Mountain Roots Ramblers Backpacking Camp 2026
This summer, Mountain Roots will be adventuring for another year of Backpacking Camp with rising 7th-11th grade teenagers in a short, yet immersive Nature Connection experience.
Campers will have the opportunity to work together to navigate, get from campsite to campsite (with an optional swimming hole adventure or two along the way), do camp chores, and embrace being unplugged. All Ramblers Backpacking Camp participants carry their own gear in a backpacking-style pack, including a portion of the group gear and food.
Research shows 72 hours on a backpacking trip can reset the nervous system and calm us human beings. The Mountain Roots staff can confirm that this is indeed true--from our personal backpacking experiences as well as our experience with Ramblers in the past.
Ramblers Backpacking Camp takes place in Pisgah National Forest (Pisgah Ranger District). Additional information about the location of Base Camp will be provided to families after registration. Please Note: Monday's camp runs from 9am-4pm as a prep day (so your camper will stay with you on that night). The backpacking trip runs from Tuesday at 9am to Friday at 3pm. Our staff are Wilderness First Responders and seasoned backpackers and wilderness guides.
Mountain Roots Ramblers backpacking camp is July 6-11, 2026 in Pisgah National Forest.
This is an opportunity for Nature Connection and inspiration. Campers get to sleep out in the wilderness, star gazing at night and exploring during the day as they travel through Pisgah National Forest with new friends, learning and growing while adding physical and mental health resources to their toolkits.
Our Ramblers Camp provides an opportunity for campers to learn basic backpacking skills–including packing a pack, camp set up, outdoor cooking, a range of backcountry knots, sanitation, Leave No Trace, traveling and navigating in the wilderness, safety and risk management, small group skills including communication and navigating group dynamics.
Monday is a prep day--Regular day camp hours--9am-4pm)
Tuesday-Friday--Drop off at 9am at Forest Camp Base camp for 3 night Backpacking Trip in Pisgah National Forest. Pick up is on Friday at 3pm from Forest Camp Base Camp
Ramblers Backpacking Camp will use Mountain Roots Forest Camp as the Base Camp--this site is a group campsite in Pisgah National Forest (near the Visitor Center)--about 15 minutes from Brevard. Families will be given additional information on location and logistics after they are registered.
Mountain Roots provides meals from Tuesday lunch-Friday lunch.
All group gear is provided including:
Participants are responsible for providing their own personal gear including: (Note: Mountain Roots is working on a gear rental program--more info will be provided)
Mountain Roots Ramblers Backpacking Camp is a time to learn some skills and enjoy the simplicity and inspiration of the natural world!
Please contact Mountain Roots if you have any questions.