Kicking off the new year with some ideas of getting outdoors more, but what if you are new to outdoor adventures, need others who can give you some tips, make new outdoor adventure buddies or new to town?

We have you covered! We wanted to pull together a list of groups to get you outdoors more in 2026. Let us know what you think. If you know of other groups, we can add them here, too! Let’s go!!!

Some partners are based in southwest Washington and there are other regional partners that adventure in our broader Vancouver - Portland region. Many list their events on a variety of apps, so check each one for specific media connections.

A group of young adults are hiking in the summer on a forest trail — **Washington Trails Association**

**Someone to Hike With - Hiking Groups and Resources:** Whether you’re new to the Pacific Northwest or simply enjoy laughter and companionship on the trail, finding the right hiking partner or group is one of the best things you can do to improve your experiences on the trail. Browse our partial list of organizations, classes and websites to help connect you with your ideal outdoor adventure.
Check out their website or WTA Trailblazer app.

Outdoor Afro

Join Year-Round Adventures: Monthly volunteer leader-led trips help strengthen connections to land, water, and wildlife. The Outdoor Afro App is more than a trails app—it’s your gateway to connection, adventure, and belonging. Whether you’re seeking new experiences, sharing knowledge, or finding your adventure squad for the next great escape, the Outdoor Afro App is an extension of our mission to encourage and support Black leadership, wellness, and community in nature.

Latino Outdoors

Latino Outdoors inspires and connects comunidades to the outdoors, centering cultura, celebrating familia and heritage, and uplifting our history and leadership as part of the outdoor experience. Latino Outdoors envisions a world where our comunidades experience nature as a safe, inclusive, and welcoming space, where we can share and celebrate our stories while fostering leadership and building a vibrant community of people who love and care for the outdoors. Visit their Insta @lopdxoregon

VIVE Northwest

VIVE Northwest works to minimize (and remove) the barriers to support the Latino/a and BIPOC communities to accessing the outdoors, harnessing stewardship opportunities, and obtaining information to protect health. A variety of opportunities including stewardship, day adventures, weekend adventures, and more. Learn more at the web page and Insta @vive_nw

POCO (People of Color Outdoors PDX)

POCO serves BIPOC individuals and White parents of BIPOC children by creating healing outdoor experiences that build deep connections with nature and community, develop environmental leaders, and normalize BIPOC presence in natural spaces. All people are at their best when they spend regular time in nature. We also believe that it's important for all people to feel welcome and included in a community. It can be challenging for BIPOC and White parents of BIPOC children to find a caring community. Visit their Insta @pdx_poco

Outdoor Asian Washington

Outdoor Asian is a diverse and inclusive community of Asian and Pacific Islanders in the outdoors. This Facebook group is for members to access official Outdoor Asian events, meet new friends, be in a supportive, beginner-friendly space, share stories and engage with content related to AAPIs and the outdoors. Learn more at the web page and Insta @outdoorasianwa

A woman in a shite and yellow shirt looking through binoculars with trees in the background — **BIRDHERS**

BIRDHERS is a bird watching club for womin, Trans and non-binary people to build community by walking together, being present in nature, observing the flora and fauna, sharing knowledge and curiosity about the world around us. Through the lens of bird watching, we strive to create a safe, accessible space in nature for people outside of the white cis-hetero patriarchy that has historically dominated this practice. Visit their Insta @birdherspdx

Queer Mountaineers

The goals of the Queer Mountaineers is to provide community, events, resources, and a safe space for outdoor enthusiasts of all backgrounds and genders. To provide access to skills, gear, technical training, affordable-access courses, discounts, and other resources that will help improve accessibility. Visit their Insta @queer.mountaineers

Hike-it-Baby

Community-Led Outings: Hike-it-Baby outings are led by volunteer Outside Guides, caregivers like you who create safe, welcoming outdoor gatherings for families with babies and young children. Whether it’s your first time on a trail or your fiftieth, you belong here. We support families with children ages 0–5 through free, community-led outings, caregiver-informed trail resources, and the opportunity to step into shared leadership as part of a growing, inclusive network. Vancouver based group on Facebook here or Insta @hike.it.baby

Forever Young Hikers

The City of Vancouver’s Parks, Recreation & Cultural Service’s Forever Young Hiking program (part of the 50 & Better program) offers hiking experiences with ratings from easy to difficult. All hikes are led by a trained hiking volunteer and meet at trailheads throughout the region, transportation is not provided. Our 50 and Better program is designed to help you stay active, social and engaged as you embrace the best years of your life!

Mt. St. Helen’s Club

Active adventures in Southwest Washington & Northwest Oregon. The Mt. St. Helen’s Club hosts outdoor activities like hiking, walking, biking, kayaking & snowshoeing, plus group social activities like potlucks, lunches and weekend getaways. New members are always welcome. Based in Longview, WA, learn more at their web page and Facebook group @MtStHelensClub.

There are lots of other groups that are regional or statewide, so keep on searching for groups that meet you needs and interests. Other groups may use apps such as MeetUp and may be more specific to your adventures.

LCNN does not endorse any specific group, nor can guarantee information on events or activities listed.

As always, be safe out there, hike with a buddy, be prepared (10 essentials, at a minimum), let folks know where you are going (and when you expect to be back, and Leave No Trace (pack out all of your stuff).

Image Sources: from each organization, as listed

Explore Outdoors! Who are you heading out with this year?

Washington Trails Association