If you’re curious about the outdoors, finding the right entry point can be a daunting task, with seemingly no end of organizations, programs, and gear. Finding a comfortable environment to try your first outdoor adventure can be particularly difficult for women, which is why St. Louis County Parks and Recreation is celebrating its fourth year of its Women in the Wild program.
“The organizers saw the disparity of women not having access to the outdoors,” says Laura MacLeod, park ranger and program team lead for Women in the Wild. “You always think of men going fishing, camping, and hunting, but women are kind of forgotten about in the outside world.”
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Since launching in 2023, the program has sold out of registration spots every year, even after the series added a few fall courses in 2025. Over time, Women In The Wild has expanded from four initial offerings to 14 courses from February through June 2026. Participants register on a per-course basis. Together, the courses cover a range of outdoor skills and activities, from campfire basics and cooking to kayaking and geocaching.
“We just want people to get outside, meet new people, and try something different,” MacLeod says, adding that the skill levels of participants ranges from beginners to intermediate and experienced outdoorswomen who want to expand upon their skills. “There are a lot of people who haven’t been out to hike at night or don’t know if they like camping. We want to build their confidence.”
The cost per course varies depending on the program and what’s included, ranging from around $8 per person for basic hiking classes to around $30 per person for camping, the price of which, MacLeod adds, includes breakfast, dinner, and activities. “It’s a pretty wide range, but it’s all very affordable,” she says. “You can’t get a campsite nowadays for $30, much less have food to go along with it.”
Although registration spots, which opened last week, are already selling out for 2026, MacLeod says many of the same programs offered through Women In The Wild are part of St. Louis County Parks & Recreation’s regular programming. If your favorite course is already full, MacLeod suggests checking Parks & Rec’s program calendar to see if it is part of the general public offerings.
“We do full moon paddles, floats on the Meramec River, a cliff cave tour… There’s 20-something opportunities available. If they can’t get into Women In The Wild, they can still take part in” she says. “Come out, have fun, and be open to some new adventures.”
St. Louis County Parks & Recreation’s Women In The Wild program is open to women ages 18 and older and requires preregistration for courses. For more information, visit tinyurl.com/womeninthewild2026, or contact MacLeod at [email protected].
