Columbia Sportswear’s Guide to Outdoor Clubs

Going outside is a good thing, but sometimes it’s difficult to find other people to share the experience. By joining an outdoor club, you'll connect with like-minded individuals who share your passion for the outdoors. You’ll meet people who are eager to learn new skills and are enthusiastic about sharing their knowledge with others. Whether you're a beginner or expert or simply interested in discovering something new, joining an outdoor club is a great way to make connections.

There’s a rich tradition of outdoor clubs in the US and Canada. The Appalachian Mountain Club (AMC) holds the distinction of being the oldest outdoor club in the US. Today, with over 90,000 members nearly 150 years later, it continues to thrive. The Alpine Club of Canada (ACC), founded in 1906, boasts a strong legacy of preservation and exploration.

These clubs encompass a wide range of interests including running, climbing, birding, hiking, fishing, and more. Ultimately, joining a club is not only a cool experience but also a solid way to forge lifelong friendships.

These clubs are designed to keep you motivated, introduce you to new experiences in a safe environment, and help you develop specialized skills. By joining an outdoor club, you gain access to skills courses, group outings, bucket-list trips. They also provide an excellent opportunity to stay active, travel, and become part of a community.

Here are some of our favorite organizations that offer affordable outdoor trips and courses of all kinds. By joining any of these reputable outdoor clubs, you'll be embarking on the path to a lifetime of adventure. Plus, many of them provide significant savings on gear, lodging and domestic and international travel.

Founded in 1892 by preservationist John Muir, the Sierra Club is one of the world’s foremost environmental protection organizations. It's also an ideal community for anyone interested in hiking, climbing, backpacking, birding, kayaking, canoeing, and mountaineering. Each year, Sierra Club volunteers lead over 15,000 trips, ranging from free afternoon hikes to multi-day excursions both domestically and internationally. These trips are affordably priced and offer the opportunity to explore some of the world’s most beautiful landscapes with a focus on preservation and cultural appreciation.

The Sierra Club is committed to making the outdoors accessible to everyone, regardless of age, ability, or interest. They offer specific programs tailored to affinity groups such as individuals with disabilities, veterans, women, LGBTQIA+ communities, and collaborate with various community organizations.

Based in Livingston, Montana, Fly Fishers International champions fly fishing and the conservation of fish habitats worldwide. The organization serves as a hub connecting enthusiasts with over 250 local clubs and affiliates across the United States. FFI offers specialized groups for female anglers, youth, and other focused groups.

Members benefit from a vast library of skill-building courses covering casting, fly tying, and more. Additionally, members get discounts on equipment, travel, and access to loaner gear.

Established in Michigan in 1959, Trout Unlimited boasts approximately 300,000 members globally dedicated to conserving, protecting, and restoring America’s cold-water fisheries and their watersheds. The organization also provides numerous volunteer opportunities focused on habitat restoration for trout and salmon. There are 376 chapters spanning from Maine to California, ensuring there’s likely one in your vicinity. Membership offers benefits such as TROUT Magazine, a variety of activities, and discounts on travel and fishing gear.

Founded in the early 1970s, at a time when Black Americans were rare on ski slopes and black ski clubs were uncommon, the National Brotherhood of Skiers sought to make a significant impact. Today, it is one of the world’s largest snowsport organizations, collaborating with numerous ski and outdoor clubs nationwide. The annual NBS Black Summit is held each year at a premier ski area; it’s an event that’s not to be missed.

The club's mission is twofold: to identify, develop, and support athletes of color who excel in international and Olympic winter sports representing the United States, and to promote greater participation in winter sports among all demographics. Emphasizing inclusivity, the National Brotherhood of Skiers welcomes members of diverse racial backgrounds, religions, genders, sexual orientations, and other identities.

Since its inception in 1902, the American Alpine Club has united adventurers and conservationists in their commitment to land preservation, climbing, exploration, and adventure. John Muir, the champion of Yosemite National Park, served as the AAC’s second president.

One of the AAC’s flagship events is the annual Craggin’ Classics, community-based climbing gatherings featuring guest speakers, film screenings, skills clinics led by professional athletes, and locally sourced food and beverages. Held in renowned climbing destinations such as Bishop, CA; Moab, UT; and Mt. Rumney, NH, these events provide excellent opportunities for everyone from novices to experts to connect.

Outdoor Afro is a national organization dedicated to enhancing the Black outdoor experience, although participation is open to all. Over 100 volunteers organize and lead activities such as kayaking, fishing, hiking, swimming, and gardening. Outdoor Afro has engaged over 60,000 people in outdoor adventures, with chapters in more than 32 states and over 60 cities across the US. You can discover local events through Outdoor Afro's MeetUp site.

Founded in 1876, the Appalachian Mountain Club was originally formed to preserve public lands in the White Mountains of New Hampshire. Today, the AMC continues its legacy by fostering education, exploration, and building outdoor communities across the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic regions.

The club is renowned for its network of lodges and campgrounds, including the White Mountain Hut System, Pinkham Notch and Crawford Lodges, Bear Mountain/Harriman Lodges, and Fire Island Cabin in New York. Additionally, the Mohican Outdoor Center in New Jersey, situated within the Delaware National Recreation Area, offers extensive outdoor education opportunities.

A longstanding tradition of the AMC is its annual "August Camp," hosting 64 campers per week at various locations. The location of the August camp rotates to locations throughout the US and Canada.

Located in Golden, Colorado, the Colorado Mountain Club offers a gateway to experiencing the true Rocky Mountain High. With over a dozen monthly activities along the Rocky Mountain Front Range, the club also organizes affordably priced guided trips worldwide. Activities range from easy day hikes to tackling Colorado's famous 14ers, and even more ambitious climbs like Mt. Rainier, peaks in the Alps, Andes, or Himalayas.

In addition to hiking and mountaineering, the club specializes in snowshoeing, backcountry skiing, and hosts a variety of outdoor skills clinics. Group sizes are small and cater to everyone from novices to seasoned experts. Even if you're not a Colorado resident, joining CMC for a week-long course or climb offers an excellent introduction to the vertical world.

Founded in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada in 1906, the initial purpose of the Alpine Club of Canada was to provide a space for like-minded individuals to share their love for the mountains and push the boundaries of mountain exploration. Over the years, the ACC has expanded its umbrella to include not only passionate rock, mountain and ice climbers but hikers, skiers and outdoor enthusiasts of all disciplines. The AAC has 25 local sections across the country from Newfoundland and Labrador to Vancouver Island and the Yukon. You can sign up for skills and leadership courses, fun adventures, and even photography courses. A big bonus to membership is access to the club’s extensive network of hostels and huts with family-friendly, low-cost accommodations in alpine meadows, backcountry powder paradises, remote climbers’ refuges and everything in between.

Founded in 1894 atop Mt. Hood, the Mazamas Club, based in Portland, Oregon, is committed to conservation, outdoor education, and mountaineering in the Pacific Northwest. Each year, dedicated volunteers lead over 700 hikes, 300 climbs, and numerous skills clinics. The club boasts a spacious lodge near Government Camp at the foot of Mount Hood, with convenient access to year-round recreational activities. To join, members must have summited a glaciated peak, which is actually easier than you might think.

If you live in Washington and have a passion for outdoor sports, consider joining the Mountaineers. Established in 1906, the Mountaineers have introduced tens of thousands of people to hiking, rock climbing, sailing and skiing. With approximately 13,000 members, the club benefits from the expertise of 2,000 skilled volunteers who lead activities. The skills courses are first rate; membership also gives you access to five lodges across Washington state, along with clubhouses in Seattle and Tacoma.

Based in San Francisco, the Outdoor Adventure Club is both a club and fully accredited professional guide service. For $199 a year, you can participate in weekly bike rides and hikes in the greater San Francisco area. OAC also organizes day and multi-day trips that include skiing, rafting, and climbing. Membership includes benefits such as complimentary rental equipment, and substantial discounts on longer activities and skills clinics. The "Ultimate" membership, at $3,000 annually, gives you free weekend trips to premier outdoor destinations throughout California.

Joining a bass club is a terrific way to connect with like-minded individuals in your area who share your passion for fishing. Whether you're looking for casual fishing buddies or interested in friendly competitions, bass clubs offer a great community. Search for "Bass Clubs Near Me" to find local clubs. If you're keen on competitions, inquire if they are affiliated with organizations like TBF (The Bass Federation) or B.A.S.S. Nation. These clubs are excellent resources for learning new skills, finding the right gear, discovering new fishing spots, and getting involved in the bass fishing community.

This prestigious international Explorers Club is dedicated to outdoor exploration and scientific inquiry. Located in a historic building on New York’s Central Park, its clubhouse has served as a gathering place for adventurers and explorers for nearly two centuries. Past members include President Theodore Roosevelt, aviator Charles Lindbergh, deep-sea diver Jacques Cousteau, astronaut Neil Armstrong, and mountaineer Sir Edmund Hillary. Today, the club boasts members who are among the world’s leading divers, astronauts, mountaineers, and climate scientists. The Explorers Club hosts engaging events like film screenings and lectures, many of which are open to the public.