11 Ways to Connect with Other Outdoor Women

When I started getting into hiking after college, there weren’t a lot of online blogs out there that I could relate to. Mostly what I found was manly men doing only Type II fun outdoor activities and as a late outdoor bloomer, I wondered what resources and outdoor communities were out there for me.

Whether you are looking for a new female hiking buddy, a supportive group of women with which to learn a new outdoor skill, or girlfriends that will say YES to adventure, this blog post includes helpful tips for finding an awesome group of ladies to bond with over a mutual love of nature.

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1) Sign up for an all-women’s class or trip

If there’s an outdoor activity that you’re interested in, but you don’t have the skill set to get out there on your own, consider joining an all-women’s course or trip.

I recently participated in a 4 day all-womens ski camp, and I went from being a scared and intimidated skier to leading my small female pack down some of the steepest runs at Alta. Imagine the things that can do for your confidence!

Here are a few companies to check that offer women-only classes and guided trips:

• REI
• MeetUp
• Explorer Chick
• Backcountry Babes
• Becoming an Outdoors Woman

2) Look for outdoor women’s Facebook groups

Social media can be a powerful tool for meeting new friends. When searching for “outdoor women” on Facebook, you’ll find that there are a number of female-only Facebook groups spread all around the nation. Some are focused on interests while others are focused on destinations.

Here’s a few of our favorites:

• Outdoorsy Gals
• All Women, All Trails
• Solo Female Van Life
• Ladies of the John Muir Trail
• The Appalachian Trail: Women’s Group
• PNW Outdoor Women Group

3) Join a climbing gym

I’ve heard some women say that they met their best female friends at the climbing gym. If you want to find women to go climbing with, hit up your local climbing gym and don’t be shy.

Put your harness on and go up to the first group of women you see. Tell them you’re new at the gym and ask if one of them needs a belayer.

4) Check the bulletin board at your local yoga studio, coffee shop, or grocery coop.

Think about the common stomping grounds in your town that outdoorsy people like to hang out at and check out their bulletin board.

See what’s going on or if you’re feeling brave, leave a note that you are a woman looking for a female hiking, climbing, or biking buddy. If you’re weirded out by leaving your contact number, create a new email address just for this purpose.

5) Volunteer at a beach cleanup or trail restoration event

You’re likely to find other outdoor women at conservation-focused volunteer events. Check with your local environmental non-profits to see what events are coming up and how you can help. Then when you are at the event, mingle with the other ladies who are there and spark up a conversation about your outdoor interests.

6) Follow women’s specific hashtags on Instagram

Just in case you don’t know how a hashtag on Instagram works, adding a hashtag to a photo is just a way to tag it with a keyword. So if you search the hashtag #outdoorwomen on Instagram, you’ll see all the photos with that hashtag. Over the past several years, a bunch of hashtags have collected millions of photos.

One that is gathering steam is #girltrek, founded by an organization that helps African American women change their lives and communities by walking outdoors together. Other popular ones are #sheexplores and #mountaingirls.

I suggest searching these hashtags and see what you find. Even if you don’t find people in your own community, you might make new friends on the web who could turn into real life friends.

I met my friend Kat Carney on the internet! I thought she was an awesome photographer, so I liked and commented on her photos, and now we’ve met up three times in person on camping trips.

7) Reach out directly to women you look up to

Reach out to your favorite local female outdoor photographer, athlete, podcast host, blogger, or any other outdoor woman you look up to. Maybe they’d be willing to meet up for a coffee or, even better, a hike?

Even if that’s not a possibility, my guess is they will be stoked to hear from you, and you can ask to be kept in the loop if they ever organize a meet-up.

8) Go to local talks by outdoor women

Check your local college or library and see if there are any outdoor or conservation talks that you might be interested in. Particularly those run by women will draw a female audience. Make sure to go up to the speaker at the end of the event and introduce yourself!

9) Contact your local chamber of commerce

It’s easy to forget that you have a local chamber of commerce whose entire job is to showcase events and groups in your community. Give them a ring and ask if they are aware of any female-focused community organizations that might be of interest. Even if they aren’t outdoor-focused, if there’s something you’re interested in, go. You never know who you’ll meet.

10) Take a hike

Want to find new women to hike with? Then go on a solo hike. Pick a trail that you are familiar with that’s not too far off the beaten path. Say hi, smile at people on the trail, and try to engage other females in conversation. Ask another girl about her backpack and whether or not she likes it. Want a picture of yourself? Skip the selfie and ask the nearest group of girls if they can snap a photo for you.

11) Be the organizer

Normally go out to dinner with your girlfriends? Why not take charge and suggest you go on a hike next time you get together. Maybe your female outdoor community is sitting right there in front of you, and you all just don’t know it yet.

Instead of happy hour, meet up at the trailhead on a Saturday morning. Or plan a weekend camping trip – memories that will last a lifetime. Here’s a few blog posts to help you plan an outdoorsy activity:

• Car Camping Essentials (+ Printable Packing List!)
• How To Choose A Hiking Trail
• Paddleboarding for Beginners