Fall 2024 Outdoor Adventure Trips

a small group smiles atop a viewpoint surrounded by fall colors

Link by Month:

Click on the links listed by date under each Outdoor Adventure Program (OAP) activity to get more information and to register.

Link by Activity:

September 2024

group floats in single kayaks together on a blue sky day with white fluffy clouds

Saturdays at the UMass Lowell (UML) Kayak Center

The UML Kayak Center is open to all on Saturdays in September from 1-6 p.m. Join us for flat-water river kayaking by yourself or with friends. 

Prices start at $20! No reservations needed. 

More information can be found on the UML Kayak Center website. Come enjoy the river right here at your university! 

Two women balance on surfboards while riding an ocean wave, smiling

Saturday, September 14 - Surfing at Rye, NH

  • Try your hand at a new sport - catching some waves on the ocean! The group will have a lesson with instructors from Summer Sessions, followed by more surfing as a group with the encouragement of your OAP trip leaders, before heading back to Lowell tired and happy. 
  • Cost $80. Registration deadline: Thursday, September 12
  • No experience or gear needed. Transportation provided. 1-hour professional lesson included.
  • Meets at 9 a.m. at the Outdoor Center and Bike Shop (5 Lawrence Dr. Lowell, MA 01854). Expected return by 5 p.m. 
  • Physical Exertion: Strenuous for short bursts
  • See our Surfing webpage for more information on the activity and location
  • Register online - September 14 - Surfing at Rye, NH
  • Group size minimum of 6 people, maximum 10. A waitlist is maintained once the trip is filled. Encourage your friends to join!
  • Fill out your Required OAP waiver and read our Cancellation Policy
one woman smiles in a kayak on the ocean with the shore behind her

Sunday, September 15 - Sea Kayaking at Plum Island, MA

  • Our trip leaders will take you on a safe and fun paddling experience on the Atlantic Coast near Plum Island, a great natural paradise on the MA coast with many migrating birds and beautiful coastal plants. 
  • Cost $35. Registration deadline: Thursday, September 12
  • No experience or gear needed. Transportation provided. Exact location may change depending on conditions.
  • Meets at 8 a.m. at the Bellegarde Boathouse (500 Pawtucket Blvd., Lowell, MA 01854). Expected return by 5 p.m. 
  • Physical Exertion: Medium to Strenuous, depending on conditions
  • See our Paddling webpage for more information on the activity and location
  • Register online - September 15 - Sea Kayaking at Plum Island, MA
  • Group size minimum of 6 people, maximum 10. A waitlist is maintained once the trip is filled. Encourage your friends to join!
  • Fill out your Required OAP waiver and read our Cancellation Policy
A group of 9 people smile at the top of an overlook with mountains and a pond beyond

Saturday, September 21 - Hiking at Kearsarge, NH

  • Get out in the woods with new friends before your classes get too busy! Kearsarge is a great mountain, welcoming and inviting with beautiful 360 degree views from the top. 
  • Cost $30. Registration deadline: Thursday, September 19
  • No experience or gear needed. Transportation provided. 
  • Meets at 8 a.m. at the Outdoor Center and Bike Shop (5 Lawrence Dr. Lowell, MA 01854). Expected return by 5 p.m. 
  • Physical Exertion: Medium
  • See our Hiking webpage for more information on the activity and location
  • Register online - September 21 - Hiking at Kearsarge Mtn, NH
  • Group size minimum of 6 people, maximum 10. A waitlist is maintained once the trip is filled. Encourage your friends to join!
  • Fill out your Required OAP waiver and read our Cancellation Policy
A woman wearing a helmet and harness climbs a rock and reaches up for a hold.

Sunday, September 22 - Climbing at Crow Hill, MA

  • Outdoor rock climbing is a great way to expand your comfort zone at your own pace. The skilled instructors will show you the ropes (literally!) and help you succeed whether you've never climbed or feel like you're on your way to expert level. It's also a great next step if you've tried indoor climbing and are looking to try real rock. 
  • Cost $82. Registration deadline: Thursday, September 19
  • No experience or gear needed. Transportation provided. 
  • Meets at 8 a.m. at the Outdoor Center and Bike Shop (5 Lawrence Dr. Lowell, MA 01854). Expected return by 5 p.m. 
  • Physical Exertion: Strenuous while climbing, with lots of relaxing between.
  • See our Rock Climbing webpage for more information on the activity and location
  • Register online - September 22 - Climbing at Crow Hill, MA
  • Group size minimum of 8 people, maximum 10. A waitlist is maintained once the trip is filled. Encourage your friends to join!
  • Fill out your Required OAP waiver and read our Cancellation Policy
one woman paddles a solo kayak on the ocean with a lighthouse behind her

Sunday, September 29 - Sea Kayaking near Gloucester, MA

  • Gloucester provides a ton of great options for paddling - the Annisquam River, the bay by Gloucester, the open ocean around Rockport. Our trip leaders will take you out to have a great time on the coast; exact location will be decided on by wind and ocean conditions. You might even see a harbor seal! 
  • Cost $35. Registration deadline: Thursday, September 26
  • No experience or gear needed. Transportation provided. 
  • Meets at 8 a.m. at the Bellegarde Boathouse (500 Pawtucket Blvd., Lowell, MA 01854). Expected return by 5 p.m. 
  • Physical Exertion: Medium to Strenuous, depending on conditions
  • See our Paddling webpage for more information on the activity and location
  • Register online - September 29 - Sea Kayaking near Gloucester, MA
  • Group size minimum of 6 people, maximum 10. A waitlist is maintained once the trip is filled. Encourage your friends to join!
  • Fill out your Required OAP waiver and read our Cancellation Policy

October 2024 

a group stands on a rocky outcrop while looking over a beautiful vista

Saturday, October 5 - Hiking at Cannon Mtn, NH

  • Besides being a highlight for downhill skiers, Cannon Mountain in Franconia Notch, NH is an absolutely gorgeous fall hike! Enjoy the changing colors as you hike up to the lovely vista in the crisp fall air. 
  • Cost $30. Registration deadline: Thursday, October 3
  • No experience or gear needed. Transportation provided. 
  • Meets at 8 a.m. at the Outdoor Center and Bike Shop (5 Lawrence Dr. Lowell, MA 01854). Expected return by 5 p.m. 
  • Physical Exertion: Medium to Strenuous
  • See our Hiking webpage for more information on the activity and location
  • Register online - October 5 - Hiking at Cannon Mtn, NH
  • Group size minimum of 6 people, maximum 10. A waitlist is maintained once the trip is filled. Encourage your friends to join!
  • Fill out your Required OAP waiver and read our Cancellation Policy
Two women smile wearing backpacking in the woods Image by Justin Yung

October 11-14 - Backpacking Trip to Appalachian Trail in Vermont

  • For your October long weekend, give backpacking a try with the OAP! Our trip leaders are psyched to get you out in the gorgeous Green Mountain of Vermont. If you haven't camped before, not to worry - this trip is welcoming to beginners. We'll pass over Stratton Mountain, with a great vista from the top and go on to enjoy a backpacking loop. Challenge level is higher, but this trip attainable for beginners.
  • Cost $95. Registration deadline: Sunday, September 29
  • No experience needed. Leadership, gear, food and transportation all provided. 
  • Required preparation meeting on Sunday, October 6 at 5 p.m.
  • Departs on Friday evening from the Outdoor Center and Bike Shop (5 Lawrence Dr. Lowell, MA 01854). Expected return by Monday at 5 p.m. 
  • Physical Exertion: Medium to Strenuous
  • See our Backpacking webpage for more information on the activity and location
  • Register online - Backpacking Trip to AT in Vermont
  • Group size minimum of 6 people, maximum 10. A waitlist is maintained once the trip is filled. Encourage your friends to join!
  • Fill out your Required OAP waiver and read our Cancellation Policy
a group of people stand on a boardwalk surrounded by tall sea grasses with a blue sky above

Sunday, October 20 - Wellness Day Hike to the Coast of MA

  • Enjoy a relaxing coastal hike. We'll head to the Parker River National Wildlife Refuge on Plum Island, MA. The trip leaders may choose to lead you in reflective activities, as well as some silly and fun games to help you center yourself before heading back to school. 
  • Pay What You Can - $10, $20, or $30. Registration deadline: Thursday, October 17
  • No experience or gear needed. Transportation provided. 
  • Meets at 10 a.m. at the Outdoor Center and Bike Shop (5 Lawrence Dr. Lowell, MA 01854). Expected return by 5 p.m. 
  • Physical Exertion: Light
  • See our Hiking webpage for more information on the activity and location
  • Register online - Wellness Day Hike to the Coast of MA
  • Group size minimum of 6 people, maximum 10. A waitlist is maintained once the trip is filled. Encourage your friends to join!
  • Fill out your Required OAP waiver and read our Cancellation Policy
outdoor adventure student on mountain top

Sunday, October 27 - Hiking at Mounts Jackson and Pierce, NH

  • Intermediate or experienced hikers only. Classic White Mountain peaks, Jackson and Pierce are both above 4,000 ft, so you can bag a few 4,000 foot-ers with us on this day! This loop trail on the Webster Jackson Trail and Crawford Path is just under 9 miles total and generally considered challenging, steep in places and with boulders. This is not appropriate for beginners or those without proper footwear (hiking shoes/boots with good tread).
  • Cost $30. Registration deadline: Thursday, October 24
  • No experience or gear needed. Transportation provided. 
  • Meets at 7 a.m. at the Outdoor Center and Bike Shop (5 Lawrence Dr. Lowell, MA 01854). Expected return by 7 p.m. 
  • Physical Exertion: Strenuous. Prerequisite: hiked with us before or have equivalent experience. 
  • See our Hiking webpage for more information on the activity and location
  • Register online - October 27 - Hiking at Mt Jackson and Pierce, NH
  • Group size minimum of 6 people, maximum 10. A waitlist is maintained once the trip is filled. Encourage your friends to join!
  • Fill out your Required OAP waiver and read our Cancellation Policy

November 2024

WFR group photo

Saturday-Sunday, November 2-3 - Wilderness First Aid course

  • The Wilderness First Aid (WFA) course presented by SOLO Wilderness Medicine is two days long (16 hours) and teaches a basic level of first aid training in the wilderness context. This course is for those who enjoy going on short wilderness trips and are seeking to gain a better understanding of how to manage and treat a variety of medical issues in the wilderness context. This course is open to the public. 
  • Cost: Starts at $200. CPR and Housing optional add-ons. 
  • No experience or gear needed. Meets each day at 8 a.m. at the Outdoor Center and Bike Shop (5 Lawrence Dr. Lowell, MA 01854). Expected finish by 5 p.m. 
  • See more and register on our Workshops and Certifications webpage for more information on the activity and location
group of students smiling at the top of Monadnock Mountain with panoramic view beyond Image by Libby McGrosky

Sunday, November 3 - Hiking at Monadnock, NH

  • Monadnock, sometimes claimed to be the second most climbed mountain in the world (behind Mt Fuji in Japan!) is a classic New England hike. The trail is well-tracked and it has amazing views in all directions from the top. 
  • Cost: $30. Registration deadline: Thursday, October 17
  • No experience or gear needed. Transportation provided. 
  • Meets at 8 a.m. at the Outdoor Center and Bike Shop (5 Lawrence Dr. Lowell, MA 01854). Expected return by 5 p.m. 
  • Physical Exertion: Medium
  • See our Hiking webpage for more information on the activity and location
  • Register online - November 3 - Hiking at Monadnock, NH
  • Group size minimum of 6 people, maximum 10. A waitlist is maintained once the trip is filled. Encourage your friends to join!
  • Fill out your Required OAP waiver and read our Cancellation Policy
a group of nine stands with backpacking on in front of a shelter, ready to hike

November 8-11 - Long Weekend Backpacking Trip to Mt Greylock, the Highest Point in MA!

  • Enjoy your Veterans Day Weekend on the Appalachian Trail where it crosses Massachusett's highest point! Mt Greylock is a great destination with views all around and wonderful wilderness to explore. Challenge level is higher as the weather will be colder, but this trip attainable for beginners.
  • Cost: only $95! Registration deadline: Sunday, October 27
  • No experience needed. Leadership, gear, food and transportation all provided. 
  • Required preparation meeting on Sunday, October 6 at 5 p.m.
  • Departs on Friday evening from the Outdoor Center and Bike Shop (5 Lawrence Dr. Lowell, MA 01854). Expected return by Monday at 5 p.m. 
  • See our Backpacking webpage for more information on the activity and location
  • Register online - November 8-11 - Backpacking to Mt Greylock, MA
  • Group size minimum of 6 people, maximum 10. A waitlist is maintained once the trip is filled. Encourage your friends to join!
  • Fill out your Required OAP waiver and read our Cancellation Policy

Future and Past Trips

Future Trips

Have a say! Do you have ideas or opinions on what trips you would like to see in the future? Please fill out our quick survey: 

Outdoor Adventure Program Feedback survey

Archived Trips

Please visit our Archived Trips page for a taste of recent trips that are already completed.

Contact Us

Contact Kate Ford, Outdoor Programs Coordinator, with any questions, concerns, or ideas for fun new trips at kate_ford@uml.edu.

Man wearing backpack standing near stream pointing at camera with smile Image by Daniel Cremin

Becoming a Trip Leader

Do you see yourself leading awesome adventures for UMass Lowell? Read more at our Becoming a Trip Leader page.