Women Outdoors upcoming events

Bluebells Hike 2026 - A Perennial Favorite (14 Apr 2026)

Tue, 14 Apr 2026 14:00:00 GMT

Spring wildflowers grace hiking trails throughout the area after the vernal equinox, but one little bloom is especially captivating: the Virginia bluebell. These little blue beauties burst forth in exuberant abundance at Riverbend Park in Fairfax County, VA. We've done this hike many a time and it still remains one of our favorites.

We'll take the Potomac Heritage Trail along the Potomac River toward Great Falls. Most of the terrain is flat, but be sure and wear sturdy shoes or hiking boots because parts of the trail could be muddy.

The plan is for the group to walk all the way down to Great Falls Park and back for a total distance of ~5-6 miles. The pace will be a leisurely stroll with plenty of time for picture taking and enjoying the views of the river and bluebells.

Bring your camera and binoculars on this picturesque hike as well as a picnic lunch for afterwards. If it's too cold for a picnic, there's always the option of going out for lunch instead.

Doggies are welcome to come on this hike but must be on leash at all times.

This free activity is open to members and non-members of Women Outdoors. Non-members are welcome to attend two WO events as guests. On your third event, we'll ask you to join the Mid-Atlantic Region of Women Outdoors. You can also join right now by clicking on this Join Us link.

Registration closes on Sunday, April 12.

Bring:

Water and snacks
Brown bag lunch
Binoculars (optional)

Please respect the trip leaders and other members and arrive on time - 10:00 a.m.

IMPORTANT: The automatic confirmation email will contain the exact meeting location for this event (scroll all the way to the bottom of the email). Please save it or print it out in case there is not cell coverage in the area.

RSVP and Cancellation – IMPORTANT – PLEASE READ

If you register but then are unable to attend, please cancel your registration. Events may be cancelled due to lack of attendance, as well as changes in weather or other circumstances.

If you must cancel at the last minute, call or text the event host/trip leader (see your confirmation email for contact details) and let her know who it is who is calling/texting.

To Cancel: Go to your Registration List

Click on this event in your list.
Click on the Already registered link under the REGISTER button.
At the next page that opens with your registration form, click on the CANCEL REGISTRATION button, and then again click on Cancel Registration on the pop-up form.
Ignore the link to contact the administrator.

Camping at Rocky Gap State Park - 2026 (28 May 2026)

Thu, 28 May 2026 19:00:00 GMT

Yay, camping!

We're heading to Rocky Gap State Park in Allegany County, MD for a long weekend of outdoor adventure including hiking, biking, canoeing and kayaking. This will be the Mid-Atlantic Region's first trip to Rocky Gap, but we hear from reliable sources that we'll love it.

We have lots of options for outdoor fun! Rocky Gap offers a variety of multi-use trails from easy to challenging to please all of our hikers. Bring your bike or boat to explore a little further afield or afloat.

Lake Habeeb, a 243-acre lake fed by Rocky Gap Run, offers many opportunities for fun on the water. Canoe, kayak and SUP boards are available to rent at the campground beach or at the day-use area. There are two public swimming beaches and fishing is also permitted with a Maryland fishing license.

Doggies are welcome to come on this camping trip.

Important: Rocky Gap State Park is very popular! If you're thinking of coming on this camping trip, you'll want to make your camping reservations as soon as possible. (See instructions below for the three-step process for registering for this camping trip.)

The camping cost is $21.50/night (non-electric) or $27.50/night (electric) plus a $6.25 reservation fee.

If camping isn't quite your thing but you'd still like to hang out with your WO Mid-Atlantic friends, consider making a reservation at the Comfort Inn and Suites, 1216 National Highway, LaVale, MD 21502, 301-729-6400.

To make things easier, everyone is responsible for bringing her own food for the weekend, but we'll designate one of our campsites as a place where we can all gather together in the evenings for dinner and a campfire.

We have scheduled this camping trip for three nights (Thursday - Sunday, May 28-31), but if you can only join us for one or two nights, please do!

Please do not bring firewood from home because of the potential threat of emerald ash borer and/or other invasive beetle species. Firewood can be purchased locally.

Alcoholic beverages are not allowed in the campgrounds at Rocky Gap State Park.

It's a three-step process to register for this camping trip:

1) Register with Women Outdoors first by clicking on the registration button on the left. As soon as you complete your Women Outdoors registration, you will receive an automatic email with the exact location where the trip leaders and others will be camping.

2) Reserve your campsite at Rocky Gap State Park through Maryland State Park Reservations or 888-432-2267.

3) Once you have a campsite reserved, please send an email to BOTH MidAtlantic@womenoutdoors.org AND Becky@womenoutdoors.org to let us know which site you have.

This overnight event is for Women Outdoors members only. If you would like to come on the camping trip and are not yet a member, please click on this Join Us link to become a member of Women Outdoors.

Everyone must agree to the Women Outdoors Assumption of Risk statement during the registration process.

Bring:

Tent, RV or camper van and all necessary camping gear
Any cooking supplies you'll need including camp stove and fuel
Food and drink for the weekend
Hat
Sunscreen/insect repellent
Outdoor gear such as hiking boots/poles, bike, kayak or canoe and PFD (required for boating), binoculars
Matches, fire starter. Bringing firewood from home is prohibited. Firewood must be purchased locally.
Trash bags

The automatic confirmation email will contain just a few details for this camping trip including the name of the loop and the campsites where the trip leaders will be camping. We will send out a follow-up email to everyone who has registered as we get closer to the trip.

RSVP and Cancellation – IMPORTANT – PLEASE READ

If you register but then are unable to attend, please cancel your registration with Women Outdoors.

To Cancel: Go to your Registration List

Click on this event in your list.
Click on the Already registered link under the REGISTER button.
At the next page that opens with your registration form, click on the CANCEL REGISTRATION button, and then again click on Cancel Registration on the pop-up form.
Ignore the link to contact the administrator.

June 2026 Women's Weekend at Cardigan Lodge in New Hampshire (19 Jun 2026)

Fri, 19 Jun 2026 19:00:00 GMT

June Women's Weekend at AMC's Cardigan Lodge, NH:
Hiking and Paddling

Dates: Friday, June 19 - Sunday June 21, 2026

REGISTRATION is Closing Monday May 18

Location: AMC's Cardigan Lodge,
774 Shem Valley Rd, Alexandria, New Hampshire

Fee: $220 per person for 2 nights lodging (bunk rooms or camping) and 6 meals.

Join Women Outdoors for a hiking and paddling adventure based at AMC's Cardigan Lodge, at the base of Mt. Cardigan in Alexandria, NH.

You must be a paid member and logged in to be able to register.

Registration will close on May 18th to reserve our spots.

Limit 50 people in the lodge, 4 at the campsite.

Lodging includes Friday dinner through Sunday lunch (they feed well!). (We will be providing our own Sunday lunch, there will be a food survey coming out closer to the date.)

You can sleep in a bunk room, or, if you camp at their nearby campsites, meals are still included at the dining hall and showers are available.

Bunk rooms are available on the 2nd and 3rd floors. You can let us know with whom you would like to share a room, and indicate if you can sleep on a top bunk, and if you need a 2nd floor room.

We plan to offer a variety of hikes with experienced leaders on Saturday (low elevation easier trail loops and more strenuous hiking to one or two of the summits). On Sunday there can be hiking, and also guided paddling with us on a flat section of the Pemigiwasset River, 26 minutes drive to the east.

Potentially we can bring a variety of single kayaks for you to rent at $30 each (2 weeks advance notice required, payment on site), or bring your own.

Registration MUST be paid in full through our Wild Apricot website (AffiniPay) or by check to secure your reservation. You must be a Women Outdoors member in good standing at the time of the event to attend.

Cancellation fee of $25 prior to May 18th.
PLEASE NOTE: If you have to cancel after May 18th you will need to find a WO member to take your spot or not receive a refund. This is AMCs policy for group reservations.

Weekend in HI Truro Hostel at Cape Cod National Seashore (26 Jun 2026)

Fri, 26 Jun 2026 04:00:00 GMT

Join us for a 3-day, 2 nights stay in HI Hostel in Truro located in the relatively secluded area within the Cape Cod National Seashore.

You will have the chance to take a walk on the beach, hike to the nearby cranberry bog, bike along the Cape Cod bike path, paddle in the Cape Cod Bay, take a swim, stop by the Salt Pond Visitor Center (in Eastham), gallery hop in nearby Wellfleet, amble down streets of Provincetown, accessible by bus. Bring your bike, your binoculars, and your kayak or paddle board (PFD is required).

Our walks and bike rides will range from beginner to intermediate. The Hostel lacks an elevator and is not accessible. Carpooling is recommended!

Plan to bring your own food; there are also a number of good restaurants nearby.

Where: HI Hostel Truro Situated the Cape Cod National Seashore
https://www.hiusa.org/find-hostels/massachusetts/truro-111-north-pamet-road

Cost is $70 per person for 2 nights for a total of $140 for the weekend. This includes access to the kitchen, sheets and towels, access to the beach, free Wi-Fi, free parking.
Our room sleeps up to 14 in bunkbeds and we are capping this at 12 WO members. The Hostel is co-ed and there is a large, shared kitchen with several tables.

Please note, you must be a member in good standing in WO and your room rental for the two nights will need to be paid in full by 4/21/26. We are unable to reimburse anyone for any cancellation after 4/21/26, regardless of the reason.

Mid-Atlantic Region's 17th Anniversary Celebration (27 Jun 2026)

Sat, 27 Jun 2026 14:30:00 GMT

17th anniversary hike and picnic and optional camping

Join your Women Outdoors Mid-Atlantic friends as we celebrate our 17th anniversary of outdoor fun and friendship with a hike and potluck picnic at Fort Frederick State Park in Washington County, MD. There's also an option to camp if you're interested.

The hike will be fairly flat and easy. We'll walk about 3-4 miles and stop along the way to explore the historic fort, Captain Wort's store, and the old Civilian Conservation Corps headquarters.

From the Fort Frederick website: "The centerpiece of the Fort Frederick State Park is the only stone fort built by a British colony during the French and Indian War. In its three century history, the fort has seen activity in four military conflicts, is one of Maryland's first state parks, and was a Civilian Conservation Corps camp in the 1930s. Built in 1756, the fort's stone wall and two barracks have been restored to their 1758 appearance."

After the hike, we'll gather at the picnic pavilion for a potluck picnic. We'll fire up the grill for burgers and hot dogs. BYOburger, hot dog, not dog, veggie burger or grillable item of your choice as well as a side dish or dessert to share.

Also bring your own mess kit, utensils and trash bag to carry out your trash and recyclables. Fort Frederick State Park is a trash-free park.

FYI - There are electrical outlets at the picnic shelter if you need to plug something in.

Not up for a hike? Join us around 12:30 p.m. for just the potluck picnic. When you register, just select the button saying you'll be there only for the picnic.

Doggies are welcome at this event and must be on leash at all times.

SPECIAL NOTE: There is a campground at Fort Frederick along the Potomac River. A few of our members have already decided to make a weekend out of it and will be camping at Fort Frederick. You will need to make your own reservations through parkreservations.maryland.gov. Campsites are $16/night + $6.25 reservation fee. Camping will not be an official Women Outdoors event.

This activity is open to members and non-members of Women Outdoors. Non-members are welcome to attend two WO events as guests. On your third event, we'll ask you to join the Mid-Atlantic Region of Women Outdoors. You can also join right now by clicking on this Join Us link.

Registration will close on Thursday, June 25th.

Bring:

Cash for entry fee: $3/vehicle for MD residents; $5/vehicle all other states
Snacks and water for the hike
Hat, sun block, insect repellent
Something to grill for yourself
Side dish or dessert to share with everyone
Water or other non-alcoholic beverage (we don't have an alcohol permit)
Mess kit or your own plate(s), bowl, napkin and utensils
Trash bag - Fort Frederick State Park is trash free. Everyone must take their trash and recycling home with them.
Optional: camp chair

Specific meeting location and inclement weather information. Your automatic confirmation email will provide the exact location where we will meet for the event. It will also provide information on possible cancellation if required by weather conditions. (Scroll all the way to the bottom of the email.)

Please respect the trip leaders and other members and arrive on time - 10:30 a.m.

The automatic confirmation email is the only email you will receive about this event. Be sure and save it or print it out because there may not be good cell service at the event location.

RSVP and Cancellation – IMPORTANT – PLEASE READ

If you register but then are unable to attend, please cancel your registration. Events may be cancelled due to lack of attendance, as well as changes in weather or other circumstances.

If you must cancel at the last minute, call or text the trip leader (see your confirmation email for contact details) and let her know who it is who is calling/texting.

To Cancel: Go to your Registration List

Click on this event in your list.
Click on the Already registered link under the REGISTER button.
At the next page that opens with your registration form, click on the CANCEL REGISTRATION button, and then again click on Cancel Registration on the pop-up form.
Ignore the link to contact the administrator.