11 locations across 5 continents

Join us at Three Peaks Ranch for a unique Western adventure: horsepacking in the rugged mountains and deserts of Wyoming. Starting at our 120-acre ranch, you’ll learn to travel and camp with horses, exploring the Red Desert, Wind River Range or Absaroka Mountains. While it’s easy to arrange for a day ride in the West, a two- or three-week pack trip is a rare opportunity to truly immerse yourself in a beautiful, remote environment. Not only will you master the basics of backcountry horse travel, you’ll also find that working with horses is a great way to develop your leadership skills. Before you head into the field, you’ll spend several days camping at the ranch where our herd of 80 horses lives, familiarizing yourself with the horses and gear you’ll rely on in the backcountry. At Three Peaks, you’ll become part of a longstanding tradition of exploration on horseback: the ranch was first homesteaded in 1886 and some of the original buildings are still in use today. Come challenge yourself to learn new skills and effective communication—with both human and equine companions—in Wyoming’s rugged mountains and sweeping deserts.

Nestled on the Idaho side of the Tetons, and near Grand Teton and Yellowstone National Parks, our campus is your gateway to some of the best skiing, backpacking, and paddling in the lower 48. NOLS Teton Valley operates year-round and depending on the season, you might hike along the Continental Divide, paddle whitewater rapids, or backcountry ski in the snow-covered Rockies. In the summer and early fall, backpacking courses travel through the meadows of wildflowers in the mountains of western Wyoming, southern Montana, and eastern Idaho. During the warmer months, you can paddle the Salmon River through one of the West’s largest wilderness areas—the Frank Church River of No Return Wilderness—and develop your whitewater skills. When the snow starts to fall, you can take a backcountry ski or snowboarding course, skiing untouched powder and learning the art of winter camping. Before you set off into the backcountry, you’ll dive into avalanche education, snow science—and in some cases, ski lessons at a local resort. Leaving the crowds and lifts behind, you’ll enjoy the quiet, amazing snow, and sense of accomplishment from hard work well done. No matter what time of year you arrive, you can look forward to an unforgettable adventure in the beautiful, rugged landscapes of the West.

Come join us for the adventure of a lifetime! Start your expedition in the foothills of the Wind River Range at NOLS Rocky Mountain. Here in Lander, Wyoming, the first NOLS students started and ended their Wind River Wilderness course in 1965. Today, our campus is a hub for courses exploring the mountains, canyons, and rivers of Wyoming, South Dakota, Montana, Idaho, Colorado, Utah, and Nevada. Before and after your course heads into the field, you’ll stay at the historic Noble Hotel located in downtown Lander, right near our world headquarters. Then you’ll begin your adventure in the backcountry: you might backpack along high mountain ridges, navigate whitewater rapids, break trail in snow-covered mountains, or navigate some of the most remote glaciers in the lower 48. Depending on which course you choose, you’ll learn one or more technical skills—backpacking, mountaineering, rock climbing, canyoneering, white water kayaking and rafting, or horsepacking—in the diverse landscapes of the western U.S. Whether you’re ready for a semester-long exploration of the Rockies, a 30-day mountaineering expedition, or a two-week backpacking trip, you’ll find a course that matches your interests at NOLS Rocky Mountain. Our programs operate in some of the most dramatic landscapes of the intermountain West and we strive to provide every student with a positive, life-changing experience.

Join our crew of fun-loving adventurers at NOLS River Base to learn, live, and play on the water. Our campus lies in the foothills of the Uinta Mountains in dinosaur bone country, where geologic features burst with fossil life. It’s a land of contrasts: high mountain deserts interspersed with river corridors full of lush vegetation. On a river course, you’ll develop the boating skills you need to navigate whitewater rapids in a raft, kayak, or canoe. On some expeditions, you’ll follow up your river section with rock climbing in world-class destinations in Wyoming. No matter which course you choose, you’ll start out by getting to know your watercraft and gear. In the field, you’ll explore the winding canyons and river valleys of the Green, Yampa, or San Juan Rivers. After mastering the basics in quieter water, you’ll work your way up to more challenging sections of whitewater. Whether you’re paddling a canoe or kayak, rigging a raft, or working as a team to launch an oar rig, life on the water is about focusing on simple necessities and enjoying the process of moving downriver. You’ll find fun and challenges in a whitewater environment—and gain the experience you need to get your friends and family out on the water.

At NOLS Northeast, you’ll explore the heart of upstate New York’s Adirondack Park, one of the oldest and largest designated wilderness areas in the U.S. Here, only a few hours from several major cities, you’ll find access to world-class paddling, hiking, and rock-climbing opportunities. Whether you’ve slept in a tent before or not, you’ll probably camp on your first night at our campus, a great opportunity to test out your gear before heading into the backcountry. In the field, you might summit peaks like Dix Mountain, hiking up steep, rocky mountain trails till you reach the panoramic views and cool breezes at the top. Or you might canoe along ancient waterways that were once trade routes for the Iroquois, Algonquin, and other indigenous peoples. On some courses, you’ll participate in a service project, spending a day performing trail maintenance with the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC). For many students and instructors, the Adirondacks are the first place they explored and experienced the wilderness: a place they’ll always remember and return to.

Come join us at NOLS Alaska for an adventure in the Land of the Midnight Sun. At our campus, a 40-acre former dairy farm, you’ll enjoy open hay fields, the community orchard, as well as breathtaking views of the Talkeetna and Chugach mountain ranges. In the field, you’ll learn one or more technical skills—backpacking, mountaineering, or sea kayaking—in the famed Alaska backcountry. Whether you’re paddling a sea kayak in Prince William Sound alongside massive glaciers, hiking across the vast tundra above the Arctic Circle, or mountaineering in the Chugach Range, you’ll marvel at the enormity of the Alaskan wilderness. On a sea kayaking course, highlights of your trip may include spotting a humpback whale, observing a calving glacier, or catching wild salmon for dinner. On an expedition in the mountains, you’ll cheer when a bush plane suddenly materializes from behind a snow-capped mountain for a re-ration, carrying a fresh supply of food staples—including chocolate malt balls. On every course, expect a flexible schedule: with almost 20 hours of daylight at summer’s peak, backcountry travel is never truly limited by darkness. In fact, you might even complete a midnight peak ascent! As you explore Alaska, you’ll recalibrate not only your sense of scale, but also your self-confidence and competence in the outdoors.