grants access to all National Park Service facilities on the trip)

• Tickets to all museums included in trip plan

• Fees for any guided tours mentioned in trip plan

• Expert advice and local information, including packing suggestions

• Updated information on any changing conditions delivered in the weeks before your trip

• Carbon offset credits for the mileage driven along the main route of the itinerary

• Full support during your trip from the Wandersaurus Travel team (9:00 am until 9:00 pm Eastern Time)

Not Included

• Travel to and from your starting/ending points

• Gasoline, parking, and/or any other ground transportation expenses unless specified

• Meals unless specified

• Additional guided tours or excursions beyond those specified

• Tips/gratuities for any guides

• Travel insurance. Note: we recommend purchasing travel insurance via a certified insurance agency

• Backcountry or camping equipment of any kind.