Staunton’s Guided Outdoor Adventures 

Do you have a free weekend coming up but have no idea how to fill it? Do you want to learn a new outdoor skill, but don’t know where to start? If you’re excited about outdoor adventure but struggling with the details, let someone else take charge. Here are some Staunton spring outdoor adventures where experienced guides have gathered the equipment, mapped the route, and planned the activities. All you need to do is show up and have fun! And don’t forget to use Staunton places to stay as your home base for all these great guided adventures!

Horseback Riding

Choose your adventure in the saddle at the family-owned North Mountain Outfitter. Sign up for half or full-day guided rides on wooded trails winding through George Washington National Forest. North Mountain Outfitter also offers exciting all-inclusive getaway weekends such as Couples Weekends, Cowgirl Weekends, and Shotguns and Saddles. The Shotguns and Saddles itinerary includes a ride on a well-behaved and sweet horse and a chance to blast clay pigeons out of the sky with a shotgun. Overnight guests enjoy comfortable lodging, rides with a knowledgeable guide, delicious ranch-style meals, and entertainment.

Star B Stables provides horse enthusiasts with another opportunity to saddle up and explore picturesque Augusta County. Rides last an hour and are easy to combine with other nearby activities. Riders of any experience level over the age of six are welcome. You’ll hold your own reins, but someone else will lead you.

Hiking

The forest is calling! Get back in touch by signing up for a naturalist-guided afternoon hike in George Washington National Forest. Enchanted Nature Tours will select a trail suited to your group’s particular abilities. Hikes include lunch and educational demonstrations. They can be customized with lodging, additional meals, transportation, and entertainment. Enchanted Nature Tours also offers mushroom classes led by certified mycologists. You’ll learn fungi identification, cultivation, and how to prepare your bounty for consumption.

For a unique hike, sign up for the Walk-a-Paca tour at Point of View Alpaca Farm. Not only will you learn about alpaca care and history, you’ll also get paired with one and get to lead it on the 1.5-mile stroll around the property. Expect beautiful views, chances to take selfies, and lots of alpaca personality. The alpacas’ names are charmingly Beatles-themed, and there’s a gift shop to buy products made from alpaca fiber.

On the Water

Learn a fun sport and interact with the aquatic environment when you reserve a spot in an upcoming SUP Shenandoah Standup Paddle Boarding eco-tour. Choose from introductory mini-lessons on the South River, a sunset tour, or an eco-tour during the day or by the light of a full moon. SUP Shenandoah hopes to make paddleboarding accessible for everyone. Not only will they provide equipment and transportation, but they’ll also guide you to the best places, and provide instruction so that even people who’ve never tried the sport before can learn and have fun. 

Middle River Outfitters’ patient and experienced guides will help you learn everything from the most basic fishing skills to casting your line like a pro. Sign up for lessons on how to select lures and flies, cast, and land trophy fish from a boat, the shore, or the river. Middle River Outfitters knows where to find the fish, too. They will guide you to popular destinations like the South Fort of the Shenandoah or Mossy Creek and to trout waters on private land. Sign up for a half or full-day trip or consider booking a three-day fishing adventure to nab trophy fish high in the mountains!

More Adventure

Find your next outdoor adventure with Vivid Earth Adventures. Experienced guides provide instruction for white water canoeing, caving, rock and tree climbing, rappelling, and various outdoor skills. You’ll learn about safety systems, navigation, and much more, tailored to your needs and experience level. Vivid Earth will also work with you to design longer, customized trips.

You’ve probably already toured the commercial cave system at Grand Caverns, but did you know that there’s much, much more to explore beyond what you see on the walking tour? Sign up for a Fountain Cave Adventure Tour and learn the secrets left behind by millions of years of water running through soft limestone. While still under the care of a guide, you’ll crawl and squeeze through tight spaces to access rooms and impressive geological formations.

Whether it’s your first visit or you’ve visited before, you’ll definitely find something to entertain and educate you in Staunton’s outdoor adventure scene!