Many outdoor advocacy groups see America’s national parks as facing a political crisis. DOGE and President Trump’s administration have openly targeted the National Park Service (NPS) with sweeping layoffs, budget cuts, office lease terminations, renewed mining leases, ending diversity-focused internship programs, and more.
That’s why Intrepid Travel just launched its new “Active-ism” trips. On June 3, the travel company announced two new road trips centered around national parks.
Guest activists will host the trips and lead discussions about the threats currently facing U.S. national parks and other issues pertinent to their health and preservation. The goal is to turn Intrepid’s paying guests into well-equipped park activists.
“This collection brings people together, bonded by the joy of travel and the desire to safeguard the beautiful landscapes, cultures, and communities they experience,” Leigh Barnes, president of the Americas for Intrepid Travel, told GearJunkie.
Intrepid Travel ‘Active-ism’: Explore Parks, Become an Activist
The first Active-ism trip will highlight Zion and Grand Canyon National Parks over 5 days of travel, hiking, and exploration. It will have two separate departures, each hosted by a different activist.
The first, on November 1, 2025, will be hosted by public lands advocate Alex Haraus. The second, on April 14, 2026, will be hosted by environmental advocate Wawa Gatheru.
Guests will hike in Zion, tour Monument Valley with a Navajo Guide, and explore the Grand Canyon’s Rim. Along the way, they’ll learn about Arizona’s history and the challenges the landscape and natives face today.
The other Active-ism trip is a 6-day excursion into Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks. Likewise, this trip will have two departures with two different hosts. The first leaves on June 7, 2026, with climate educator Michael Mezzatesta. The second leaves on June 14, 2026, with environmental author Leah Thomas.
Both the Yellowstone and Grand Teton trips will start in Grand Teton, highlighting the landscapes and wildlife. Then, guests will spend 3 days hiking Yellowstone’s northern and southern loops. They will even get to go wolf tracking with a naturalist wildlife guide.
Throughout both trips, activist hosts will pepper in talks about sustainability, climate change, Indigenous land rights, equity in the outdoors, and turning awareness into advocacy.
“Each host brings a unique perspective and proven commitment to climate advocacy, public lands protection, and community empowerment,” Barnes said. “They were chosen not only for their national influence and educational impact but also for their ability to engage diverse audiences and inspire action.”
For more details on the trips, like where guests stay and what to bring, visit the Intrepid Travel website. It’s worth noting that these trips require guests to bring their own gear.
Turning Paying Guests Into Activists
While the education may be priceless, the trip itself, like any other adventure travel, comes with a price. Barnes said Intrepid lowered the price of these trips to make them more accessible to more people. According to him, other trips with similar itineraries could cost around $600 more.
But at Intrepid’s price of $1,446 for the Zion/Grand Canyon itinerary, and $2,061 for the Yellowstone/Grand Teton itinerary, they’re still expensive. Activism and advocacy typically aren’t something you pay a company to do. Asked about the ethics of that, Barnes said these trips “aren’t about profit — they’re about purpose.”
“It’s about creating opportunities for people to connect with these landscapes in a meaningful way and be part of the movement to protect them,” he said. “Active-ism was built to raise awareness, elevate the voices of activists on the front lines, and give travelers the tools to become advocates themselves.”
Barnes believes that tourism can help support people and protect places, and he sees one of the major goals of these trips as awareness. Intrepid hopes to “foster discussion around the challenges facing U.S. national parks,” he said.
He added that these trips are part of Intrepid’s wider plan to donate $50,000 to NGOs supporting national parks. Barnes couldn’t offer more information about that immediately, but said more details would be available soon.
“These trips are a chance for people to connect with nature, learn from inspiring activists, and leave with a deeper understanding of how they can support and protect national parks,” he said. “As a values-driven company, Intrepid believes responsible tourism can play a key role in protecting these places.”
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